Intervision revived! Is Moscow’s response to its Eurovision exclusion? Serbia sends Trkulja as its representative

After more than four decades on hiatus, the Intervision music competition is making a comeback, and Serbia is set to be one of the participating countries. The event, scheduled for September 20 in Moscow, will feature the acclaimed musician and multi-instrumentalist Slobodan Trkulja with his band Balkanopolis.

Trkulja will represent Serbia with the song „Tri ružice“ (Three Roses).

The event has garnered public attention not only for the return of a former festival giant but also for the political circumstances surrounding its revival. While organizers describe it as an apolitical cultural event, it is clearly intended as a platform for countries that Russia considers „friendly“ following its exclusion from the Eurovision Song Contest.

History and reasons for the revival

Intervision was originally founded in the 1960s as a music festival conceived as an alternative to Eurovision for the Eastern Bloc states. The competition aimed to promote musical culture and cooperation within the socialist bloc and was organized by the International Radio and Television Organisation (OIRT). After almost two decades of existence, the festival was discontinued in 1980. Twenty-eight years later, in 2008, an independent competition called „Five Stars: Intervision“ was held in Sochi, but it was short-lived.

On February 25, 2022, after the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) excluded Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest due to its invasion of Ukraine, a series of political and cultural changes followed. Russia announced its intention to withdraw from the EBU on February 26, its membership was suspended on March 1, and the suspension became permanent on May 26, 2022. In response to this situation, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on February 3, 2025, ordering the revival of Intervision.

This move is part of a broader effort by Russia to develop its own international cultural platforms and rally „friendly“ nations. According to Russian officials, the competition’s goal is to „develop international cultural and humanitarian cooperation.“ The festival is also meant to promote „real music“ and reject „fake values that are alien to any normal person,“ which is a clear jab at Eurovision and its more open-minded approach. Officials have emphasized that Intervision will be free of „perversion and the abuse of human nature.“

Although the organizers insist the festival is apolitical, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it considers the competition „an instrument of hostile propaganda and a means of whitewashing the aggressive policy of the Russian Federation.“ It has also instructed its diplomatic missions to take steps to persuade countries with which it has good relations not to participate. These accusations further highlight the political dimension of the competition, regardless of its musical format.

Competition details and participant list

Intervision 2025 will be held at Moscow’s Live Arena, which can accommodate up to 11,000 spectators. The competition is set to last over 2.5 hours, and the winner will be chosen by an international jury of music industry professionals, with one representative from each participating country. Mirko Radenović will represent Serbia on the jury.

A total of 23 countries have confirmed their participation. In addition to Serbia and host Russia, the list includes: Belarus, Brazil, China, Colombia, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Tajikistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and Vietnam.

An interesting fact is that the United States will also have its representative, the artist Brandon Howard, with the song „We Are Champions.“ This is particularly noteworthy given the strained relations between Washington and Moscow, once again highlighting how the complexities of geopolitical relations are reflected in cultural events.

Several countries initially expressed interest or were invited but ultimately withdrew from the competition. These include Armenia, Hungary, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, Slovakia, and Thailand. However, the withdrawal of Azerbaijan, which was initially on the list of participants, attracted the most attention. The official reason given by Azerbaijan was „lack of time for preparation,“ while some Russian officials stated that it was „a continuation of its general policy of distancing itself from Russia.“

The official slogan of the competition is „Music in the Heart of Your Country.“ The organizers revealed that the logo is inspired by Russian Suprematism and represents a combination of modern and traditional elements, aiming to emphasize the event’s relevance and the unity that music can bring.

The list of competition ambassadors includes well-known Russian artists and athletes such as Dima Bilan, Klava Koka, Ay Yola, Pelageya, and hockey player Alexander Ovechkin.

Slobodan Trkulja and Balkanopolis will perform the song „Tri ružice“ at Intervision 2025, which, by all accounts, will be in the distinctive ethno-jazz style that Trkulja has made famous worldwide.

Do you think Intervision will succeed in establishing itself as a serious alternative to Eurovision?