It has been confirmed that BHRT- the broadcaster for Bosnia & Herzegovina will not broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. The nation has not taken part in Eurovision since 2016 owing to financial difficulties. The last time that BHRT broadcast anything Eurovision related was back in 2020 when the broadcast Eurovision: Love Shine A Light after the contest was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The difficulties for Bosnia & Herzegovina
Back in March BHRT’s Head of International affairs Lejla A. Babović spoke about the nations non participation at Eurovision. Noting while there were aspirations to return to the contest, the financial contraints made that “impossible”
There are outstanding debts from BHRT which mean access to the contest in denied by the EBU. However Lejla A. Babović has noted she knows the importance of the contest, as it provides a platform for Bosnian artists, both nationally and internationally.
Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Eurovision Journey
Bosnia and Herzegovina has a checkered history with the Eurovision Song Contest. After the dissolution of Yugoslavia, Bosnia and Herzegovina as an independent country. The nation made their debut at the Contest in 1993 with Fazla’s “Sva Bol Svijeta”.
Following a string of mid-table results, Hari Mata Hari gave the nation their best placing in the Contest in 2006, finishing in 3rd place with “Lejla”. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s last appearance at the Contest was in 2016, when Deen, Dalal, Ana Rucner and Jala represented the country in Stockholm. However, this became the first time the country failed to qualify for the final, finishing in 11th place in the first semi-final. Bosnia and Herzegovina has been absent ever since.
Are you sad about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s absence from Eurovision? Do you think Bosnia will ever get to return? What is your favourite Bosnian entry? Let us know in the comments or on social media. Be sure to follow THAT Eurovision Site on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
News Source: BHRT/Eurovoix
Photo Source: EBU
