The revival of the Intervision Song Contest (ISC) in 2025, moving from its Cold War roots to a new, broader international platform centered in Moscow, has generated significant global attention. For Slovakia, a nation that hosted early editions of the original contest as part of Czechoslovakia, the new Intervision presents a choice between historical ties and modern geopolitical realities.
Slovakia's national broadcaster, STVR (formerly RTVS), currently maintains a strict non-participation stance in major international music competitions due to persistent financial and budgetary constraints, a factor that has kept it absent from the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) since 2012.
Intervision 2025
The 2025 Intervision Song Contest, held in Moscow, featured a lineup of participants predominantly from BRICS, CIS, Latin American, and African nations, with few entries from Central or Western Europe. According to our sources, Slovakia Was Invited for 2025.
Also, the organizers of Intervision have confirmed that invitations were sent to a large number of nations, including European countries, to demonstrate the contest’s global reach. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that there were countries whose artists were willing to participate, but their governments or broadcasters prevented them, adding that they would not be named to "avoid difficulties." Given Slovakia's historic involvement in the original contest and its geographical position, it was likely targeted as a nation whose participation would lend significant cultural weight to the new format.
While the official position of the Slovak broadcaster, STVR, regarding Eurovision has consistently been its high financial cost and budget cuts, the exact official answer STVR gave to the Intervision organizers for its non-participation in the 2025 contest remains officially undisclosed.
Intervision 2026 - Possible
The question of Slovakia's participation in the 2026 Intervision Song Contest, which is reportedly planned for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, depends on internal shifts within STVR and the continued evolution of the competition.
The key hurdle remains the financial health of STVR. The broadcaster has indicated that a new, duly elected management plans to reassess Slovakia’s participation in all international projects, including Eurovision, under "favourable budgetary and artistic conditions." This door, though currently guarded by financial constraints, is not permanently closed. Slovakia hasn't been active in The Eurovision Song Contest since 2012 because of its financial cost. However Intervision Song Contest does not come with a fee for the participating countries (excluding, of course, the costs of the delegation and performance)
A move to a neutral host country like Saudi Arabia in 2026 might mitigate the geopolitical concerns associated with the Moscow-hosted 2025 edition, potentially making the decision easier for STVR.
Intervision Song Contest established itself as a high-quality, high-visibility event in 2025, and the cultural and tourism promotion benefits might outweigh the local production costs, making the investment more palatable to the Slovak government.
In summary, Slovakia’s link to Intervision is historic, and it was allowed to rejoin in 2025. Its decision to abstain, however, was likely a calculated move driven by internal budget limitations and a desire to avoid the political complexities of the inaugural host. Participation in the 2026 contest is possible only if STVR achieves greater financial stability and a new management team views the contest as a beneficial strategic and cultural investment.
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