We are spectators of another negative record this year, regarding the countries of Eastern Europe that will participate in Eurovision in Malmö, which will be held on May 7, 9 and 11. Of course, life goes on, but one would be blind not to notice the looming distance that is being drawn, again, on the Old Continent, between the Western and Eastern Blocs.
Although the EBU declares, at every opportunity, that the Eurovision Song Contest is not politically colored, there are many who disagree. After all, during most of its years of existence, the Eurovision Song Contest has experienced many political dramas!
Starting with the entry of Yugoslavia and Spain into the competition in 1961, both under dictatorial regimes, we moved on to the long-standing rivalry of Turkey and Greece, which led to several blockades in the seventies and eighties, on the occasion of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. Also, in the modern years of Eurovision history, we must not forget the clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also those between Russia and Ukraine, culminating of course with the two victories of the Ukrainians, in 2016 with Jamala and in 2022 with Kalush Orchestra, who showed in practice the massive support of Europe in the country that received two unjustified invasions by Russia, for reasons that still remain unclear today.
After the Second World War, Europe was divided into two blocs – the East, under the control of the Soviet Union, and the West, supported by the United States of America. Over time this division grew, resulting in what we know historically as the “Cold War”, a conflict that is taking place, behind the scenes, even today.
In recent years, the distance between the two blocs seems to be increasing, especially if we observe the chaotic financial and political differences between the states of the so-called Eastern and Western Europe.
In fact, the last time Eastern European countries participated in the Eurovision contest as a whole was way back in 2012, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Since then, ten countries have withdrawn / excluded from the contest:
- Turkey and Slovakia in 2013
- Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2017
- Hungary in 2020
- Belarus in 2021
- Russia in 2022
- Bulgaria, Montenegro and North Macedonia in 2023
- The tenth country that is not included in the list of Eurovision countries for 2024 is Romania, which these days continues to negotiate with the EBU about its participation or not in the Contest!
What led to the withdrawal of Eastern European countries from the competition? Is this the beginning of a trend or something temporary that we shouldn’t worry about? Are any of the countries planning to return in the future or will the list of participating countries be reduced from now on? Follow us in the review!
TURKEY
- First participation: 1975 – Semiha Yankı – “Seninle Bir Dakika”
- Last entry: 2012 – Can Bonomo – “Love Me Back”
Between 1975 and 2000, Turkey was considered one of the not so successful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest. At a time when voting was done only by the juries, Turkey was repeatedly placed at the bottom of the scoreboard and it was all too obvious that the judges had an inability to connect with Turkey’s musical proposals.
A bright exception was the ninth place in 1986 with “Halley” by Klips & Onlar that brought Turkey into the top ten for the first time.
The 90s came, but the pattern didn’t change until 1997, when for the first time Turkey managed to make it to the top five, with Şebnem Paker & Etnic’s “Dinle” taking the third place!
With the introduction of the televote starting in 1998, Turkey flourished, to triumph in 2003, achieving its first and only victory with Sertab Erener’s “Everyway That I Can”! Since then Turkey managed to enter the top ten six more times (2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012) and became one of the most successful countries. Undoubtedly, many connected this fact with the votes that Turkey received from immigrants, who were scattered throughout Europe.
However, since Eurovision 2009 something was beginning to break. In the same year, the jury’s vote returned to the competition, combined, this time, with the audience’s vote. The judges did not support Turkey’s songs and ranked it low on their lists. The situation came to a head in 2011 when Turkey, with Yüksek Sadakat and “Live It Up” was out of the Final.
In late 2012, Turkey caused quite a stir when they unexpectedly informed the EBU that they were withdrawing from the Contest. Turkey justified its withdrawal by stating that they are no longer satisfied with the rules of the competition – starting with the new voting system that gives too much power to the judges – ending up commenting on the establishment of the BIG 5 (Italy, Great Britain, Germany, Spain and France) which automatically participate in the Final each year.
Many claimed that this was just an excuse and that the real reason for Turkey’s withdrawal is its transformation from a liberal, pro-European country to a strict Muslim one, whose laws and character do not match the Eurovision contest, which is identified with the LGBT community.
In recent years there has been an attempt by the EBU to initiate the return of Turkey, however the re-election of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan put a gravestone to this possibility, as all the contacts so far have failed miserably!
Slovakia
- First participation: Eurovision 1994 – Martin Ďurinda & Tublatanka – “Nekonečná pieseň“
- Last entry: Eurovision 2012 – Max Jason Mai – “Don’t Close Your Eyes”
Slovakia planned to debut in the competition in 1993, but due to the accession of several countries from the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, Elán and “Amnestia Na Neveru” did not pass the stage of the initial pre-selection.
