At Eurovision 2011 Bosnian music legend Dino Merlin took the stage with the rompus little number “Love in Rewind.” He achieved Bosnia & Herzegovina’s second-best placing in its 18-year history at the contest. But just one year later — following the 2012 contest — the broadcaster forgot the euphoria of success. They withdrew from ESC and haven’t come back since.
Bosnia’s broadcaster BHRT has said there simply aren’t the funds to compete. Now Dino has spoken up, saying you don’t need deep pockets to make a fantastic turn on the Eurovision stage. “I think you should go out there only when you have a performance, it does not have to be expensive, it can be solid,” he said in a recent interview with N1. “You do not have to go all out just to be involved.”
Well sir, we couldn’t agree with you more! Minimalism is back in fashion (hello Loreen) and the days of Eurovision-as-fireworks-competition are over. You’ll remember that even in 2011 Dino’s act wasn’t over-the-top.
Bosnia & Herzegovina’s money crunch
The argument that Bosnia & Herzegovina can’t afford the contest is a curious one in light of participation from countries like Greece, whose debts are far deeper. In any event, the chances of Bosnian participation in 2016 don’t look good as the EBU has declared the country’s broadcaster BHRT is “close to collapse.”
But the will is still there: BHRT sent an initial application to participate in 2014 and 2015, despite withdrawing before the deadline on both occasions because it could not find private financial support. Maybe with some big names speaking up about Bosnia’s place in the contest, the country can attract the funds? We would love to see super camp disco numbers and disturbed men jumping out of laundry baskets again. Pleeeease!
https://youtu.be/-C_JHFXKyEU
In our recent Wednesday wishlist, Mario put forward the proposal of X Factor Adria contestant Magdalena Bogic. If Bosnia & Herzegovina returned, would you like to see Magda on the stage?
Never really liked Bosnia’s entries, and to be honest I think Bosnia is one of the biggest “political voters” in the ESC: since they’ve been participating, there’s been an explosion of the neighboring votes, a.o. from them to their Balkan friends. I’m not gonna lie, I am not sad that they don’t participate anymore, and I will not be if they don’t come back.
Bosnia hardly ever sent a bad song. One of my favourite countries that I wish to return.
If Turkey come back in 2016, we also see Bosnia in 2016. Without Turkey they wouldn t particape in contest.
@ #Luigi Vision of Straight Love
Your username genuinely made me laugh.
I would love B&H to come back. The more the merrier.
I want to see Bosnia Herzegovina back at Eurovision. Their entries have made me laugh, cry and go “Oh My!” or just simply “What the f^^^!!!”. But their public broadcaster IS on the verge of collapse and inevitably, they just don’t have the money to take part in Eurovision. But it doesn’t have to be that way (Very Filippa Bark of me. But I don’t think she said that. Don’t Compete In Musik.). I reckon the EBU should offer a helping hand to the countries that are currently tight for money (BiH, Greece, Ireland ETC.). The EBU could: 1. Examine… Read more »
Why does that money is issue? I mean greece participate, not problem has debt all day! Bosniaki need to join as soon too.
They often have good songs! Esp. 20088 and 2010, are two of the best entries ever. They should come back. Send Dubozia kolektiva Bosnia…! Cool ska / indiepoprock band, a bit reggae-ish
I’d so love to see Bosnia returning to the ESC! I miss them so much it hurts, they gave us such excellent entries. Loved (almost) every single one of them and miss them dearly. Please, Bosnia, please come back, I’m begging you!
*Bistra Voda* of 2009 was winning material song! <3 Pity that this song entered in such difficult tough Vision!
*Lejla* that did way much better & finished even 3rd in the Vision of 2006 was not that great compared to the GreAtY masterpiece *Bistra Voda*!
Its one of the best ever songs in history of ESC 4 me! <3
“Love in Rewind” was one of the best in 2011, “Pokusaj” was lovely and “Korake ti znam” was wonderful. Hopefully Bosnia & Herzegovina will return soon, they’ve sent some really good songs over the years.
I’d like to see them back, despite their 2008 entry being one of the worst in the whole ESC history, imo.
I hope they manage to come back asap.
They should indeed return. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a good Eurovision country.
it would be nice if they returned bosnia and herzegovina is my favourite country from the balkans at esc