After a two-year break, Montenegro is preparing to make a return to the Eurovision stage in 2025. The new and improved Montesong festival, which will serve as the country’s national selection for Eurovision, is set to take place on November 26 and 27, 2024 in Podgorica.
Previously, Radio and Television Montenegro (RTCG) has officially launched a public call for submissions, with the submissions window remaining open until October 1, offering aspiring artists an opportunity to make their mark.
Festival director Danijel Alibabić was enthusiastic about the upcoming event at a recent press conference. “This will be a production on a scale Montenegro has never seen before,” he announced. Alibabić imagines Montesong growing into a tradition, much like Croatia’s famous Dora festival, setting high expectations for both the staging and overall experience.
Alibabić has additionally mentioned his hope that this year’s representative will qualify for the Eurovision grand final.
Montesong is also committed to supporting local talent, with a particular focus on the next generation of musicians. Vladana Vučinić, who is the last (to date) representative of Montenegro in Eurovision, is now the festival’s artistic director. She has shared her enthusiasm for discovering fresh voices and pushing for a transparent, Eurovision-standard selection process.
“Our jury will consist of well-known musicians from Montenegro and abroad, who bring with them the expertise to help select the best possible representative for Eurovision,” Vučinić explained.
The majority of the festival’s funding will come from the Montenegrin Association of Performing Artists, with RTCG stepping in as a co-producer. Despite limited financial resources, Vučinić urged musicians of all styles and genres to seize this opportunity, noting, “There’s room for everyone on stage. We encourage diversity, and we want to hear all kinds of music.”
Source: RTCG
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