PORTUGAL – When not even a week has passed since the controversial final of the Benidorm Fest was held, Tanxugueiras, the trio of Galician pandeireteiras formed by Aida Tarrío and the twin sisters Olaia and Sabela Maneiro, is still very current. And it is that, as they themselves sing in the lyrics of their song ‘Terra’, “veñen pra stay” (“they come to stay”).

After the controversial election of Chanel and her song ‘SloMo’ to represent Spain in the Italian city of Turin in the next Eurovision Song Contest, the Galician group has become even more famous, this time, beyond our borders, precisely in the neighbouring country: Portugal.

There are not a few voices from the Portuguese country that support Tanxugueiras to participate in the Festival da Cançao, from which the Portuguese representative for Eurovision will come out. This festival will celebrate its grand finale on March 12, after the broadcast of the two previous semifinals, on March 5 and 7 respectively.

“We want as Galicians”

“Go more Galician, sondes as my true winners! Now we want the Tanxugueiras to represent PORTUGAL at Eurovision 2022… Non hai fronteiras” (“Galician sisters, you are my true winners! Now we want the Tanxugueiras to represent PORTUGAL in Eurovision 2022 … Non hai fronteiras”), wrote a Portuguese twitterer.

Many other people from the neighbouring country also supported this idea with a clear and forceful message “We want Galician women” (“We want Galician women”).

Even Salvador Sobral, the winner of Eurovision 2017 blurted out a “Vou cas galegas. Viva as galegas” (“I’m going with the Galician girls. Long live the Galician girls”) after her performance at the Benidorm Fest. Without a doubt, it would be an authentic act of poetic justice.

However, and despite the popular support in the Portuguese country, it is impossible for the Galicians to compete in the aforementioned festival since the deadline for presenting the candidacies expired months ago and the candidate songs to represent Portugal have already been chosen.

Despite popular support, the Galician women will not be able to compete in the Portuguese Festival da Cançao

Tanxugueiras sings traditional Galician music but tries to give it a more modern sound, close to pop. His theme ‘Terra’ is a vibrant proposal that leaves no one indifferent. They were the most voted by the public, a source of pride for Galicia and a shame for Spain.

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