OMSC 14

Online Music Song Contest 14, often referred to as OMSC 14, was the fourteenth edition of Online Music Song Contest, held in Reykjavík, after Iceland won the previous edition of the contest.

The Semi-Finals of OMSC 14 occured on the 30ᵗʰ May 2021 while the Final occured on the 6ᵗʰ June 2021. Forty-one* countries participated in the fourteenth contest, under the slogan “Always Together!”.

Location
After it's victory in the previous edition, the broadcaster RÚV chose to host the contest in the capital of Iceland, Reykjavík, the largest city of the country which has a population of 131,000 inhabitants. Reykjavík is located in the southwest of Iceland and because of its latitude, it's the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state. The Reykjavík area coastline is characterized by peninsulas, coves, straits, and islands. The largest river to run through Reykjavík is the Elliðaá River, which is non-navigable. It offers salmon fishing within the city limits. Mount Esja is the highest mountain in the vicinity of Reykjavík. It is the center of Iceland's cultural, economic, and governmental activity, and is a popular tourist destination. It is also among the cleanest, greenest, and safest cities in the world.

The first permanent settlement in Iceland by Norsemen is believed to have been established at Reykjavík by Ingólfr Arnarson around AD 870; Ingólfur is said to have decided the location of his settlement using a traditional Norse method: he cast his high seat pillars (Öndvegissúlur) into the ocean when he saw the coastline, then settled where the pillars came to shore. This story is widely regarded as a legend; it appears likely that he settled near the hot springs to keep warm in the winter and would not have decided the location by happenstance.

Steam from hot springs in the region is said to have inspired Reykjavík's name, which loosely translates to Smoke Cove. The original name was Reykjarvík but this had vanished around 1800. The city was founded in 1785 as an official trading town and grew steadily over the following decades, as it transformed into a regional and later national centre of commerce, population, and governmental activities.

Icelandic nationalist sentiment gained influence in the 19ᵗʰ century, and the idea of Icelandic independence became widespread. Reykjavík, as Iceland's only city, was central to such ideas. Advocates of an independent Iceland realized that a strong Reykjavík was fundamental to that objective. In 1874, Iceland was given a constitution; with it, Alþingi gained some limited legislative powers and in essence became the institution that it is today. The next step was to move most of the executive power to Iceland: Home Rule was granted in 1904 when the office of Minister For Iceland was established in Reykjavík. The biggest step towards an independent Iceland was taken on the 1ˢᵗ December 1918 when Iceland became a sovereign country under the Crown of Denmark, the Kingdom of Iceland.

On the morning of the 10ᵗʰ May 1940, following the German occupation of Denmark and Norway, four British warships approached Reykjavík and anchored in the harbour. In a few hours, the allied occupation of Reykjavík was complete. The Icelandic government had received many requests from the British government to consent to the occupation, but it always declined. For the remaining years of World War II, British and later American soldiers occupied camps in Reykjavík, and the economic effects of the occupation were positive for Reykjavík: the unemployment of the Depression years vanished, and construction work began. The British built Reykjavík Airport, which remains in service today, mostly for short haul flights. In 1944, the Republic of Iceland was founded and a president, elected by the people, replaced the king; the office of the president was placed in Reykjavík.

Participants
Forty-two countries participated in the thirteenth edition of the contest: fifteen European countries (Åland Islands, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Iceland, Italy, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom), twelve Asian countries (Azerbaijan, China, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Vietnam), eight American countries (Aruba, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States of America), four Oceanian countries (Australia, French Polynesia, Micronesia, New Zealand) and four African countries (Eritrea, Libya, Réunion, Senegal).

In this edition Bosnia and Herzegovina, Eritrea, Guernsey, Réunion, Senegal, Suriname, Taiwan and Trinidad and Tobago participated for the first time.

Returning Artists
This edition featured five representatives who had performed previously as lead vocalists for a country in the contest.

R3HAB represented Lebanon in the sixth edition of the contest, together with Now United, with the song "One Love" sung in English, which placed 2ⁿᵈ out of 27 participating countries with 91 points. In this occasion, he represented Norway, together with Alida, with the song "One More Dance", sung in English again, trying to win the contest!

Rayhon represented Uzbekistan in the twelfth edition of the contest with her song "Hamma Jam (Хамма Жам)" sung entirely in Uzbek, which placed 39ᵗʰ out of 44 participating countries with 37 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final. In this occasion, she represented Uzbekistan again, with her song "Alda (Алда)", sung in Uzbek again, trying to score a better result!

Annalisa represented Italy at its debut in the fourth edition, with her song "Tsunami" sung in Italian, which placed 7ᵗʰ out of 38 participating countries with 69 points. She returned to the contest in the eleventh edition, when she represented Vatican at its second participation, with the song "Avocado Toast" sung in Italian, which placed 36ᵗʰ out of 38 participating countries with 39 points, without unfortunately qualifying for the final. In this occasion she was selected to represent Italy again, this time with her song "Bye Bye", sung in Italian as well, trying to score a better result!

Alba August represented Denmark in the previous edition of the contest with her song "Lights" sung entirely in English, which placed 5ᵗʰ out of 42 participating countries with 101 points, scoring Denmark's best result so far. In this occasion, she represented Sweden, with her song "Killing Time", sung in English again, trying to score a better result!

Sheppard represented Australia in the fourth edition of the contest with the song "Brand New" sung in English, which placed 27ᵗʰ out of 38 participating countries with 57 points, in its semi-final. In this occasion, they represented Australia again, with their song "Die Young", sung in English again, trying to qualify for the final and to score a better result!

National Selections
Germany, Iceland and the Philippines used a National Selection to determine the country's representative for OMSC 14.

Kanta ng Pilipinas (OMSC 14)
Main article: Kanta ng Pilipinas (OMSC 14)

Withdrawing Countries
These countries confirmed their non-participation in the fourteenth edition of the contest:

• Belgium – Belgian broadcasters VRT and RTBF confirmed on the 16ᵗʰ May 2021 that Belgium would not take part in the fourteenth edition of the contest.

• Denmark – Danish broadcaster Danmarks Radio (DR) announced the country's withdrawal immediately after the submission period started, on the 16ᵗʰ May 2021, despite scoring a very good result in the previous edition.

• Romania – Televiziunea Română (TVR) announced on the 16ᵗʰ May 2021 the country's withdrawal from the contest, for unknown reasons.

• Russia – Russia's broadcaster announced on the 16ᵗʰ May 2021 that despite scoring a very good result in the previous edition, Russia would not take part in the fourteenth edition of the contest.

• Serbia – Serbia did not appear on the list of participants published on the 23ʳᵈ May 2021.