The North Macedonian broadcaster MRT looks set to discuss the potential to return to Eurovision in 2025.
The Program Council of the North Macedonian broadcaster MRT has agreed to discuss MRT returning to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025. The council which is formed of eleven members discusses all elements of programming at the broadcaster across its channels.
The Council met on October 22 and discussed an email received from Macedonian Eurovision fans asking for the broadcaster to consider a return to the contest. The President of the Council Mrs Smiljka Janeska Sarkanjac stated that they need to have a special meeting to discuss the matter, all of the members of the council agreed the need for North Macedonia to return to Eurovision. Ms Sarkanjac commented:
“The Program Council of MRT as a body is meeting for the third time, this is, for the third year in a row that we agree that we should not cancel the Eurovision participation even if we are the last ones every year. Any opportunity for the affirmation and participation of North Macedonia in any international competition and the mention of North Macedonia at such events must not be missed.
MRT exists to produce music and to affirm music and the culture of North Macedonia and how it is possible to cancel such an opportunity so easily for this kind of affirmation.”
North Macedonia withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, with broadcaster MRT citing financial difficulties. Before this, the country had previously competed at every Eurovision since 2004.
The last time the country entered the contest was in 2022, Andrea represented the country in Turin, Italy with the song “Circles”. She was unable to qualify for that year’s Grand Final, though, finishing 11th in her semi-final with 76 points.
Image Source: Eurovision.tv – Thomas Hanses | Source: MRT
North Macedonia (previously competing as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1998. However, two years earlier they attempted to participate but were knocked out in the pre-qualifying round. In 2016 they were represented by Kaliopi for a second time with the song “Dona”, she missed out on the final finishing in 11th in her semi-final. North Macedonia’s best result to date is a 7th place finish in the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest represented by Tamara Todevska and the song “Proud”.
