Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025

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Eurovision Song Contest 2025
Participating broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO)
CountryFlag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia
National selection
Selection processEMA 2025
Selection date(s)1 February 2025
Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2024 •2025

Slovenia will be represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, which will be held in Basel, Switzerland. The Slovenian participating broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO), will organise the national final EMA 2025 in order to select its entry for the contest.

Contents

Background

Prior to the 2025 contest, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Slovenia twenty-nine times since its first entry in 1993. Its highest placing in the contest, to this point, has been seventh place, achieved on two occasions: in 1995 with the song " Prisluhni mi " performed by Darja Švajger and in 2001 with the song "Energy" performed by Nuša Derenda. Its only other top ten result was achieved in 1997 when Tanja Ribič performing " Zbudi se " placed tenth. Since the introduction of semi-finals to the format of the contest in 2004, Slovenia has thus far managed to qualify to the final on eight occasions, the latest being in 2024, when "Veronika" performed by Raiven ultimately placed 23rd in the final. [1]

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, RTVSLO organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The broadcaster had usually selected its entry through a national final entitled Evrovizijska Melodija (EMA), which has been produced with variable formats, with the exceptions of 2013, 2021, 2023, and 2024, when the entries were internally selected. On 12 September 2024, RTVSLO announced that it would not take a decision on participation in the 2025 contest until October 2024, having been granted an extension by the EBU. [2] However, on 16 September 2024, RTVSLO confirmed its intention to participate in the 2025 contest; [3] [4] plans regarding the selection were announced on 28 October 2024, with EMA returning as the national final format. [5]

Before Eurovision

EMA 2025

EMA 2025 is set to be the twenty-fifth edition of EMA, the format used by RTVSLO to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. The competition, which will consist of a final on 1 February 2025, will take place at the RTV Slovenija Studio 1 in Ljubljana, hosted by Raiven, who represented Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, and Gregor Strasbergar  [ sl ], and will be broadcast on TV SLO 1  [ sl ] and online via the broadcaster's RTV 4D platform. [5] [6] [7]

Competing entries

A submission period for interested artists and composers was open between 29 October and 25 November 2024. In order to qualify to compete, the main performer of an entry was required to hold temporary or permanent residence in Slovenia. RTVSLO also directly invited artists and composers from the national music scene. [5] [8] At the closing of the window, 114 entries had been submitted. [9] An expert committee consisting of 2018 and 2022 Slovenian representatives Lea Sirk and Filip Vidušin (the latter as part of the group LPS), as well as singer Alenka Godec, Radio Val 202 editor Neja Jerant and composer Martin Bezjak selected twelve contestants, which were announced on 13 December 2024. [10] The entries will be presented to the public in an introduction show, entitled EMA pred EMA, on 25 January 2025, to be hosted by Bernarda Žarn  [ sl ] and Jože Robežnik  [ sl ], and broadcast on TV SLO 1  [ sl ]. [11] [12]

ArtistSongSongwriter(s)
Anna"Čau"
  • Krešimir Tomec
  • Špela Tomec
Astrid and the Scandals"Touché"
Eva Pavli"Niti"
  • Eva Pavli
  • Hugo Smeh
Jon Vitezič"Vse ti dam"
July Jones "New Religion"
  • Bardo
  • Gracey
  • July Jones
  • Kiris Houston
  • Neave Applebaum
Kiki  [ sl ]"O-ou!"
  • Blaž Mikl
  • Jovica Novkovič
  • Laetitia "Kiki" Pohl
Klemen "How Much Time Do We Have Left"
PolarAce"Kind"
  • Aleksej Ivačič Kolar
  • Peter Penko
Rai"Frederick's Dead"
  • Rai
  • Vanja Rok Vrtovec
Trine"Grace"
  • Jernej Kržič
  • Trine Slabe
Žan Videc  [ sl ]"Pusti da gori"
  • Goran Sarjaš
  • Žan Videc
Zven"Divja"

