Bosnia & Herzegovina is a country that has frequently delivered memorable performances at Eurovision. It has been over 7 years (and 6 contests) since Bosnia last participated at Eurovision but according to BHRT, the Bosnian national broadcaster, we will not see them next year in Sweden.
No return on the cards
Earlier this week, BHRT confirmed to ESCToday that Bosnia would not make a comeback at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden. This absence is primarily due to the economic and financial struggles, particularly difficulties with licence fees in relation to funding caps that BHRT has been facing for the past few years.
The last time we saw Bosnia on the Eurovision stage was in 2016 when the contest was held in Stockholm, Sweden. Unfortunately, as the contest returns to the Scandinavian nation in 2024 after Loreen’s win, Bosnia will not be taking to the stage where they made their last appearance, but we can only hope that they will make a comeback in the future. With Luxembourg returning to the contest for the first time in 30 years in 2024, all is not lost. Nevertheless, Eurovision fans and the rest of the world will surely eagerly await their return. Hopefully we won’t have to wait as long.
Bosnia & Herzegovina at the Eurovision Song Contest
Amongst Bosnia’s 19 participations after their debut in 1993, they have achieved numerous top-10 placings. Notable songs that have finished in the top 10 include “Love in Rewind” by Dino Merlin, who achieved 125 points and placed 6th in 2011 and Regina with “Bistra Voda” in 2009 who placed 9th overall with 106 points. Their highest finish was in 2006, when “Lejla”, sung by pop band Hari Mata Hari, placed 3rd in the Grand Final with 229 points – you can revisit their performance below.
We last saw Bosnia on the Eurovision stage in 2016 when Deen & Dalal, along with Ana Rucner and Jala participated with their song “Ljubav Je”. They narrowly missed out on a Grand Final spot, placing 11th.
What do you most miss about Bosnia & Herzegovina’s absence at Eurovision? Do you have a favourite act? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts.
