Bosnia’s Maya Sar

Broadcaster BHRT has confirmed today that Bosnia & Herzegovina will make their Eurovision return in Copenhagen next year, having pulled out of last year’s contest due to financial difficulties.

A statement from the broadcaster read:

Last year BHRT withdrew from participation for financial reasons. This year the situation is not any better… nevertheless, the Management Board believes that we should find a solution in order to meet the interests of viewers and listeners, and prevent further distancing of BHRT from the EBU, the most important European association of public service.

There is currently no confirmation on how the country will choose its entry for Copenhagen. However, the broadcaster is seeking sponsors in order to get the financial funding for next year’s contest.

Bosnia & Herzegovina joins Portugal in returning to the contest this year. We’re still waiting for official confirmation that Serbia will join us in Copenhagen, but at least Bosnia’s participation neutralises the loss of nearby Croatia.The announcement that Sarajevo will take part in ESC 2014 also squashes the rumour that BHRT would snub Eurovision for Turkeyvision.

Bosnia & Herzegovina first made their Eurovision debut in 1993 and last competed in 2012 with Maya Sar and her entry “Korake Ti Znam”. They have yet to win the Eurovision Song Contest and their best result is third in 2006 with Hari Mata Hari’s “Lejla”.

Anthony Ko contributed this report from the U.K. Follow him on Twitter at @bjorneo. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by liking our Facebook page.

Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)

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Charles
Charles
10 years ago

@Petar: I fully understand your position because like you I believe millions in all the european countries who share similar languages, historical and cultural background will be more interested in their own “comfort linguistic zone”. But having said this, I have to say it shows that you have no interess in wanting to know or hear what other countries have to offer: spreading musical and linguistic horizonts never killed anybody. It’s possible for any human being to not shut down ears and brain when listening to music regardless country, sound, style and cultural features. For as long as it’s damn… Read more »

Petar
Petar
10 years ago

I think it’s not fair to judge bloc-voting. I’m from B&H, but I always loved Serbian songs way more, cause they are in same language. And of course I’d rather vote for Serbian song, that has been sung by performer I know, then for some Europe’s country and a performer I’ve never heard of. Same thing for Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Slovenia. All languages are simmilar and I understand all of them. Btw, you all know that these are Yugoslavian countries and that we all were one country for 100 years. It’s like I’m voting for my own country. Tell… Read more »

Charles
Charles
10 years ago

@Alex: In music we should be able to learn to “listen” more than expecting things to be seen … otherwise the song is playing no role in such sort of expectation. An expectation ESC fans have way too much for something that is first and foremost musical and requires our ears in the first place. We may not connect to the song emotionally or in any way but it’s easy to label a ballad as “boring” in Eurovision when nothings seems to be happening on stage … and I ask … ist it necessary? Really? Eurovision? Or did someone got… Read more »

Gavin
Gavin
10 years ago

Excellent news! I look forward to the selection songs (I hope) and of course the grand entry!

Z24
Z24
10 years ago

B&H, for me, it’s the blandest ex-yugoslav, but the most benefitted from its status. Their songs are good, but it was all decent, never great. 2006 I respect, but that’s about it.

In 2012, Nebo and Verjamem were the better ones, but again, B&H had their magic for them.

Fikri
Fikri
10 years ago

wouldn’t it be cool if countries can share an entry?

SQFan
SQFan
10 years ago

I find them underrated. “Bistra Voda” is still one of my favourites from 2009, as is “Korake ti Znam” from 2012. I also liked Vuky’s “Thunder and Lightning” in 2010 but was NOT a fan of Dino Merlin’s mid-life crisis song. 🙂

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

It was labeled as boring because, well, not much was going on in the song, especially for people who didn’t understand what the song was about. Even if you think the song is pleasant to listen to (which I do), they didn’t exactly turn it into a memorable stage performance.

BTW, Western Europe block votes too, just not as markedly. Belgium and the Netherlands traded 12 points this year, for instance, and they hadn’t had the opportunity to do so for awhile thanks to the Netherlands’ lousy recent history in the contest.

Charles
Charles
10 years ago

And the former yugoslavian bloc is making a comeback to do the same old same old top3 voting sharing with lots of smiles and a huge sence of cinism. Nonetheless they will never reach the level of arrogance from their sovietic counterparts. Still bloc voting is just … a complete shame! As for Bosnia … 2012 was a beautiful song … sadly one easily labelled as “boring” under the eyes and ears of ESC fans. Will they be musical and classy again or play the gay-trashy trick so welcomed and worshiped in Eurovision?

beccaboo1212
10 years ago

Yippee! Welcome back Bosnia & Herzegovina! Welcome back BHRT 😀

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

Yay!!! Welcome back Bosnia & Herzegovina! Hopefully there will be at least one former Yugoslav republic in the final next year.

Petar
Petar
10 years ago

I’m soooo happy! And btw, reason for not showing up on ESC last yeas is more bad organisation than lack of money. Sponsors would always donate enought to make it out. However last time, there was a bit of missunderstanding so B&H didn’t went to Eurovision.
As for Serbia, they will surely come back. With new Marija Šerifovi?, maybe… 😉