Final

The final will take place on 1 February 2025. The winner will be determined over two rounds of voting. In the first round, five thematic jury panels, each composed of five members, will each distribute their points following the same pattern used in the Eurovision Song Contest, i.e. 1–8, 10 and 12 points and select two entries to proceed to the second round; these panels will consist of music performers, songwriters and producers, radio and television personalities, members of OGAE Slovenia, and international Eurovision influencers and journalists. [5] [10] In the superfinal, televoting exclusively will determine the winner. [5]

Calls for exclusion of Israel

Israel's continuing participation in the contest was one of the topics discussed by the management board of RTVSLO in December 2024, in light of the controversies relating to the country's participation in the 2024 edition amidst the Israel–Hamas war. The board voted to initiate a request within the European Broadcasting Union for Israel not to compete in 2025, and to keep the Slovenian public informed about these efforts. [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest</span>

Slovenia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 29 times since its debut in 1993, having hosted a qualification round in Ljubljana for seven countries due to the influx of new nations wishing to join the contest. The Slovenian participant broadcaster in the contest is Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO).

Slovenia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1999 with the song "For a Thousand Years", written by Sašo Fajon and Primož Peterca, and performed by Darja Švajger. The Slovene participating broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO), held the national final Evrovizijska Melodija 1999 in order to select its entry for the contest. Švajger had previously represented Slovenia in 1995.

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "Love Symphony" written by Andrej Babić and Aleksandar Valenčić. The song was performed by the group Quartissimo featuring Martina. Slovenian broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija organised the national final EMA 2009 in order to select the Slovenian entry for the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia. 20 entries competed in the national final which consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final. Fourteen of the entries competed in the semi-final and the top eight entries were selected to advance alongside six pre-qualified songs following the combination of votes from a three-member jury panel and a public televote. Fourteen entries qualified to compete in the final where "Love Symphony" performed by Quartissimo and Martina Majerle was selected as the winner following the combination of votes from a three-member jury panel and a public televote.

Slovenia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 with the song "Zbudi se", composed by Saša Lošić, with lyrics by Zoran Predin, and performed by Tanja Ribič. The Slovene participating broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO), held the national final Evrovizijska Melodija 1997 in order to select its entry for the contest. 13 entries competed in the national final where "Zbudi se" performed by Tanja Ribič was selected as the winner entirely by a public televote.

Slovenia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1998 with the song "Naj bogovi slišijo" composed by Matjaž Vlašič, with lyrics by Urša Vlašič, and performed by Vili Resnik. The Slovene participating broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO), held the national final Evrovizijska Melodija 1998 in order to select its entry for the contest. 14 entries competed in the national final where "Naj bogovi slišijo" performed by Vili Resnik was selected as the winner entirely by a public televote.

Slovenia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2001 with the song "Energy", composed by Matjaž Vlašič, with lyrics by Lucienne Lončina, and performed by Nuša Derenda. The Slovene participating broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO), held the national final Evrovizijska Melodija 2001 in order to select its entry for the contest. The broadcaster returned to the contest after a one-year absence following its relegation in 2000 as one of the six entrants with the lowest average scores over the previous five contests.

Slovenia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 with the song "Samo ljubezen", composed by Robert Pešut, with lyrics by Barbara Pešut, and performed by the drag act Sestre. The Slovene participating broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO), held the national final Evrovizijska Melodija 2002 in order to select its entry for the contest. 18 entries competed in the national final which consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final. Entries were selected to advance from the semi-final based on a public televote and a jury panel. Ten entries qualified to compete in the final where "Samo ljubezen" performed by Sestre was selected as the winner following the combination of votes from two thematical juries.

Slovenia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "Stay Forever", composed by Simon Gomilšek, with lyrics by Diana Lečnik, and performed by the duo Platin, which consists of Lečnik and Gomilšek. The Slovene participating broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO), held the national final Evrovizijska Melodija 2004 in order to select its entry for the contest. 32 entries competed in the national final which consisted of five shows: four semi-finals and a final. Entries were selected to advance from the semi-finals based on a public televote and a four-member jury panel. Sixteen entries qualified to compete in the final where the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, the top three entries were selected following the combination of votes from a five-member jury panel and a public televote. In the second round, "Stay Forever" performed by Platin was selected as the winner entirely by a public televote.

