They haven’t competed at Eurovision since 2012 and it seems a comeback won’t be happening any time soon. Slovakia‘s broadcaster RTVS has confirmed that they will not be participating in Eurovision 2017.

Earlier this week a tweet from Zurab Alasania, the director-general of Ukraine’s broadcaster NTU, gave fans hope, saying that he had “no negative information about Slovakia”. But the Slovak broadcaster later confirmed that they would not be making an appearance in Kyiv.

In April, a representative from RTVS explained that Slovakia’s non-participation in Eurovision was down to finances, not their history of non-qualifications. PR manager Juraj Kadas explained that Slovakia’s priority was local television production, and while Eurovision was an attractive project, they did not have the funding to enter.

And it seems nothing has changed for the broadcaster. While fans had hoped that the grand final qualification of the neighbouring Czech Republic would inspire Slovakia to enter in 2017, once again they are staying out.

Slovakia has a patchy history at Eurovision, having participated only eight times in 20 years.

Their last comeback began in 2009, which saw them compete for a record four consecutive years. Slovakia’s best result was in 2011 when TWiiNS placed 13th in their semi-final with “I’m Still Alive”, and even managed to be ranked ninth in the jury vote.

The following year rocker Max Jason Mai placed last in his semi-final with “Don’t Close Your Eyes”. That was to be Slovakia’s final Eurovision participation — though fans are still holding out for a return.

What do you think? Are you disappointed that Slovakia won’t be in Kyiv? Share your thoughts below!

Read more Slovakia news here

22 Comments
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Varian Jeataba
Varian Jeataba
7 years ago

I just have that feeling that Slovakia will return in 2018

Varian Jeataba
Varian Jeataba
7 years ago
Reply to  Varian Jeataba

Turkey will probably only return in 2020 I think

Ariso Light
Ariso Light
7 years ago

Nooooooooooooo! 🙁

Azaad
Azaad
7 years ago

australia over san marino any day. guy sebastian and dami im are among the most successful artists to have competed in this century and have elevated the contest to greater heights.

Mimimi
Mimimi
7 years ago

Aw 🙁 Now I’m crossing my fingers for San Marino. I’d rather see San Marino over Australia.

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

:(((((
there’s still moldova and maybe (hate to say it) australia to get it up to 42

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
7 years ago

Crap. I wanted to see Lillie McCloud compete here. She spent 10 years in Slovakia, before auditioning for ‘The X-Factor USA’ in 2013, and had a long history in the R&B/EDM (mostly house music) world dating back to 1985.

Colin
Colin
7 years ago

Ps.

Moldova is back!
Turkey is not!

Just to make an update.

Denis
Denis
7 years ago

Did anyone actually expect them back? If they didn’t return for the Vienna edition which is just a couple of metres beyond the border, they sure wouldn’t return for their other neighbour.
Of course it’s sad but considering the quality of their entries it isn’t that major of a loss. 2010 was the only time I thought they were worthy of a final.

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

I loved them both in 1996 and 1998 … after that it’s been quite irrelevant to be honest … it’s all about the music in it not necessarily which country is going to be there or not …. so pointless really.

Ryan
Ryan
7 years ago

@ChickenKyiv

They can’t change their mind,they either didn’t apply and announced their withdrawal from the competition or they applied then were forced to withdraw their application (I can’t remember)

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

This is me right now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_fs4SPGyF0

I had hopes… but Slovakia just ruined them. 🙁 🙁 🙁

Tomas
Tomas
7 years ago

is there no update story on Turkey’s participation?

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

That’s too bad, I want Katarína Knechtová to bless the Eurovision stage with her raw talent someday. I hope Czech Republic slays this year so that Slovakia might re-consider the contest.

Chicken Kyiv?
Chicken Kyiv?
7 years ago

TRT have confirmed Turkey are out, actually saying they “refuse to participate” and now Slovakia is gone too 🙁

We currently have 40 confirmed and I’m sure San Marino Moldova and Australia will take us up to 43, but how do we reach that all elusive 44. The only viable candidate left is Kazakhstan. (Unless Bosnia changes it;s mind)

Laburnum
Laburnum
7 years ago

Well wasnt that the greatest birthday present ever, thanks Slovakia!!

khm
khm
7 years ago

Yeaaaaaah, I wouldn’t believe in ESCtoday if I were you. Many times they wrote about how some TVs confirmed to them they won’t participate (?T in August 2014, HRT in September 2015 etc), but them the EBU released the list of participating broadcasters. Besides, Zurab Alasania also wrote today RTVS didn’t answer them anything, so why would RTVS write a negative answer to ESCtoday, but not to NTU, who is the organizer of ESC2017?

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

That’s really sad….. 🙁 :'(

Magpie
Magpie
7 years ago

Turkey is not coming back either

Hubertznajomski
7 years ago

Slovakia is the most robbed country in ESC history.

Varian Jeataba
Varian Jeataba
7 years ago

Yes defiantly!

escjack
escjack
7 years ago

🙁