Will we be seeing Montenegro back at Eurovision in 2025?
In a recent document published by Montenegrin broadcaster RTCG, “Montesong 2024” is mentioned, and its rules have been outlined. There is speculation that this will serve as Montenegro’s new national final for Eurovision 2025.
The document states that the submissions window closes on October 1st, 2024, and that all of the songs submitted must contain over 50% of its lyrics in one of the official languages of Montenegro. The document also says that all persons submitting an entry must hold Montenegrin nationality.
Once the submissions window has closed, a committe (that has been set up by the broadcaster) will review all of the submissions, and select 16 songs that will go on to compete in “Montesong 2024”.
The committee members will score each song out of 100 points, with a maximum of 50 points for composition, 30 points for lyrics and 20 points for production. A song must achieve at least 75 points in order to progress to the competition. If no songs reach 75 points or more, the broadcaster reserves the right to internally select their Eurovision 2025 representative.
Back in January 2024, the Montenegrin broadcaster hinted at a possible Eurovision return in 2025, after RTCG released their Draft Programme Production Plans (PP) for 2024, which in turn sparked a discussion about the broadcaster’s musical programming plans and their promotion of local talent.
N.Popović, who took part in these discussions at the time had said: “RTC Montenegro plans to organise a music festival aimed at promoting new songs by local performers and authors. This festival might also serve as the platform for selecting Montenegro’s Eurovision representative for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025, depending on the available funding.”
Whilst nothing has yet been confirmed by the Montenegrin broadcaster, it is possible that Montenegro will return to Eurovision next year in Switzerland, with “Montesong 2024” as their national final. The last time Montenegro competed at Eurovision was in Turin in 2022. Vladana sang her song “Breathe”, finishing in 17th place with 33 points in semi final 2.
Are you excited at the possibility of Montenegro returning to Eurovision in 2025? Which Montenegrin artists would you like to see participating in Montesong 2024? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Photo credit: Nathan Reinds / EBU
