Bosnia & Herzegovina, the country that gave us Eurovision greats like Dino Merlin and Maya Sar, is unlikely to return to Eurovision in Austria this year. Long story short: they ain’t got no money, honey.

The ongoing financial crisis, which caused their withdrawal from Malmö and Copenhagen, doesn’t appear to be letting up. The AFP reports that recent floods have exacted around $2.7 billion worth of damage, which is equivalent to 15% of Bosnia’s GDP. When you’re trying to help people rebuild their lives, rebuilding your Eurovision programme seems a bit excessive…

The current tax regime doesn’t help. Bosnia & Herzegovina has one of the lowest TV license fees in Europe—just four euros for the year. According to Teve.ba, the government does a rather poor job collecting it. It’s no wonder that in a cash-strapped nation suffering from the chill of recession people are keeping their money to themselves.

But even with the rumours swirling, BHRT refuses to rule out a return. Our friends at ESCUnited report that the debate about Bosnia & Herzegovina’s questioned participation will take place after the FIFA World Cup.

Bosnia & Herzegovina last participated in 2012 with the song Korake Ti Znam by Maya Sar. You can see her performance below.

So where do you stand? Will you feel a void if Bosnia & Herzegovina doen’t return to Eurovision? Do you still hope for their return? Let us know.

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Zoran
Zoran
9 years ago

As a man who lives in B&H, I know that you’re compleatly wrong. First of all B&H is made of two entities Republika Srpska (Bosnian Serb Republic) and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. They are compleatly independant, except in UN for example and world politics and things such as Eurovision when one country gets one participant. When it comes to TV tax, the money isn’t split evenly. That’s why people from Republika Srpska don’t want to give their money to Federation of B&H. I think that you shouldn’t talk much about this theme. Because situation here is pretty complex and… Read more »

Grifit
Grifit
9 years ago

I am new to the Eurovision thing, I started to watch it in 2012 and I fell in love with Maya and Bosnia & Herzegovina, then I listened to Dino from 2011 and then again fell in love, I was impatient to hear their new song in 2013 and sadly the didn’t come back… and again in this year, I really really want them in 2015 but as everybody say and might agree, their people and country are first and they have to support the vistms from the floods u.u, lots of love to B&H I hope they recover soon… Read more »

Pastora Soler haha
Pastora Soler haha
9 years ago

Sadly not a surprise 🙁

btw in Spain we pay 0 euros for TV license, I had no idea that other countries have to pay.

David Thielen
9 years ago

They should offer their 12 points to Azerbaijan in return for their covering the costs.

Vlatko Horvat
Vlatko Horvat
9 years ago

Noooooooo! I/my family voted for Bosnia every year bar 1993-2005 and 2010 (as it was awful) (call me being political for being Croatian and what not.) I will miss Bosnia-Hercegovina at the Vienna. They’re one of those countries you can always rely on to qualify. 🙁

Yudhistira Mahasena
9 years ago

Bosnia and Herzegovina WILL be back to Eurovision for 2015.

Branko
Branko
9 years ago

They took part @ FIFA World Cup… that costs also a lot of money, right? And they had/have to pay to show the FIFA World Cup games on TV… Where did that money come from?

Nick P.
9 years ago

It’d be fantastic to have them back for the 60th, but if they can’t help the flooding victims and do Eurovision, the flood victims should come first. I hope they can do both though!

Timselvision
Timselvision
9 years ago

Bosnia & Herzegovina is one of my favorite ESC countries. From 2004 on, all of their entries have been in my top 15s, which is pretty good since I love almost every ESC song. They have been in my top five for three times, deserving two victories in my opinion (2009 & 2011). Their 2009 song is my overall favorite ESC song.

D
D
9 years ago

Bosnia and Herzegovina is easily my favourite ex-Yugoslav and probably in my top-five of favourite all-time countries. I’ve loved all of their songs since 2006 (except 2010’s that was just horrible in my opinion). But of course, if they don’t have the money they shouldn’t participate. The Balkan floods were hard on many people and Bosnians should work on rebuilding their lives and country before worrying about a television show. Anyways, I hope to see them in 2016 if they don’t return this year.

DR
DR
9 years ago

I’m not a big fan of their entries, found them a bit boring. But the more countries for the 60th, the better.
So pay up Bosnians, we need your entry.

beccaboo1212
9 years ago

No! Eurovision NEEDS Bosnia & Herzegovina!