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with the song "No One" written by Matjaž Vlašič and Urša Vlašič. The song was performed by Maja Keuc. Slovenian broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija organised the national final EMA 2011 in order to select the Slovenian entry for the 2011 contest in Düsseldorf, Germany. Ten entries competed in the national final where the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, the top two entries were selected by a three-member jury panel. In the second round, "Vanilija" performed by Maja Keuc was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote. The song was later translated from Slovene to English for the Eurovision Song Contest and was titled "No One".

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song "Verjamem" written by Vladimir Graić, Hari Mata Hari and Igor Pirkovič. The song was performed by Eva Boto. Songwriter Hari Mata Hari represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "Lejla" where he placed third in the grand final of the competition. Slovenian broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija organised the national final Misija EMA 2012 in order to select the Slovenian entry for the 2012 contest in Baku, Azerbaijan. 32 performers competed in the first stage of the national final, Misija Evrovizija, from which two artists qualified to compete in Misija EMA 2012 following a five-month-long competition. In Misija EMA 2012, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, each artist performed three songs and one song were selected for each performer following the combination of votes from a four-member jury panel and a public televote. In the second round, "Verjamem" performed by Eva Boto was selected as the winner entirely by a public televote.

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song "Straight into Love" written by Hannah Mancini, Gregor Zemljič, Erik Margan, Matija Rodić and Marko Primužak. The song was performed by Hannah, who was internally selected by Slovenian broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija to represent Slovenia at the 2013 contest in Malmö, Sweden. Hannah was announced at the Slovenian representative on 1 February 2013, while the song, "Straight into Love", was presented to the public on 14 February 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slovenia in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest</span>

The participation of Slovenia in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest first began at the twelfth edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 which took place in Marsa, Malta. Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO), a member organisation of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), were responsible for the selection process of their participation. Slovenia originally used an internal selection format for their participation at the 2014 contest. The first representative to participate for the nation at the 2014 contest was Ula Ložar with the song "Nisi sam ", which finished in twelfth place out of sixteen participating entries, achieving a score of twenty-nine points. Slovenia participated for a second time at the 2015 contest in Sofia, Bulgaria. This time, RTVSLO organised a children's spin-off of their Eurovision national final EMA to select their entry. Lina Kuduzović represented the nation with the song "Prva ljubezen". She finished in third place overall, achieving Slovenia's highest placing in both the adult and junior Eurovision Song Contest. Slovenia withdrew from the contest in 2016, citing that the decision was made based on changes to the contest rules by the EBU, although not specifying which rule changes influenced their decision to withdraw from the competition. Despite originally expressing an interest to return to the 2022 contest in Yerevan, Armenia, the plans did not flourish and Slovenia is yet to return to the event.

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Hvala, ne!" written by Lea Sirk and Tomy DeClerque. The song was performed by Lea Sirk. Slovenian broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija organised the national selection EMA 2018 in order to select the Slovenian entry for the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal. 16 entries competed in the national final which consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final. Entries were selected to advance from the semi-final based on a public televote and a jury panel. Eight entries qualified to compete in the final where "Hvala, ne!" performed by Lea Sirk was selected as the winner following the combination of votes from six thematical juries and a public televote.

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song "Sebi" written and performed by Zala Kralj and Gašper Šantl. Slovenian broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija organised the national final EMA 2019 in order to select the Slovenian entry for the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel. Ten entries competed in the national final where the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, the top two entries were selected by a three-member jury panel. In the second round, "Sebi" performed by Zala Kralj and Gašper Šantl was selected as the winner entirely by a public televote.

