Iceland’s Return to Eurovision 2025: A Resilient Comeback Amid Controversy
Iceland confirms its Eurovision participation after a period of uncertainty.
Icelandic fans can now breathe a sigh of relief as the national broadcaster RÚV has officially confirmed the country’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. This decision comes after a temporary delay, during which questions loomed over whether Iceland would return to the beloved contest. In a statement sent to the Icelandic media outlet Vísir, RÚV affirmed that Eurovision continues to be an event of great cultural significance for Iceland.
According to RÚV, the decision to participate was based on the contest’s «unquestionable importance to Icelandic music and its value as a source of joy and unity for Icelandic families.» Iceland has long been a nation deeply connected to Eurovision, with many of its biggest musical stars having emerged from the national selection show Söngvakeppnin. Eurovision’s magic endures in Iceland, with an impressive 60% of the population tuning into the Grand Final in 2024, even after Iceland’s own elimination.
Eurovision 2024: A Storm of Controversy
The 2024 edition of Eurovision was nothing short of controversial, with political tensions boiling over due to Israel’s participation amidst ongoing conflict in Gaza. Numerous calls for boycotts filled the prelude to the contest, and protests against Israel’s involvement were frequent. In Iceland, these protests reached RÚV itself, and viewership for the show saw a marked dip compared to previous years.
Despite these challenges, Switzerland emerged victorious in Eurovision 2024, and the contest is set to take place in Basel on 17 May 2025. A total of 27 countries have already confirmed their participation, including all the Nordic nations, as well as Israel. However, 11 countries that competed in 2024, including Armenia, Australia, and Ukraine, have yet to announce their plans.
Iceland’s Eurovision Legacy: A Tale of Passion and Persistence
Since its debut in 1986, Iceland has had a unique relationship with Eurovision. Though it has yet to claim victory, Iceland has consistently been a fan favourite, often bringing fresh, innovative, and heartfelt performances to the competition. The most notable successes include Selma’s runner-up finish in 1999 with All Out of Luck and Yohanna‘s emotional ballad Is It True?, which also secured second place in 2009.
Recent years have seen Iceland’s entries capturing global attention. Daði Freyr and his band Gagnamagnið became household names with their infectious hit Think About Things in 2020. Though the contest was cancelled that year due to the pandemic, their quirky charm and unique performance style would return in 2021, where they finished in a respectable fourth place.
The path to Eurovision 2025 remains uncertain for Iceland, as RÚV has yet to announce the selection process for the next representative. Typically, the winner of Söngvakeppnin earns the honour of flying Iceland’s flag at Eurovision, but it is yet to be confirmed if this will be the case for 2025.
Eurovision’s Resilience: Planning for a Brighter Future
In response to the criticism that surrounded Eurovision 2024, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has committed to undertaking substantial reforms aimed at preserving the contest’s non-political nature. With nine working groups currently investigating how to safeguard the event’s core values and foster a family-friendly atmosphere, the EBU hopes to rebuild confidence in Eurovision. These working groups are expected to deliver their findings in the coming months, and many nations, including Iceland, have contributed feedback on how to strengthen the contest’s future.
As one of the most-watched events in Iceland, only major sporting events and the annual New Year’s Eve comedy special Áramótaskaupið rival Eurovision’s ratings. This underscores the importance of the contest to the nation’s culture and the fervour with which Icelandic viewers support their entries year after year.
The Road to Basel: What Comes Next?
With RÚV now confirming Iceland’s return to Eurovision, fans are eagerly awaiting details of how the country’s next representative will be chosen. In recent years, Iceland has favoured its Söngvakeppnin competition, but it’s not the only method the nation has used. After Eurovision was cancelled in 2020, RÚV directly selected Daði Freyr to represent Iceland the following year, skipping the usual national selection process.
As we look ahead to Eurovision 2025, excitement is building across Iceland. Will the island nation finally capture that elusive win? Whatever the future holds, one thing is certain: Iceland’s enduring love for Eurovision shows no sign of waning, and the country will once again take to the stage, hoping to capture the hearts of Europe.
Source: Visir
