The legendary Swedish music festival Melodifestivalen has come to an end after six live shows. This means that Sweden has found its representatives for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel.

It is the comedic music trio from Ostrobothnia KAJ who will perform their catchy song “Bara Bada Bastu” in Switzerland this May. The trio finished second with the international judges, only 2 points behind Eurovision winner Måns Zelmerlöw and his song “Revolution”.

With the public vote, KAJ were able to beat Måns with 90 to 81 points making them the winners of Melodifestivalen 2025.

KAJ’s victory is special in many ways. The trio’s song will be performed in Swedish (and parts of Finnish) making it the first Swedish entry in native language since 1998.

Ever since the rule of free language use in Eurovision was set into place in 1999, Sweden has always chosen to perform its Eurovision song in English. Furthermore, KAJ have managed to win the televoting in the final, despite finishing second behind Måns within their Heat two weeks earlier. This is the first time since 2013 that an act, which did not win its Heat, managed to win the Melodifestivalen final.

KAJ are not just representing Sweden but also the Finlandswedish minority, which is a big part of both Swedish and Finnish identity and connects the two country’s cultures. “Bara Bada Bastu” will therefore also mark the first Swedish Eurovision entry with partly Finnish lyrics.

Sweden is currently the favorite to win Eurovision 2025 according to the bookmakers. Will Eurovision take place in Ostrobothnia next year? Share your thoughts with us in the comments and on our social media profiles! @buildingbridgespod

Photo: Magnus Liam Karlsson / SVT