As Slavko Kalezic jets off to South Africa for the Judges’ Houses as part of this year’s X Factor UK, producers in Montenegro are busy planning the search for his successor.
And according to Vijesti.me, national broadcaster RTCG has decided to do that by bringing back the Montevizija national final after almost a decade of internal selections.
The country made their Eurovision debut in 2007, when Stevan Faddy won Montevizija with his entry “Ajde kroci” — the only time both song and artist were selected at the national final.
A year later, only the artist was selected from Montevizija, with Stefan Filipovic chosen by the televoting public to represent Montenegro in Belgrade. His song “Zauvijek volim te” was eventually selected internally.
Both representatives failed to qualify from the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing 22nd and 14th respectively.
It’s not the most inspiring track record. But following two years of relegation, Montenegro is keen to shake things up.
Further details of the Montevizija selection process are set to be announced next month on November 1, with song submissions open by mid-December.
A five-member jury will then whittle down to the five entries for Montevizija 2018 and the winner will be decided by the televoting public. The national final itself is scheduled for February 17, 2018.
Slavko Kalezic represented Montenegro at the Eurovision Song Contest earlier this year with his entry “Space”, finishing 16th in the semi-final with 56 points.
Follow all of our Montenegro Eurovision news
Photo: Thomas Hanses (EBU)
I heard that Vasilije will take part with “Idu Dani”, new song he recently released.?
Robin, pls Investigate
Whether we like it or not, yet another Balkan ballad written by Zeljko Joksimovic..
I want other genres and sides from Balkan countries, not the same old artists with songs who sound the same and a ethnic instrument thrown in.
Balkan ballads do sound the same, there’s no variety between them. It was new, now it’s just meh..
I hope that they will send a beautiful Balkan ballad as those in 2014 and 2015. 🙂 Good luck.
Please, sing again in Serbian. 2014 and 2015 were beautiful entries and I want Montenegro back in the final!
sing again in Montenegrin**
Bring on something like Igranka or The Real Thing. Some great cool electronica or brilliant indie rock. When Montenegro go for something original, innovative and quality, they are great! I think they have far more interesting entries than Seerbia. And I have to admit even liking their song this year, even if it was awfully “gay” 🙂 (not something we need more of in ESC though!)
Call me old-fashioned, but I want Sergej Cetkovic and/or Knez back. But especially Sergej. Moj Sviet became my all-time favorite song when I first heard it.
Old-fashioned!
😉
But OK – I respect your taste 🙂
I hope that Montenegro stick to Montenegrin and don’t go back to songs and artists the public won’t take seriously, I loved their entry back in 2015, so I hope that they can bring back any of the traditional music, and writers, go for something new and unique, and please don’t sing in English, they will deliver next year I’m sure of it
How about you let them decide what language and artistic direction they want to have? Because, let’s face it! It’s the artist who should have the final say, not people like you.
But it’s people like him who vote for their favourite entries. Therefore, the people have the final say. The last two years were a disaster for Montenegro, they need to change their approach if they want to succeed.
thank you, we vote for the country’s we like, and we want them to do well, and as you said the last two years were a complete disaster lets be honest, and I really hope they can get a top 10 next year, and qualify, so that’s what people want, so we all who are interested have the say like you mentioned.
I only gave my opinion, and I am entitled to an opinion, if you read what I said I am rooting for Montenegro, and want them to do well, having roots from a fellow Balkan country, so its an opinion, that’s what people like me think, without judgmental people like you commenting when I didn’t ask for your say
As we learn news for more countries, I’m getting more and more excited!
Eurovision season is here people!
We been knew for months, sis. Where is Macedonia?
Macedonia wants to stay one year alone, lol!
Given the effort they put into jesc I’m sure they’re coming back.
Balkan ballad alert!!!
Love Balkan ballads! 🙂
I only have one request: keep Vasilije Ojdanic as far away from the selection process as possible!
don’t forget to spray spray spray ur perfume
*facepalm* That song, like all his other songs, was awful!