The first edition of the revived Intervision Song Contest wrapped up on 20 September 2025, bringing together 23 countries from across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Hosted at the Live Arena in Novoivanovskoye near Moscow, the event aimed to position itself as a cultural alternative to Eurovision, from which Russia has been excluded since 2022.
The competition carried the slogan Music in the heart of your country, emphasizing national identity and cultural pride.
Organizers said the show was designed to “preserve traditions and national cultures” while offering a stage for international talent. Unlike Eurovision’s public voting, Intervision relied solely on professional juries composed of composers, producers, and music experts.
Kenya was among the African nations represented, with Sanaipei Tande selected as the country’s debut act.
She performed ‘Flavour’, a song released in August 2025, marking Kenya’s entry into a new global contest that also featured participants from Egypt, Ethiopia, Madagascar, and South Africa.
The inaugural winner was Vietnamese star Duc Phuc, who wowed the audience with “Phu Dong Thien Vuong.” He walked away with the contest’s Crystal Cup and a cash prize of 30 million rubles (about Sh 45.9 million). Kyrgyzstan secured second place, while Qatar came third.
Russia’s own entry, pop singer Shaman (Yaroslav Dronov), performed but requested not to be ranked in the competition, saying it would be “unfair for the host country to compete for victory.”
Although billed as a cultural celebration, Intervision 2025 unfolded against a backdrop of geopolitics. Russia’s revival of the contest is widely viewed as a response to its ban from Eurovision following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov framed it as part of Moscow’s commitment to “alternative approaches to preserving traditions and national cultures, as well as religious, spiritual and moral constructs inherited from our ancestors.”
President Vladimir Putin added that “culture and music know no borders,” casting the event as a unifying celebration rather than a political maneuver.
Yet controversy was never far. The U.S. entrant, artist Vassy (an Australian-born singer with U.S. ties), withdrew from the contest shortly before her scheduled performance. Organizers blamed “political pressure” from Australia, though Canberra denied involvement. “I’m still in shock,” Vassy said after the announcement.
Inside the 11,000-seat venue, the contest had the hallmarks of a major show. The audience wore interactive LED wristbands, lighting up in sync with performances, while staging borrowed from Eurovision’s high-tech playbook.
Critics, however, questioned the contest’s ability to gain credibility outside the participating bloc. While Eurovision thrives on fan engagement and public voting, Intervision relies on state-backed structures and a jury-led system, which some argue may limit its popular appeal.
Still, for the countries represented, it was a rare global stage. Vietnamese fans celebrated Duc Phuc’s win as a historic breakthrough, while Kenyan social media buzzed with pride over Sanaipei’s performance.
Organizers confirmed that the 2026 edition will be hosted in Saudi Arabia, an assurance that the contest is intended as an annual event rotating among participating countries.