Thus the official inclusion of Slovakia in the Eurovision family took place in 1994, but due to its low achievements and the regulations of the time, it was condemned to an almost continuous absence from the Contest. In fact Slovakia only participated in 1994, 1996 and 1998.
In 2000 Slovakia was eligible to return to the competition but Slovakian television network, SVT, chose to withdraw, citing financial difficulties. In the early 2000s, SVT ignored Eurovision, but after the entry of the Czech Republic, in 2007, the return of Slovakia was launched, with a new broadcaster, RTVS.
In 2009, Slovakia returned to the competition and in 2010 with a bang, as Kristina Pelakova’s “Horehronie” was much loved by eurofans, even if it did not qualify for the Grand Final. The country’s entries in 2011 and 2012 were not as successful as expected, as both TWiiNS with “I’m Still Alive” and Max Jason Mai with “Don’t Close Your Eyes” didn’t reach the Finals. The thrill of Eurovision was never actually there for the Slovaks who have been absent continuously since 2013!
In August 2023, Luboš Machaj (CEO of RTVS) and Zuzana Vicelova (Head of Public Relations & Communication of RTVS), stated that Eurovision is a concept that interests Slovakia and hinted that in 2025 they will return!
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
- First entry: Eurovision 1993 – Fazla – “Sva Bol Svijeta”
- Last entry: Eurovision 2016 – Dalal & Deen feat. Ana Rucner & Jala – “Ljubav Je”
The breakup of Yugoslavia in 1991 split the once superpower into new states, which were established within its territory. One of them was Bosnia-Herzegovina, which made its Eurovision debut in 1993.
Bosnia and Herzegovina entered the contest at the height of a bloody war on their territory and received loud cheers from the audience. In the first years, Bosnia’s results were moderate, however, as in the case of Turkey, the change of the voting system and the introduction of televoting, in the early 2000s, made Bosnia and Herzegovina flourish and become one of the dominant countries, as its musical proposals were loved by the public.
Since the semi-final system began in 2004, Bosnia and Herzegovina will be one of the few countries to qualify for the Final every year, reaching the top ten five times (2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011). Their best result will be achieved, in 2006, in Athens with Hari Mata Hari finishing third with “Lejla”.
In late 2012, the Bosnian television network, BHRT, announced that they would withdraw from Eurovision 2013 due to financial difficulties, hoping to return to the contest in 2014. However, the financial issues were not resolved and the country was absent again in 2014 and 2015.
In 2016, Bosnia made a comeback, financed entirely by Deen, the artist who represented them, however, the comeback did not last long and a year later Bosnia and Herzegovina found themselves out of the competition again.
Over time, it became clear that the Bosnian broadcaster, BHRT, was facing major financial problems, and the EBU imposed sanctions on it for its debts. Although six years have passed since Bosnia-Herzegovina withdrew from the competition, BHRT’s financial situation has not improved and last November the EBU announced that Bosnia-Herzegovina is still under sanctions, which will not allow them to participate in future Eurovisions.
HUNGARY
- First participation: Eurovision 1994 – Friderika Bayer – “Kinek Mondjam El Vétkeimet”
- Last entry: Eurovision 2019 – Joci Pápai – “Az én apám”
Hungary planned to participate in the competition in 1993, but due to the accession of several countries from the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, they did not pass the stage of initial pre-selection. So Andrea Szulák never traveled to Ireland’s Millstreet and the “Árva reggel” was never heard in Europe.
A year later, in 1994, Hungary made a sweeping debut as Friderika Bayer’s “Kinek mondjam el vétkeimet” finished in fourth place, the country’s best result at the Eurovision Song Contest. In the following years, Hungary was unable to replicate its success, finishing both in the middle and bottom of the table. Hungarian interest waned and the country stayed away from the competition from 1999 until 2005.
Hungarian return, in 2005, was again met with a wave, as Hungary were considered favorites to even win, with NOX and “Forogj Világ” eventually narrowing down to twelfth place! Hungary’s comeback was short-lived and in 2006 they chose to retire again due to financial difficulties.
A year later, in 2007, Magdi Rúzsa traveled to Helsinki with “Unsubstantial Blues” and brought her country to the top ten for the second time!
In 2008 Hungary moved to mediocrity, only to create absolute chaos in 2009. Specifically, in 2009, the country replaced its representative three times. Initially, Márk Zentai was chosen, but “If You Wanna Party” was excluded after it was discovered that the song was a remake of a Swedish song that had been released five years earlier, in 2004. Second choice was Kátya Tompos. The song “Magányos csónak” was especially loved by eurofans, but Kátya suddenly withdrew. Finally the country was represented by Zoli Ádok and “Dance With Me” who failed to qualify from the semi-finals in Moscow.
