Malmö Messages: three eurovision icons open festival

photo: EBU/RTBF Belgium has chosen Essyla to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The announcement was made on 19 February 2026 by Belgian broadcaster RTBF, who revealed both the artist and the song for this year’s contest in Vienna, Austria. Essyla will perform the song “Dancing on the Ice” on the Eurovision stage in May. The track was co‑written by Essyla alongside Nicolas d’Avell and Emil Stengele, with lyrics by Essyla and Barbara Petitjean. It carries a message of hope and resilience, framed around youth and the determination to keep moving forward despite challenges. From The Voice Belgique to Eurovision Originally from Perwez in Walloon Brabant, Essyla first became known to the public during the ninth season of The Voice Belgique, where she reached the final. Her early musical journey began with forming her own band at a young age and later studying voice at the IMEP music institute in Namur. Her style blends influences from French chansons, jazz, folk, rock and funk, creating a distinct pop‑centric sound that has attracted attention across Belgium. Before Eurovision, Essyla released singles like Let You Go and Not My Kind of Dude, and followed these with her debut EP I’ll Be Okay. Through her lyrics, she often explores themes of personal identity, empowerment and emotional honesty. A Significant Selection for Belgium Essyla’s selection marks a notable moment for Belgium at Eurovision. She is the first solo female artist to represent the country at the contest this decade, following a series of male solo artists. The 2026 contest also carries symbolic weight: it marks the 70th anniversary of Belgium’s participation in Eurovision, having debuted in the very first contest in 1956. Belgium’s sole win came in 1986 with J’aime la Vie by Sandra Kim. In May, Belgium will compete in the Eurovision semi‑finals with hopes of securing a place in the Grand Final and showcasing Essyla’s ambitious and uplifting entry on the international stage.