Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national public broadcaster, BHRT, has ruled out participating in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. This marks the seventh non-participation in a row for the Balkan nation; once a staple of the Eurovision final.
Costing a pretty penny
Confirming the news to ESCToday, BHRT cited financial difficulties for their absence at the Contest. Problems regarding the participation fee has been a significant issue for the broadcaster, which resulted in Bosnia & Herzegovina missing out on the Contests from 2013 to 2015.
Fazla (who represented Bosnia & Herzegovina) spoke about their aim to bring the country back to the contest in 2024, where they mentioned that internal politics are to blame for the country’s continued non-participation in the competition.
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 Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we look ahead to Eurovision 2024!
News Source: ESCToday
Photo Credit: EBU
