Sarah Brady
Updated on: October 16, 2024 10:11 pm GMT
Montenegro is gearing up for an exciting music showdown as a record thirty-six songs have been submitted for the Montesong 2024 contest. This festival serves as the country’s selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest, and the stakes are high. With the excitement building, the public is eager to see who will emerge as the winner and represent Montenegro in Eurovision 2025.
Submissions and Selection Process
The Montenegrin national broadcaster RTCG has confirmed that thirty-six entries were received for Montesong 2024. However, not all submissions will make it to the grand stage. Four entries were disqualified for various reasons:
- One song revealed the artist and songwriters, violating competition rules.
- Two songs exceeded the three-minute time limit.
- One entry was performed in a language not officially recognized in Montenegro.
This leaves a total of thirty-two songs under consideration, from which sixteen will be shortlisted for the final competition. The selected artists and their song titles will be announced on October 10, 2024.
Event Details
Montesong 2024 is scheduled for November 27, 2024, at the Voco Sports Hall in Podgorica. The event will feature a 50/50 voting system, with half of the decision coming from a jury and the other half from public voting. This format aims to allow both expert opinions and public preferences to play a role in selecting the best entry for Eurovision.
A Chance for Redemption
Montenegro will make its return to the Eurovision stage in 2025 after a two-year hiatus. The last time Montenegro participated in Eurovision was in 2021, when Vladana represented the nation and finished 17th in the semi-final, failing to advance to the final competition.
With hopes high this time around, many are hopeful that this year’s contestants will fare better. In the past, Montenegro has struggled to qualify for the final, with its best result being a 13th place finish by Knez in 2015 with the song “Adio.” The country’s last appearance was marked by financial challenges and inconsistent performances, but there is a renewed optimism that Montesong can change this trend.
History and Future of Eurovision in Montenegro
Montenegro made its Eurovision debut as an independent nation in 2007. Since then, the country has had a rollercoaster journey in the contest:
- Participated from 2007 to 2010 before withdrawing due to financial issues.
- Returned in 2012 and has chosen its entries internally since then.
- Failed to qualify for the grand final until 2014, when Sergej Ćetković’s “Moj svijet” ranked 19th in the final.
The best performance to date remains Knez’s 13th place, but hopes are alive that new talent will finally break through.
Looking Forward to Montesong 2024
The Montesong 2024 festival not only empowers local artists but also aims to establish a lasting tradition in Montenegrin music. Vladana Vučinić, the Artistic Director of Montesong, emphasized the importance of this event. She stated, “By this, we will know if there is a basis for this competition to continue year after year. I hope that the musicians will live up to expectations and that Montesong will become a tradition.”
As excitement brews in the lead-up to the event, many are eager to see what creative works the artists will bring to the stage.
Engagement and Future Announcements
For fans and supporters looking to stay updated on the latest news, the names of the sixteen competing acts will be unveiled soon, followed by a public release of songs on November 17, 2024. The music will be available on platforms such as YouTube.
Danijel Alibabić, a member of the Montesong selection committee, further stated, “Nobody is invited to specifically participate in Montesong, nor can they be invited to represent Montenegro at Eurovision, without first being part of the festival.” This ensures that all participants are truly deserving and relevant to the competition.
Conclusion
Montenegro is getting ready for the next Eurovision contest, and everyone is really excited about Montesong 2024. This year, there are more song entries than ever before, and both judges and fans will have a say in the selection. This could be a big moment for Montenegro in the Eurovision competition. Artists are practicing hard to shine on stage, and fans can’t wait to support their favorites. Everyone is hoping for a big win this time!
