Macedonia will have its own representatives at the third edition of the „Pearl of the Adriatic“ regional music festival, set for July 18, 2026, in Tivat, Montenegro. The organisers have announced the 25 finalists chosen by the selection committee, and two Macedonian music projects made the cut.

Macedonian singer Ana Petan, together with Nataša Mihajlović, will perform the track „Pod nogama“, while Martinijan Kirilovski takes the stage with the song „Sirena“.

The decision on the finalists was announced by festival director Bojan Delić once the selection committee wrapped up its work. This year the final brings together performers from Montenegro, Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia - one more reminder that this is a regional story, not a local one.

The „Pearl of the Adriatic“ festival aims to champion original pop and Mediterranean music and to reconnect musicians from the countries of the former Yugoslavia. The organisers say the final night will be staged at the Summer Stage in Tivat, broadcast live on television, with all 25 finalists taking part.

Alongside established names from across the region, the presence of two Macedonian finalists is a chance for the Macedonian music scene to show itself again at one of the most important regional festivals for pop and Mediterranean music. In a region used to exporting its problems, this time it is exporting a melody.

Photo: RMF „Pearl of the Adriatic“