Montenegro will return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025
16 August 2024 at 16:30 CESTRTCG announces its Eurovision return for Switzerland 2025.
Turin 2022 was the last time we got to enjoy some Montenegrin music at the Eurovision Song Contest, when Vladana competed with her song Breathe.
Now, Radio i Televizija Crne Gore (RTCG) has confirmed that its Adio was only temporary, and we can look forward to welcoming Montenegro back when the Contest rolls into Switzerland in 2025.
It will be the country's 13th participation at the Eurovision Song Contest since its debut appearance at Helsinki 2007. Prior to that, it had competed as part of Serbia & Montenegro in 2004 and 2005.
Since its first participation in 2007, Montenegro has qualified to the Grand Final twice, with its highest placing being 13th in 2015, courtesy of the song Adio, performed by Knez.
The broadcaster has announced that not only will Montenegro be making a comeback to the Eurovision Song Contest next year, but that it has already laid out plans for a brand-new national final to select its entry for Switzerland 2025.
Creative Director at RTCG, Vladana Vucinic, who was also Montenegro’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, had this to say about the country's return:
"We are thrilled that Montenegro is returning to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025. After several years of absence, this is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase our country's rich cultural diversity on the European stage. Our representative will be selected through a national competition called 'Montesong', which will be organised in collaboration with the Association of Performing Artists and Entertainers of Montenegro. This partnership is designed to encourage as many Montenegrin performers as possible to participate. Our goal is to promote new musical talents and reconnect with the wider European audience. We believe this will mark the beginning of a new and successful era for Montenegro at the Eurovision Song Contest."
Vladana also offered more guidance for composers and performers wishing to compete in Montesong:
"While composers can be from any country, the performers must be Montenegrin citizens. The lyrics of the songs must be written at least 51% in the official languages used in Montenegro. Composers are required to submit a final or high-quality demo recording of their song, up to three minutes in length, featuring the performer who will perform the song at the competition. The submission must include a five-digit code under which the composition will undergo the selection process. The deadline for submissions is October 1, 2024."
Interested composers and artists can find more details on RTCG's website.
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