Fans have long suspected that Bosnia and Herzegovina would not return to Eurovision 2018, but now the national broadcaster has confirmed the bad news. In a short statement on social media, BHRT confirmed that the Balkan nation would not be involved in Lisbon.

The broadcaster made a short but powerful statement where they confirmed that “BHRT will not participate in Eurovision 2018”.

BHRT had previously told fans that the final decision would be made by 15 September — the deadline for broadcasters to make their Eurovision 2018 participation submissions.

But the @bheurosong twitter account is still feeling the love. The account has been styled in the branding of Eurovision 2018, which suggests that even if Bosnia and Herzegovina won’t be participating in Lisbon, they’ll at least be there in spirit.

While the non-return is disappointing news to fans, it also comes as no surprise to many.

Last month Bosnia and Herzegovina’s 2016 singer Dalal posted a link to a wiwibloggs article about the likelihood of her country winning Eurovision. Dalal added the comment “Too bad we don’t have representatives in 2018”.

It is also known that broadcaster BHRT has been plagued by financial troubles that make Eurovision entry an extremely low priority. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s last entry — Dalal & Deen feat. Ana Rucner & Jala with “Ljubav je” in 2016 — was entirely privately funded, through sponsorship and contributions from the artists themselves.

Last year, the broadcaster confirmed that they would not be able to participate in Eurovision 2017 due to its financial situation, including a €5.5 million debt to the EBU. A spokesperson said it would be “highly irresponsible” to enter “such an expensive project as Eurovision” when it could not afford to participate.

Bosnia and Herzegovina first entered Eurovision in 1993. Since the semi-finals were introduced, Bosnia and Herzegovina could always be counted on to quality for the grand final, until their entry in 2016 broke their lucky streak by only just missing out in 11th place.

Their best result was in 2006, when Hari Mata Hari placed third with the evocative Balkan ballad “Lejla”, written by 2004 runner-up Zeljko Joksimovic.

Bosnia and Herzegovina took a three-year break from Eurovision, from 2013 to 2015, before returning in 2016. And despite their absence this year and next year, fans are still hoping that Bosnia and Herzegovina will eventually return to Eurovision.

What do you think? Are you sad that Bosnia and Herzegovina won’t return this year? Share your thought below!

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sam
sam
6 years ago

i’m just praying that kazakhstan or kosovo may debut this year. maybe even lebanon if israel withdraws.

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago

Big loss for Eurovision. I still have goosebumps listening to Ostani Kraj Mene.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

I hate when this happens! 🙁

Elmar
Elmar
6 years ago

I think that the number of entries once again will be 42, eventually. Russia returns, San Marino withdraws.

random.sage
random.sage
6 years ago
Reply to  Elmar

Slovakia, I believe, mentioned focus on original TV shows and wouldn’t have much to spend on a quality ESC act.

Israel may or may not be back next year. The EBU is talking with two TV stations about participation and becoming EBU members but nothing much is said. There’s still doing Rising Star selection so maybe???

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago

Sad. Just sad. But I belive they will return someday for sure, but for Slovakia and Turkey – I don’t even know if they have any wish for participating – Slovakia is not such a poor country, and Turkey is so large they can afford it for sure… For small nations I’m really afraid – they have neither the wish(most of them) nethier the money… I think San Marino will withdraw this. And does anybody know what’s happening with Israel?!

Rodrigo
Rodrigo
6 years ago

Sorry for Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is sad.
I wonder what is the record?
43 participants in Germany 2011 ?????
Hope San Marino will hold on.

Ian Gallagher
Ian Gallagher
6 years ago
Reply to  Rodrigo

43 participants in Eurovision 2008 (Serbia) and 2011 (Germany).

xo kisses and hugs
xo kisses and hugs
6 years ago
Reply to  Ian Gallagher

I wonder if central countries (Serbia and Germany) are more accessible. Could this be a pattern?

thespb01
thespb01
6 years ago

xo kisses and hugs – Well Austria is probably the most central of all European countries, but they only had 40.

D
D
6 years ago

&Wiwibloggs Fo&O has disbanded they revealed today.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  D

Didn’t they lose one member before MF 2017?

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

Bosnia had a successful presence in Eurovision! They’ve always qualified since the semis were introduced (except 2016), they’ve sent some very good entries (for me 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012)
It’s sad some countries are not able to participate due to financial issues! But I’m hopeful some day we’ll see B&H again!

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

And no one is surprised! I stopped hoping a long time ago. Sad but that’s that. Don’t think they will ever return..

Ronda
Ronda
6 years ago

So this year there will be only one country returning, which is Russia and that is not a big achievement, because we all knew they’d come back. EBU has to do something. I expected Slovakia to return at least.. :/

Ian Gallagher
Ian Gallagher
6 years ago
Reply to  Ronda

Hopefully there won’t be any withdrawals.

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
6 years ago
Reply to  Ian Gallagher

I think it’s likely that San Marino will withdraw this year.

Tikriut Bvel
Tikriut Bvel
6 years ago
Reply to  Gorilla716

Russia hasn’t confirmed though….