North Macedonia’s public broadcaster Macedonian Radio Television (MRT) announced today that they will participate at Junior Eurovision 2023 in Nice, France on November 26, 2023.
Though North Macedonia opted against participation at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, citing financial constraints, the broadcaster opted to continue at the junior version both last year and this year. In a statement last, MRT stated that they do intend to return to Eurovision in 2024.
MRT also issued a call for submissions, with the final audition to be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at MRT’s studios in Skopje.
Aspiring junior artists between the ages of 9 and 14 and who are either citizens or permanent residents of North Macedonia can submit an application to [email protected], with the audition to comprise of two song performances. Further information can be found on MRT’s website here.
North Macedonia have entered every edition of Junior Eurovision with the exception of 2012 and 2014. Their debut entry, “Ti ne me poznavaš” by Marija and Viktorija, came in 12th at the inaugural contest. North Macedonia would place 12th a total of 8 times out of 17 appearances.
North Macedonia’s best finish remains 5th, with Rosica Kulakova & Dimitar Stojmenovski in 2007 with “Ding Ding Dong,” and Bobi Andonov in 2008 with “Prati mi SMS.”
Australian born Andonov has made quite a career for himself ever since, appearing in more talent shows after Junior Eurovision including Australia’s Got Talent. He’s done songwriting work for AfroJack and X Factor Australian winner Cyril Villanueva, before earning a record deal with Hollywood Records for his own work.
Mila Moskov’s “Fire” is North Macedonia’s best performing entry in the 2010s, coming in 6th at Junior Eurovision 2019.
Lara, featuring Jovan and Irina, was their entry for Junior Eurovision 2022, coming in 14th with “Životot e pred mene” (“Life is ahead of me”).
North Macedonia is the ninth country to declare its intention to participate at Junior Eurovision 2023, following hosts France, Georgia, Germany, Ireland, Malta, The Netherlands, and Spain.
Do #YOU miss North Macedonia at Eurovision and hope they return in 2024? In the meantime, will #YOU root for them at Junior Eurovision 2023 in Paris.
