Bosnia & Herzegovina have been dancing a merry little Eurovision hokey pokey for the past few years. They’ve been in, out, in, out and shaken it all about. And this year looked to be no different, until now! For this afternoon, the country’s national broadcaster BHRT confirmed that Bosnia & Herzegovina will sing at Eurovision 2016.
The announcement was made in a brief press release:
Radio and Television of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BHRT) is today, within the deadline for withdrawal without financial consequences, EBU (European Broadcasting Union) has confirmed participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, which will be held in Stockholm, Sweden.
In line with previous decisions of the Board, partners in the project Eurovision BHRT are provided funds for the payment of the registration fee for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 and guarantees a sponsor to cover the total financial cost of the project.
This means that BiH returning to this prestigious competition and we again get the opportunity to introduce the widest European audience potential of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This brings an end to the country’s three year break from the contest. We last saw them in 2012, when Maya Sar sang “Korake Ti Znam”.
Bosnia & Herzegovina turnaround
Today’s news will come as a pleasant surprise for most Eurovision fans. Bosnia & Herzegovina did submit a preliminary application in September, but the broadcaster withdrew it a month later. However, their return was not written off completely. At the time BHRT stated that it was still looking for sponsors and that the EBU had granted them the possibility of re-applying before the end of October. And for once that’s what happened. Today’s statement confirms that they have found a sponsor to cover all the costs. Halleloo!
Who should sing for Bosnia & Herzegovina at Eurovision 2016?
Many artists had expressed their support for a Bosnian comeback, including former Eurovision stars Dino Merlin, Hari Mata Hari and Marija Sestic, who would like to become the Valentina Monetta of the Balkans! Should they send one of them? Who else would be good? Let us know below.
Magnifique! Now, if only they could figure a way to entice Croatia to return, they would have all of Yugoslavia in this contest. Am I missing any other former Yugoslav republic?
Its so good that they are back. They have given some quality to the contest
watch them say ‘oh lol we didn’t mean to say that nvm we back out’ in like three days
at this point last year it was going to be hari mata hari for Bosnia and then they mysteriously withdrew–I wouldn’t trust BHRT even if they are saying that they confirmed participation
The best news I could have woken up too. Brilliant
great with more countries.. the more the merrier…. love it….
First b&h and now kaliopi! The balkans will be good this year…
yes I heard about Kaliopis participation. Good to see her again for Macedonia!
You need to add Kaliopi to that returning list now 😀
So 1 semi with 18 and 1 with 19 countries? That’s quite a lot
Eurovision.tv has also confirmed it!
Just saying that Kaliopi has confirmed on facebook that she’s singing for macedonia…
urgh, officials in bosnia need take the contest seriously. if they wanna join, then join. if not, then stay out. all this back and forth is tiring.
Woooooooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Such a polarizing country in ESC! They give some of the best entries (06, 09) and some of the downright WORST (08…what. was. that mess). I hope they send a great song, I wouldn’t mind another typical Balkan ballad.
To those of you saying there will just be more block voting, draw your attention to 2013 (where BiH wasn’t a participant) but Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and Slovenia all failed to qualify despite being in the same semi-final; same with Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania…..so don’t be presumptuous.
They won’t beat the record…..
According to the Bosnian media, we will know the artist(s) tomorrow evening.
Oh wow! Great! Sad about Bulgaria still, but fingers crossed, also for Croatia! 🙂
OMG, the most overrated country in ESC history is back.
Given their 100% qualification record, next years semifinal outcome is already pretty predictable.
Good to see B&H return…..
http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/musik/article21824387.ab
rip Bengt Åke … creator of the 1966 Swedish eurovision entry (second place).
I am literally dancing of happiness. After 3 years, we’re finally back into the game!
Now, let us hope for a great song in return 😀
Awesome! Now we only need 2 more countries to break Düsseldorf’s and Belgrade’s record!
Great to see them coming back. Hoping for a good song. 🙂
@Firehunter
Do everyone a favor and just go away! How many more posts are you going to bring this stuff up? Let us celebrate B&H’s return.
now wait and see what tunisia, bulgaria and croatia will do…
Positive surprise 🙂
I think I am crying. I gave up, but this is perect.
So now we have 42 entries? That’s almost a record!
Must say, I am pleasantly surprised by the decision. I gave up hoping for a return years ago so this was nice to see.
So pleasant that both my home countries will compete, Sweden hosting of course and now B&H!
Yaay:)
Probs not going to happen, but I’d love to see Dubioza Kolektiv represent BiH.
YEAH!!! this is getting very interesting!!
yass!! i didn’t expect that with bhrt ‘s financial situation but i’m happy they’re back they are my favourite balkan country at esc 🙂