Watch: Tonight at 19:00 CEST, the first renewed edition of the Intervision Song Contest will take place live from Moscow, the capital of Russia! 23 countries will compete tonight for first place in the new competition! A link to watch the broadcast – Below.
Tonight at 19:00 CEST, the Intervision Song Contest returns for the first time since 2008, Russia’s alternative to the Eurovision, following the country’s expulsion from Eurovision in 2022. Russia, the state that conceived the competition, is the first to host it on its own territory. The contest will be streamed on VK Video, while broadcast on the Russian national broadcaster Channel 1 will begin 30 minutes later.
This year, 23 countries will compete for first place: Belarus, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, and the host nation – Russia.
During the interval act, Polina Gagarina, Russia’s representative at Eurovision 2015, is set to perform her song “A Million Voices”, Delegates from other participating countries are expected to join her, singing the song in their respective native languages.
Polina Gagarina performs her song “A Million Voices” in the Grand Final of Eurovision 2015 in Vienna, Austria.
To watch the full broadcast live on VK Video starting at 19:00 CEST – click here!
To watch the delayed broadcast on Russian national broadcaster Channel 1 starting at 19:30 CEST – click here!
Intervision: The East Seeks an Alternative
As previously mentioned on the EuroMix website, the Intervision Song Contest is not a new invention. It was born in the 1970s as the Eastern European version of Eurovision, featuring participation from Soviet Bloc countries such as Poland, Hungary, East Germany, and, of course, the Soviet Union. The event took place in Sopot, Poland, between 1977 and 1980, but it never managed to match Eurovision’s level of influence.
Attempts to revive the competition occasionally surfaced after its collapse, including a failed effort in Sochi in 2008. Now, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its suspension from Eurovision since 2022, the Kremlin has decided it is time to recreate a musical platform that can compete with Eurovision, and even overshadow it.
Intervision’s Vision vs. Eurovision’s Reality
Proponents of Intervision claim the competition will offer a “politics-free” alternative – contrasting with Eurovision, which they argue has become less about music and more combative in the geopolitical arena over time. Moscow believes that through a combination of glittering production, advanced technology, and strategic partnerships with countries in the Far East, the new competition can attract viewers and establish itself as a significant rival to Eurovision.
However, there is a major caveat – not everyone is optimistic about Intervision’s prospects. Experts note that Eurovision is not merely a music competition but a cultural institution with nearly 70 years of tradition. To match it – let alone compete with it – Russia will need not only to stage a lavish spectacle but also to attract Western countries willing to participate. Additionally, many view Intervision as another political maneuver by the Kremlin, designed to isolate Russia from the West and forge a new cultural front comprising Moscow’s allies.
Running Order of Intervision 2025:
Song Number 1: Cuba – Zulema Iglesias Salazar – “Guaguancó” (in English: “Guaguancó”)
Song Number 2: Kyrgyzstan – The NOMAD Trio – “Jalgiz saga” (in English: “Jalgiz’s saga”)
Song Number 3: China – Wang Xi – “On the road”
Song Number 4: Egypt – Mustafa Saad – “بين البنات” (in English: “Among All the Girls”)
Song Number 5: United States of America – VASSY – “Midnight”
Song Number 6: Kenya – Sanaipei Tande – “FLAVOUR”
Song Number 7: Kazakhstan – Әmre – “Steppe Light”
Song Number 8: United Arab Emirates – Saif Alali – “دعوة لالسلام” (in English: “A Call for Peace”)
Song Number 9: Russia – SHAMAN – “Straight to the heart”
Song Number 10: Brazil – Luciano Calazans and Tais Nader – “Pipoca com Amor” (in English: “Popcorn With Love”)
Song Number 11: Tajikistan – Farrukh Hasanov – “Burn!”
Song Number 12: Qatar – Dana Al Meer – “هو ذا أنت” (in English: “It’s You”)
Song Number 13: Madagascar – Denise & D-Lain – “I Want The Best For Us”
Song Number 14: Saudi Arabia – Zena Emad – “مجرد همّ” (in English: “Only a Concern”)
Song Number 15: Colombia – Nidia Góngora – “En Los Manglares” (in English: “In the Mangroves”)
Song Number 16: Ethiopia – Netsanet Sultan – “Halaala”
Song Number 17: Venezuela – Omar Acedo – “La Fiesta de la Paz”
Song Number 18: Serbia – Slobodan Trkulja & Balkanopolis – “Three little roses”
Song Number 19: South Africa – Mzansi Jikelele group – “Home”
Song Number 20: Vietnam – Đức Phúc – “Phù Đổng Thiên Vương” (in English: “Phù Đổng’s Sky King”)
Song Number 21: Belarus – Nastya Kravchenko – “Motylek” (in English: “Butterfly”)
Song Number 22: Uzbekistan – Shokhrukh Ganiev – “Milliy Terma” (in English: “National Team”)
Song Number 23: India – Rauhan Malik – “Love”
