Dobre veche, Europe! The same source that recently confirmed Poland’s participation next year is now telling us that Serbia’s national broadcaster, RTS, is seriously considering a return to Eurovision in time for the 2015 context in Austria. Serbia withdrew from the contest in 2014 due to financial issues (this seems common), but will be participating in the 2014 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, which seems like a good indicator of participation in the adult equivalent.

This announcement comes after a very disappointing year for former Yugoslav nations, as FYR Macedonia did not qualify and Slovenia came second to last in the grand final. The one bright spot is that Montenegro qualified for the first time. A former Yugoslav country has not finished in the top 10 since 2012, and Serbia failed to qualify in 2013 with those outfits that some said looked like Candy Land vomit.

The region has a successful history in the Contest, but some say that success is driven by a system that encourages bloc voting.

Are they just jel? Will Serbia participate? Will the glory days of Balkan ESC entries return? Let us know in the comments below!

Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest: Recent Results

2007 Marija Serfovic – “Molitva” WINNER
2008 Jelena Tomasevic feat. Bora Dugic – “Oro” 6th place
2009 Marko Kon & Milaan — failed to qualify
2010 Milan Stankovic – “Ovo je Balkan” 13th place
2011 Nina – “Caroban” 14th place
2012 Zeljko Joksimovic – “Nije ljubav stvar” 3rd place
2013 Moje 3 – “Ljubav je svuda” failed to qualify

Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)

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Belko
Belko
9 years ago

Serbia probably won’t be back, because RTS isn’t financially strong right now. Same thing with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria, and Croatia probably.

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

I actually thought Verjamem was more powerful than Molitva, which though great lacked a bit in subtlety. The problem for me was that Eva Boto and the backup vocalists weren’t very strong live. To each his own, though. 2014 was underwhelming to me (especially the English lyrics) and I wasn’t surprised to see it finish near last. But it’s yet another case of where live instrumentation would make an act more interesting! Bosnia and Herzegovina had a really great entry with “Bistra voda” and I also liked 2006, 2007, and 2011. I’d like them to come back as well (just… Read more »

Charles
Charles
9 years ago

@Alex: After Slovenia’s Maja Keuc’s amazing voice and her powerful song (in English or in Slovenian the song retains a strength and impact undeniable) Slovenia has been unable to step up their game. 2012 was a complete turn off of a song even though the girl’s voice was adorable but it made no impact. Therefore not going to the final was not surprising to me, whereas it shocked everybody else ,,, and I never bothered to memorize her name or her song’s title. When it doesn’t speak to me, I shut down and apparently I wasn’t the only one being… Read more »

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

I’d be really happy if Serbia returned. Molitva, Nije ljubav stvar, and especially Oro were super high quality entries. Caroban and Ovo Je Balkan were enjoyable too (okay, the latter not so much live). People complain about the Balkan voting bloc, but really I don’t see it as big of a deal as the considerably larger Soviet bloc. Some of the Balkan songs risk being underappreciated simply because they’re not in English, and I can’t argue that they need a little voting boost to get somewhere. Crno i belo and Verjamem come to mind – the latter only got non-Balkan… Read more »

Ani
Ani
9 years ago

Good news if Serbia’s back in ESC

Rayman
Rayman
9 years ago

Charles: Yeah, both Finland and Norway could do terribly in the voting back then, you’re right there. The Nordic countries didn’t award points to each other every year, but it was more common that they did. Sweden placed 2nd in 1966 solely because of their neighbours. Sweden scored one single point outside of the Nordic fives. For what reason do you think the former Soviet and the Balkan countries vote for each other? Is it politics, is it because they want to be friendly (?) to their neighbours? I think the reason is, atleast with the televoting, people in those… Read more »

Charles
Charles
9 years ago

@Darren: Do you understand sarcasm? If you do, please read my comment again and this time around, seek for what’s written between the lines … 🙂 And if you watched the 1985 Eurovision Song Contest, you should know why I quoted Lils LIndfors …

Charles
Charles
9 years ago

@Rayman: If you know something about the so called Nordic bloc prior to the “coming out” of 1998 in Eurovision, you will understand how the Nordic countries weren’t always awarding each other all the time … Finland being one of misfortunate countries with poor results and Norway having the record of most last placings. I wonder: they may be a bloc … but unlike the Balkans and the Soviets …. they know better and they don’t allow themselves to be as ignorant or negligent musicallwise as the other two. If they don’t like a song either Swedish or Danish, forget… Read more »

Darren
Darren
9 years ago

@Charles

If music is so “universal” as you just said, then why are the ex-yougoslavs only voting for themselves? Hardly universal when actually talented singers and good songs are missing out.
Your comment was just you contradicting yourself.

Rayman
Rayman
9 years ago

Charles:

You forgot the Nordic “bloc”. :p

I felt that it was the Balkans who were ignored by the rest of Europe this year, as Slovenia only got points from two countries in the final and Montenegro from only four. Macedonia didn’t even make it to the final. None of the Balkan countries did it in 2013.

I’m glad that they seem to be returning, as they bring a lot to the contest. It would feel a bit empty without the Balkans.

Oostenrijk
Oostenrijk
9 years ago

Well, Vienna as the fourth biggest Serbian city, Serbia would be foolish to miss this chance of a home game.

Charles
Charles
9 years ago

@Deven O’Kearney: Let me rephrase that: Congrats the Yugoslav bloc voting is now coming back again. The soviet one is no longer lonely in this sad process of ignoring whatever the rest of Europe has to offer musicallywise due to geopolitical distance and ignorance. @Darren: No bloc voting? Do you dream too much or is that just an hangover from last night? These are the former Yugoslav countries we’re talking about, 6 countries with almost the same language, a common history, cultural background and music. How do you expect them to bother to vote for what is not related to… Read more »

Kristin Kristjans
Editor
9 years ago

*crossingfingers*

Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

Great to have the Yugoslav countries back. 😀

Darren
Darren
9 years ago

Glad that Serbia is managing to return, I have usually liked their enteries, such as 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Welcome back Belgrade!!!
(Just please, no bloc voting)

Patrick
Patrick
9 years ago

Why entering JESC and not ESC? I am sure they will be in Vienna/Graz/Innsbruck