Montenegro’s national broadcaster confirms its return to Eurovision 2025, launching Montesong 2024 to select the next representative.
Montenegro’s national broadcaster, RTCG, has confirmed the country’s return to Eurovision in 2025 after a two-year hiatus. This decision marks a significant comeback for the small Balkan nation, which last participated in the contest in 2022. Montenegro will select its representative through a national final, “Montesong 2024,” with the winning act set to perform in Switzerland next May.
A New Beginning with Montesong 2024
After stepping away from Eurovision due to financial constraints, Montenegro is making a strong return. RTCG has outlined the rules for Montesong 2024, the national competition that will determine the country’s Eurovision entry. This move signals a renewed commitment to the contest and a desire to showcase Montenegrin talent on an international stage.
Artists interested in competing can submit their entries from now until October 1, 2024. The rules stipulate that performers must hold Montenegrin citizenship, and at least 51% of the song’s lyrics must be in one of Montenegro’s official languages. A panel of judges will evaluate the submissions, scoring them based on melody (50 points), lyrics (30 points), and production (20 points). Only songs that achieve a minimum of 75 points will advance to the final stage of Montesong 2024.
If no song meets the required threshold, RTCG reserves the right to internally select an artist to represent Montenegro at Eurovision 2025.
The competition will feature up to 16 songs, with the final winner chosen through a combination of public and jury votes. Although the exact date for the Montesong 2024 final has not been announced, it is expected to take place by the end of the year.
Montenegro’s return to Eurovision is eagerly anticipated by fans and the EBU. Montenegro debuted as an independent nation in Eurovision in 2007. Despite several non-qualifications and financial challenges, the country has remained a passionate participant. The country’s last appearance in the contest was marked by Vladana, who performed “Breathe” in Turin in 2022 but failed to qualify for the Grand Final. Montenegro’s best result came in 2015 when Knez placed 13th with the song “Adio.”
Montenegro in Eurovision 2022
“Breathe” is the name of the song performed by singer Vladana, who represented Montenegro in the second semi-final of Eurovision 2022. The song was written by Vladana herself along with Darko Dimitrov, who has composed 11 songs for the competition over the years for Albania, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro. Dimitrov’s most successful entry is “Proud,” which represented North Macedonia in Eurovision 2019 and reached seventh place. “Breathe” was performed in English and Italian and was dedicated to Vladana’s mother, who had passed away a year earlier from COVID-19. Vladana only reached 17th place (second to last) in the second semi-final with just 33 points. This is one of the most disappointing results Montenegro has experienced in the competition.
Source: RTCG
Eurovision 2025: This will be Montenegro’s 13th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Montenegro joined the competition in 2007 achieved its best result in Eurovision 2015 when singer Knez finished in 13th place with the song “Adio”.