Slovenia originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "Voda" written by Ana Soklič and Bojan Simončič. The song was performed by Ana Soklič. Slovenian broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija organised the national final EMA in order to select the Slovenian entry for the 2020 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. 18 entries competed in the first stage of the national final, EMA FREŠ 2020, from which two entries qualified to compete in EMA 2020 following a two-month-long competition. Twelve entries competed in EMA 2020 where the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, the top two entries were selected by a three-member jury panel. In the second round, "Voda" performed by Ana Soklič was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Amen" written by Ana Soklič, Bojan Simončič, Žiga Pirnat and Charlie Mason. The song was performed by Ana Soklič, who was internally selected by Slovenian broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija to represent Slovenia at the 2021 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after she was due to compete in the 2020 contest with "Voda" before the 2020 event's cancellation. Ana Soklič was announced at the Slovenian representative on 16 May 2020, while the song, "Amen", was presented to the public on 27 February 2021 during the special show EMA 2021.

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, with the song "Disko", written and performed by group LPS. The Slovenian entry for the 2022 contest was selected via a two-stage national final organised by the Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO). The first stage EMA Freš began on 29 November 2021 with the purpose of selecting four newcomer artists to advance to the second stage EMA 2022. The national final featured twenty entries competing across two semi-finals on 5 and 12 February 2022, and the final on 19 February 2022, where a combination of jury and public voting decided the Slovenian representative in Turin among twelve entries.

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, having internally selected Joker Out to represent the country with the song "Carpe Diem", written by band members Bojan Cvjetićanin, Jan Peteh, Jure Maček, Kris Guštin and Nace Jordan, alongside Žarko Pak. Joker Out were announced as the Slovenian entrants to the contest on 8 December 2022, whilst their song was presented to the public in a televised presentation show, Misija Liverpool, on 4 February 2023.

Slovenia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Veronika", written by Bojan Cvjetićanin, Danilo Kapel, Klavdija Kopina, Martin Bezjak, Peter Khoo, and Sara Briški Cirman, and performed by Cirman herself under her stage name Raiven. The Slovenian participating broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO) initially planned to organise a national final in order to select its entry for the contest, but ultimately opted for an internal selection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Veronika (song)</span> 2024 song by Raiven

"Veronika" is a song by Slovenian singer-songwriter Raiven. Inspired by the story of Veronika of Desenice, it was composed by Raiven along with five others, with lyrics also coming from Raiven. The song was self-released on 20 January 2024 through Virgin Music Group, and represented Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, where it placed 23rd with 27 points.

References

  1. ↑ "Slovenia". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  2. ↑ Stephenson, James (12 September 2024). "Slovenia: RTVSLO Decision on Eurovision 2025 Participation in October". Eurovoix. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  3. ↑ "RTV Slovenija potrdila sodelovanje na Evroviziji 2025, podrobnosti o izboru oktobra" [RTV Slovenija confirmed its participation in Eurovision 2025, details on the selection in October] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  4. ↑ Farren, Neil (16 September 2024). "Slovenia: Eurovision 2025 Participation Confirmed". Eurovoix. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Objavljeno vabilo za izbor EMA 2025" [Call for EMA 2025 published] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 28 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  6. ↑ Farren, Neil (7 January 2025). "Slovenia: Raiven & Štras to Host EMA 2025". Eurovoix. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  7. ↑ "Emo 2025 bosta povezovala Raiven in Štras" [EMA 2025 will be hosted by Raiven and Štras] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 7 January 2025. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  8. ↑ "Slovenia 2025: National final 'EMA' to select song for Basel". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  9. ↑ Granger, Anthony (27 November 2024). "🇸🇮 Slovenia: 114 Songs Submitted for EMA 2025". Eurovoix. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  10. 1 2 "Znani so nastopajoči na Emi 2025" [The performers at Ema 2025 are known] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 13 December 2024. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  11. ↑ Maatko, Alesh. "Pred izborom Ema 2025 še Ema pred Emo" [Before the 2025 EMA selection, there's still EMA before EMA]. Evrovizija.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  12. ↑ Granger, Anthony (6 January 2025). "Slovenia: Preview Show Will Be Held One Week Before EMA 2025". Eurovoix. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
  13. ↑ Maatko, Alesh (20 December 2024). "Svet RTV SLO zahteva, da Izrael ne nastopa na Evroviziji" [RTV SLO board demands that Israel not perform at Eurovision]. Evrovizija.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 25 December 2024.
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