The Hungary – Eurovision drama continued and Hungary pulled out again in 2010 only to return in 2011 stronger than ever. During the years 2011 – 2018, Hungary counted an enviable streak, achieving an absolute 8/8. In 2014 András Kállay-Saunders with “Running” was ranked fifth, achieving the country’s second best result in its turbulent history.
In 2019 , the streak was broken, as Joci Pápai with “Az én apám” finished twelfth in his semi-final, and Hungary surprised many by announcing that they were withdrawing (for the fourth time!) due to financial difficulties. As if that wasn’t enough, the Hungarian television network, MTVA, claimed that they prefer to invest financial resources in local productions instead of Eurovision, while voices were heard claiming that the real reason for the withdrawal was that Eurovision had become too identified with the LGBT community.
Since then, Hungary has a regime of illiberal democracy (with Viktor Mihály Orbán as prime minister) and is absent from the competition. Things are rather dark for a return, as we should expect a miracle or a political revolution, which will bring the country back to a pro-European trajectory.
BELARUS
- First entry: Eurovision 2004 – Aleksandra & Konstantin – “My Galileo”
- Last entry: Eurovision 2019 – Zena – “Like It”
Belarus is a country that has contributed quite a bit of drama throughout its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
In fact, Belarus never managed to make its mark at Eurovision and therefore its participation was never accompanied by any special achievement, apart from Dmitry Koldun’s sixth place with “Work Your Magic”, in 2007.
Belarus is known as the country that almost every year chose a song for Eurovision and changed it the next moment:
- In 2005 Angelica Agurbash won the country’s preselection with the song “Boys and Girls” , but chose to sing “Love Me Tonight” at Eurovision.
- In 2010 the group 3+2 was chosen by direct assignment to perform the song “Far Away” but ended up competing with “Butterflies” .
- In 2011 Anastasia Vinnikova was selected with the song “Born in Belarussia”, which was remixed and released under the name “I Am Belarussian”. The song in its new version, which sounded almost like the first version, was excluded from the contest because it was performed publicly a year before Eurovision. This fact raises the question of why the first version of the song was not canceled as well since the differences were truly infinitesimal. In the end, Anastasia competed in Eurovision with the song “I Love Belarus” .
- In 2012, Alyona Lanskaya won the Belarusian qualifiers with the song “All My Life”, but was disqualified from the competition due to suspicion of fraud. Thus, the runners-up of the national final Litesound were sent to Eurovision with “We Are The Heroes” .
- In 2013, Alyona Lanskaya won the national final again, with the song “Rhythm of Love”. This time Alyona was not accused of rigging the vote, but she also did not compete with “Rhythm Of Love” which overnight turned into “Solayoh”.
In 2020, Val won the national final of Belarus. Due to the cancellation of the competition due to the COVID – 19 pandemic, Val never traveled to Rotterdam, Netherlands. A few months later, the duo said in an interview that the Belarusian television network, BTRC, would not allow them to speak to the European media, effectively excluding them without even informing them. They said that this happened because they had expressed their opposition to the dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus.
In early 2021, calls began to be heard for Belarus to be kicked out of the competition due to the political situation in the country. However, the EBU approved the participation. A month later the real drama began: Belarus chose to be represented by the band Galasy Zmesta, with the song “Ya Nauchi Tebya”. The song was quickly recognized as political and especially supportive of the Belarusian dictator. The EBU banned the song, giving BTRC a chance to replace it. The replacement was made, to choose the also political “Pesnya pro zaytsev”, which brought about the looming exclusion.
Belarus was excluded from the Eurovision Song Contest due to lack of freedom of expression in the country. The expulsion of the country is valid until 2025. In fact, this was the historic, first time that the EBU took such a step, choosing to remove a country both from the competition and from the Association of Broadcasters.
Farewell to Belarus is probably definitve, if we include in the above the practical support of the country towards Russia after the invasion in Ukraine.
Russia
- First entry: Eurovision 1994 – Youddiph – “Vechni Stranik”
- Last entry: Eurovision 2021 – Manizha – “Russian Woman”
Russia, like most Eastern European countries, joined the competition in the early 1990s and debuted in 1994. Over the years, Russia gained the status of a powerful country in the contest and became one of the most successful countries in Eurovision.
