Portugal was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1979 with the song "Sobe, sobe, balão sobe", written by Carlos Nóbrega e Sousa, and performed by Manuela Bravo. The Portuguese participating broadcaster Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP) selected its entry at the Festival RTP da Canção 1979.
Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP) held the Festival RTP da Canção 1979 at the Cinema Monumental in Lisbon, hosted by José Fialho Gouveia and Manuela Moura Guedes. The musical director was Thilo Krasmann.
Three semi-finals held on 3, 10, and 17 February narrowed the final selection from 27 eligible songs to nine; the top three winners in each of the three heats were chosen by a jury composed of 5 elements, each of them would have to score each song from 1 to 5 points depending on their analysis of each of the themes in the competition.[1] The regional juries came back, with twenty-two regional juries throughout Portugal, the Azores and the Madeira Islands picking the winner. Each district could vote for each song from zero to 10 points.
The final was held on 23 February, and the winning entry was "Sobe, sobe, balão sobe", written by Carlos Nóbrega e Sousa [pt] and performed by Manuela Bravo.
Manuela Bravo was the first performer on the night of the contest, preceding Italy. At the close of the voting the song had received 64 points, placing 9th in a field of 19 competing countries.[2] It was the highest ranking Portugal had received since 1972.
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