Icelandic broadcaster RÚV confirmed to press outlet Vísir they will send an entry to the contest in Basel, next May. The island nation has however not yet decided on a selection process: will Söngvakeppnin be used again?
Iceland heading to Eurovision despite doubts
During the 2024 season, the Icelandic public showed a half-hearted support of the country’s participation in the contest, in part due to the geopolitical situation. Before the final of Söngvakeppnin, RÚV even announced that Iceland could still drop out of Eurovision, if the winner decided so. Hera Björk won and did go to Malmö, but finished last in the first semi-final.
With such a result, national enthusiasm was at a low point. After the contest, Iceland’s Head of Delegation Rúnar Freyr stated in an interview that he wanted his country to participate in 2025, but that the decision had not yet been taken.
Despite this situation, Iceland will be present in Basel, marking its 37th participation in the contest.
The decision to participate is mainly based on the fact that [Eurovision] is an event that has great value in Icelandic society, that is a source of joy and satisfaction for a large part of the population, and that is a place for precious moments of family time all over the country
National Radio Ríkísútvarpinu’s statement to Vísis
No selection process yet
Information outlet Vísir also stated that the selection process for the 2025 song had not yet been chosen. The Söngvakeppnin national selection may thus not be used this year, which would mark the seventh time Iceland would go without it. The last time was obviously in 2021, when RÚV re-selected internally their 2020 act, Daði og gagnamagnið.
If Söngvakeppnin is used again, it would have much less time to prepare, comparing to last year when submissions opened in June.
Are you happy to see Iceland take part? Did you think they would withdraw? Who should represent Iceland in Basel, according to you? Tell us more in the comments below or on social media at @escxtra!
