Portugal was represented at theEurovision Song Contest 1993 with the song "A cidade (até ser dia)", written by Pedro Abrantes, Marco Quelhas, andPaulo de Carvalho, and performed byAnabela. The Portuguese participating broadcaster,Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP), selected its entry at theFestival da Canção 1993.
The format for the 1993 Portuguese selection was similar to that of the previous year, but with a few adjustments. Once again, there would be five semi-finals, and the qualifiers were chosen by a panel of five judges (among them former Eurovision participantsFernando Tordo, who competed in1973, andDulce Pontes, who competed in1991; and future Eurovision participantRita Guerra, who would represent her country in2003). However, there were now four songs in each semi, and the top eight songs across all five semi-finals would compete in the final. The semi-finals were hosted byJúlio Isidro.
The final was held on 11 March 1993 at the São Luiz Theatre inLisbon and was hosted by António Sala and Margarida Mercês de Medo. The winner was decided through the votes of 22 regional juries.
The winner was "A cidade (até ser dia)," sung by Anabela and written by Pedro Abrantes, former Eurovision entrantPaulo de Carvalho, and Marco Quelhas. The song was arranged by the song writer's brotherFernando Abrantes, who also performed it at the piano live on stage together with the singer Anabela during the Eurovision final in Ireland.
Anabela performed 11th on the night of the contest, followingAustria and precedingFrance. She received 60 points in total, placing 10th in a field of 25.[1] It was the first time since 1976 that Portugal received twelve points from any other countries, with both the Netherlands and Spain awarding Portugal their highest score.[citation needed] Portugal themselves awarded twelve points to France.
Portugal
