BalkanVision Song Contest 25

Participation map
* Participating countries     Countries that participated in the past but not in #25
* **BalkanVision Song Contest**
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The **BalkanVision Song Contest 25** was the twenty-fifth edition of the BalkanVision Song Contest. The contest took place in Podgorica, Montenegro, following Montenegro's victory at the BalkanVision Song Contest 24 in Odessa, Ukraine, with the song "Jasno mi je", performed by Zoi. The contest was held at the Morača Sports Center. It consisted of a final. The show was hosted by Ivana Nikolić, Ksenija Knežević and Sanja Vučić. The event was organized by the Balkan Broadcasting Union and hosted by RTCG. The event was sponsored by *Visit Montenegro*. Twenty-two countries participated. Gagauzia, Greece, Kosovo, Romania and San Marino returned after a one edition absence, Slovakia after a two edition absence and Crimea after a seven edition absence. Albania and Transnistria withdrew.

The winner was Cyprus with the song "To Be Human" performed by MARINA. This was Cyprus's first victory. Liechtenstein came 2nd and Bulgaria came 3rd.

## Location

Preparations for the twenty-fifth edition began on the 26 April 2020, immediately after Montenegro won the twenty-fourth edition in Odessa, Ukraine. The Balkan Broadcasting Union (BBU) handed RTCG, the Montenegrin participating broadcaster, a stack of documents and a USB drive with tools to begin the work needed to host the next edition.

### Bidding phase

Bar
**Podgorica**

On the 26 April 2020, it was confirmed by RTCG that 2 cities had submitted bids to host the contest. The hosting broadcaster reviewed the bids presented and on the 27 April 2020, Podgorica was announced as the host city. Below are the 2 cities and their bids:

**Key**:  †  Host venue

 Podgorica | Morača Sports Center †

### About the host city

**Podgorica** (Serbo-Croatian: Подгорица; lit. "[area] below Gorica", Gorica being the name of a hillock overlooking the city) is the capital and largest city of Montenegro.

Between 1946 and 1992—in the period that Montenegro formed, as the Socialist Republic of Montenegro, part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY)—the city was known as **Titograd** (Cyrillic: Титоград) in honour of Josip Broz Tito.

Podgorica's favourable position at the confluence of the Ribnica and Morača rivers and at the meeting-point of the fertile Zeta Plain and Bjelopavlići Valley has encouraged settlement. The city is close to winter skiing centers in the north and to seaside resorts on the Adriatic Sea.

Podgorica Municipality covers 10.4% of Montenegro's territory and is home to 29.9% of the country's population. It is the nation's administrative center and its economic, cultural, and educational focus.

## Format

### Visual design

The theme for the edition "*Understand Yourself*", was unveiled on the 27 April 2020.

### Presenter(s)

Ivana Nikolić, Ksenija Knežević and Sanja Vučić were selected to host on the 27 April 2020.

### Running order

The running order was created by the producers.

## Participating countries

### Returning artists

 Xenia Ghali | Greece | #20 (with Raquel Castro)

## Other countries

*Further information: List of countries in the BalkanVision Song Contest*

Eligibility for potential participation in the BalkanVision Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with active BBU membership that will be able to broadcast the contest. The BBU had issued an invitation of participation in the contest to all active members.

### Active BBU members

* Albania - After the unexpected resignation of the country's head of delegation on the 15 April 2020, it was uncertain whether Albania would participate or not. In the end, Albania wasn't on the final list of participants.

* Bavaria - On the 17 April 2020, Bavarian broadcaster BR announced that the country would not return to the competition due to a lack of artists. It's uncertain whether Bavaria plans to return in the next edition.

* Greece - After the unexpected resignation of the country's head of delegation on the 17 April 2020, Greek broadcaster ERT announced, that it is unlikely that Greece will participate at the BalkanVision Song Contest 25. However, on the 20 April 2020 it was confirmed that the country would participate.

* Monaco - After initially confirming their participation, Monégasque broadcaster TMC was barred participation on the 9 May 2020 after failing to send an entry within the given deadline.

* Republika Srpska - After initially confirming their return to the contest, RTRS announced the country's sudden withdrawal on the 23 April 2020, without citing any reasons.

* Transnistria - After the unexpected resignation of the country's head of delegation on the 16 April 2020, it was uncertain whether Transnistria would participate or not. In the end, Transnistria wasn't in the final list of participants.

## Incidents

### Crimean participation

On the 29 March 2020, it was reported that the Crimean broadcaster, STRC Crimea, was in discussions with the BBU regarding a potential return to the contest without having to re-apply for full BBU membership. The BBU later issued a statement saying "We currently have no intentions to invite Crimea back to the contest, but we will discuss it with the other members". In addition to that, Eurovision Song Contest 2016 winner Jamala stated that "Crimea is Ukraine" and that Crimean-Ukrainian artists should be allowed to represent Ukraine in the BalkanVision Song Contest. The BBU did not pay attention to Jamala's statement and held a poll regarding a Crimean return. The poll voted for a Crimean return. Therefore the Crimean HoD confirmed its return on the 23 April 2020.