Ukraine will participate in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland, from May 13 to 17, 2025, as was announced by Suspilne Culture.
As noted by Mykola Chernotytskyi, Chairman of the Board of Suspilne, Eurovision has long ceased to be just a traditional music competition for Ukraine.
'It is an important platform for communication with the world. It is crucial for Ukraine to remain in the headlines of global media so that the world remembers the war Russia is waging against us. Eurovision is a key element of cultural diplomacy, and Suspilne will do everything possible to ensure that our country is represented as well as possible,' he emphasized.
At Eurovision 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, Nemo from Switzerland won, so the next contest will be held in Switzerland.
Basel is Switzerland's third-largest city by population. The grand final will take place at the St. Jakobshalle arena on Saturday, May 17, which is designed in the Bauhaus architectural style and can accommodate up to 12,000 spectators. The semifinals will be held on May 13 and 15. A complete list of participating countries in Eurovision 2025 will be announced this year.
Oksana Skibinska, head of the Ukrainian delegation to Eurovision, noted that 'Stefania' and 'Mama Teresa' resonated loudly across Europe, reminding everyone of the strength of the Ukrainian spirit and the need for support for Ukraine during the war.
'It is crucial for us that Ukraine continues to be seen and heard, and that our current messages are conveyed even louder and more poignantly. Eurovision remains a platform where culture speaks not only through music but also through powerful artistic images capable of reaching those who may not follow the news. So, we are starting a new season of preparation for Eurovision in Basel this year and preparing new surprises,' she added.
Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil with the song 'Teresa & Maria' secured third place overall based on the results of the jury and audience voting. The performance was staged by two-time Grammy nominee Tynyu Muinyo. On YouTube, the song has garnered over 36 million views, and it has 40 million streams on Spotify. Additionally, the representatives from Ukraine raised 10 million UAH for the reconstruction of the Great Kostrom Gymnasium in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, which was destroyed by Russian forces.
Suspilne Broadcasting, a member of the European Broadcasting Union, organizes and conducts the selection of the song and representative from Ukraine, and also ensures Ukraine’s participation in Eurovision 2025. Suspilne Culture and Radio Promin are official media partners of Eurovision