With the Eurovision Song Contest reaching its climax, Bosnia’s former Head of Delegation has given an update on the country’s participation.
Head of Delegation outlines issues
Bosnia and Herzegovina has not been present at the Eurovision Song Contest since 2016. Following this, the EBU placed sanctions on broadcaster BHRT over unpaid debts. Now, former Head of Delegation Lejla Babović appeared on the Jutro za Sve programme, where she confirmed that BHRT would only return to the Contest when the broadcaster had stable funding.
When we can finance all our activities, then we will certainly be able to finance the Eurovision Song Contest. Of course, with the help of sponsors, marketing advertisers. It is an event that BHRT or any other public service cannot present alone. Even Radio and Television of Serbia, which has a budget of €170 million per year, has sponsors for such a project. BHRT only has €15 million per year and we never know if it will be €15m or €12m, or will it really be €15 million.
Currently, BHRT owes a total of 16 million BAM to the EBU, equivalent to €8.18 million. The size of the debt is so large, BHRT cannot participate until it repays its debt. Babović praised the federal government for its efforts in trying to repay the debt.
The problem with the EBU has not existed since yesterday, but since 2017. Since 2017, it has been swept under the rug. Everyone thought that it would somehow be resolved, that the EBU would forgive debts, etc. However, that is no longer the case.
We have to get serious, understand what the obligations of the state are towards BHRT. The Parliamentary Assembly of BiH established BHRT as a public enterprise and it is the guarantor of BHRT. Therefore, the state must actively get involved.
The current government is trying in every possible way. I hope that they will find a way because there are funds and they can be used properly to restore the image of BiH in Europe and among colleagues to the reputation we once had.
She went on to explain that the EBU is also forgiving several other debts from other countries – largely from Ukraine, despite the ongoing war.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Eurovision journey
Bosnia and Herzegovina were a mini-powerhouse in the Eurovision Song Contest in the time that they took part. Bosnia and Herzegovina debuted in Eurovision in 1993 with Fazla, singing the song ‘Sva bol svijeta’. The song placed 16th, scoring 27 points. Bosnia qualified for the final every single time bar once; their best result coming in 2006 with ‘Lejla’ sung by Hari Mata Hari, which came third scoring 229 points in the Grand Final.
Bosnia and Herzegovina last participated in the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2016 with Dalal and Deen featuring Ana Rucner and Jala. Singing the song ‘Ljubav Je’, unfortunately they failed to qualify – placing 11th in the Semi Final with 104 points. This marked the first time that Bosnia & Herzegovina was not in a final in its participation.
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News Source: Klix.ba
Photo Credit: EBU
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