As broadcasters finalise their plans for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2027, North Macedonia’s MRT have announced they will return to the contest in Burgas, Bulgaria following a five-year absence.
MRT confirm Eurovision comeback
After an absence spanning five years, MRT the national broadcaster of North Macedonia have officially announced their return for the Eurovision Song Contest 2027. With the EBU deadline for broadcasters today, MRT followed up their announcement with further details on the organisational structure of their return.
Overseeing the Head of Delegation role into Burgas and beyond will be former representative Jana Burčeska alongside Aleksandra Jovanovska. The latter has been a vital mainstay of the delegation for the past decade. Following the news of their return, the Director of MRT, Zoran Ristoski confirmed that the EBU had provided favourable conditions to enable the comeback. The main aim of the return is to promote North Macedonian music and culture. In order to support this, the broadcaster has confirmed a more transparant selection process will ensure the public understands how and why an act is the one going to the contest in Bulgaria next May. More details on the format and method of selection will be announced in the coming months.
This comes in the aftermath of public calls from North Macedonian citizens to reconsider Eurovision participation and much media speculation. Since their withdrawal in 2023 citing financial difficulties, MRT have made several attempts to return to the contest. Earlier this year, 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.
Who should represent North Macedonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2027? Let us know! Keep track of the latest news by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra.bsky.social on Bluesky, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok, subscribing to YouTube and liking our Facebook page! Also, follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts.
