A surprise in the preparations for Eurovision in Basel: Azerbaijan’s 2020 and 2021 representative is expected to take part in one of the interval acts at Eurovision 2025! When will the artist perform? All the details inside.

Yesterday (Tuesday), during a press conference, the Swiss national broadcaster SRG SSR unveiled further information about the opening and interval acts for Eurovision 2025. At the event, the identity of Samira Efendi, Azerbaijan’s representative at Eurovision 2020 and 2021, was also revealed – she will perform in one of the interval acts during the contest! This announcement marks the first time, following the selection of local artists, that a non-Swiss artist has confirmed her appearance in the interval acts of the competition. Full details follow in the article.

Samira Efendi: The First Non-Swiss Interval Performer in Basel

During the press conference, it was revealed that the artist set to perform in one of the interval acts is none other than Samira Efendi, Azerbaijan’s representative at Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with the song “Cleopatra”. After the contest was cancelled that year, she was chosen to represent Azerbaijan again at Eurovision 2021, also in Rotterdam, with the song “Mata Hari”, which finished in 20th place.

It has not yet been announced whether Efendi will perform in the first semi-final, the second semi-final, or the grand final. However, based on the allocation by Eurovision 2025 show director Yves Schifferle, it is likely she will appear during the second semi-final.

Efendi appears to be the first artist to cross Swiss borders among the planned performances for the contest. Just a few days ago, the list of local artists who will fill the stage at the beginning or during the show nights was revealed. Among them are 45 performers who will showcase traditional, modern, and intergenerational Switzerland in the opening act of the first semi-final. A distinguished list of past Swiss Eurovision representatives was also announced, including Paola Del Medico (Switzerland 1969 and 1980), Peter Reber from the trio Peter, Sue & Marc (Switzerland 1971, 1976, 1979, and 1981), Luca Hänni (Switzerland 2019), and Gjon’s Tears (Switzerland 2020 and 2021).

Samira Efendi – Who Are You?

Samira Efendiyeva, 33, has participated over the years in popular Azerbaijani music television shows such as “Yeni ulduz, Böyük Səhnə” (3rd place) and “The Voice of Azerbaijan” (3rd place). In 2017, she competed in the international contest “Silk Way Star” in Kazakhstan, where she placed third, and in 2019 she participated in the international “Voice of Nur-Sultan” competition, also held in Kazakhstan. Efendi was selected to represent Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with the song “Cleopatra.” After the contest was canceled that year, she was chosen to represent her country again the following year at Eurovision 2021 with the song “Mata Hari,” which finished in 20th place.

Watch Efendi’s performance of “Mata Hari” in the Eurovision 2021 Grand Final:

Source: SRG SSR.

Eurovision 2025: This will be Switzerland’s 65th participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Switzerland joined the competition in 1956, being one of the seven founding countries, and has won three times over the years. Its most recent victory was at the last Eurovision in 2025, with Nemo’s song “The Code.” This win follows Switzerland’s previous victory in 1988 with the song “Ne partez pas sans moi,” performed by international singer Céline Dion.