The Director General of the national broadcaster (MRT) has given the clearest indication yet that North Macedonia could make a return for the Eurovision Song Contest 2027.
MRT Director General confirms intention to return to Eurovision
Following a recent session of MRT’s Program Council, the Director General of MRT Zoran Ristoski announced that he intends to bring the North Macedonian broadcaster back to Eurovision. Next May the Eurovision Song Contest 2027 will be held in Bulgaria after the victory of DARA with, ‘Bangaranga’.
In comments made to national media, Zoran also confirmed there had been positive talks with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in regards to a possible return next year. The discussions surrounded the conditions and assistance from the EBU to facilitate a return, as well as MRT promoting the cultural values of North Macedonia. Zoran concluded that the “era of non-transparent selection of Eurovision participants has ended.” Referring to the new format of Junior Eurovision selection adopted for the upcoming contest in Malta this October.
This comes in the aftermath of public calls from North Macedonian citizens to reconsider Eurovision participation. Since their withdrawal in 2023 citing financial difficulties, MRT have made several attempts to return to the contest. Last week, MRT resumed broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest on its main channel.
North Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Before declaring independence, North Macedonia competed as part of Yugoslavia and within the Yuglosav pre-selection for Eurovision. Although many North Macedonian songwriters composed entries for Yugoslav representatives from other states, North Macedonia never represented Yugoslavia on the Eurovision stage with a competing vocalist.
After gaining independence in 1991, North Macedonia tried to enter the 1996 edition with Kaliopi and er entry, ‘Samo ti‘. However it failed to advance through the pre-qualifying round. The first official representative for the Balkan nation came later in 1998, with Vlado Janevski and ‘Ne zori, zoro‘. In Birmingham he placed 19th with 16 points.
Over the years North Macedonia has had one of the most turbulent Eurovision journey’s, with 9 finalists from 21 participations and only one top 10 placing. Their best result came in 2019 with the returning, Tamara Todevska and her emotional ballad, ‘Proud‘. During the Tel Aviv contest, she finished 7th with 305 points.
For their last participation the North Macedonian jury and public chose Andrea and ‘Circles’ through Za Evrosong 2022. During the Turin contest she tested the limits of qualification and just missed out on the Grand Final, placing 11th with 76 points in Semi-Final 2.
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