In fact, between the years 2000 – 2021, Russia managed to finish fifteen times in the top ten of the televote. They also won the Eurovision Song Contest, in 2008, with Dima Bilan’s “Believe”. The bad tongues were quick to throw their medicine, attributing Russia’s success to the massive vote of Eastern European countries, some of which were also members of the former Soviet Union.
Already in 2013, something began to break, when in the background voices began to be heard about measures taken by Russia against the russian gay community. Later Russia invaded the Crimean peninsula, which belonged to Ukraine. This did not prevent Russia from participating in Eurovision and although the European public voted and cheered for their entries, the representatives themselves were the recipients of disapproving comments from spectators in the arenas where the Contest was held.
The storm calmed for a short time and Russia managed to win the public vote at Eurovision 2016, with Sergey Lazarev and “You Are the Only One”. Of course, fate brought it so that the Competition that year was won by the rival, Ukraine, with Jamala’s highly politicized “1944”.
In 2017 the Contest would be held in Kyiv, Ukraine and Russia chose Yuliya Samoylova with the song “Flame Is Burning”. The singer had visited the Crimean peninsula, which were then occupied by Russia, two years earlier and the fact of her choice was considered, by the Ukrainians, as a political statement. Russia denied the incident, but the Security Service of Ukraine imposed a three-year entry ban on Yuliya Samoylova. The EBU tried to find a solution to escalate the tension, even suggesting the singer perform via satellite.
A month later Russia chose to withdraw from the competition for a year, only to return in 2018 again with Yuliya Samoylova, but not on Ukrainian soil this time. “I Won’t Break” is also the only Russian song since the 2004 semi-finals to fail to qualify for the Final.
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Ukrainian television network SU submitted a petition to the EBU demanding the suspension of Russian broadcasters and the expulsion of Russia from the competition. This petition was later co-signed by several European countries, including Sweden, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Estonia and Finland, which threatened to withdraw from the competition if Russia participated. The EBU bowed to pressure and a week later announced Russia’s expulsion from Eurovision and froze the participation of Russian broadcasters.
Just this year and on the occasion of Israel’s participation, or not, in Eurovision 2024, the EBU was asked to clarify the situation about what really happened with Russia.
In 2022, after the invasion of Ukraine, the governing bodies of the EBU decided to exclude Russia from the Eurovision Song Contest, where they were to compete together with Ukraine! Insisting on the fact that Eurovision is a competition for broadcasters and after repeated violations of its obligations as a member, but also violations of the values of the Mass Media in general, we have decided to suspend membership for Russia!
EBU
The EBU has suspended Russia’s participation until further notice and a return is rather unlikely, especially in the near future, with the current political regime and as long as the hostilities on Ukrainian soil continue.
BULGARIA
- First participation: Eurovision 2005 – Kaffe – “Lorraine”
- Last entry: Eurovision 2021 – Intelligent Music Project – “Intention”
Bulgaria is one of the mysterious trains of Eurovision, with great instability in their performance. They joined the competition in 2005 and in the first two years they failed to qualify for the finals. In 2007, under the auspices of Eastern European countries hosting the competition, Bulgaria managed to reach the final and finish in fifth place with Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankulov performing the song “Water”. The success did not last long and between the years 2008 – 2013 Bulgaria did not manage to be in the Finals.
In fact, at the end of 2013, the Bulgarian television network, BNT, announced its withdrawal from the competition due to financial difficulties.
Bulgaria was absent for three years and made its return in 2016, with a special appetite, which also brought success. Poli Genova and “If Love Was A Crime” reached fourth place and a year later Kristian Kostov brought them a breath away from their first victory, giving them the second plavce with “Beautiful Mess”.
In 2019, Bulgaria was forced to withdraw from the competition for a second time, again citing financial difficulties, and returned with pop star Victoria, consecutively in 2020 and 2021. In 2022 the smashing representation of the country by Intelligent Music Project and “Intention” ended in a Waterloo and so in 2023, Bulgaria withdrew for the third time.
Since then Bulgaria has been absent from Eurovision, and although every year we have dramas (especially on X) about a rumored return, with artists proposing themselves to represent their country, nothing has been made official so far.
MONTENEGRO
- First entry: Eurovision 2007 – Stevan Faddy – “Ajde Kroci”
- Last entry: Eurovision 2022 – Vladana – “Breathe”
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the separation of Montenegro from Serbia did not benefit the country, at least as far as the Eurovision Song Contest is concerned. The two participated in the competition under the name of Yugoslavia until 1992, and between the years 2004 – 2005 under the association of Serbia and Montenegro.
The Serbian-Montenegro union for the two years they participated at least seems to have found the golden recipe, with a second place in 2004 with Željko Joksimović’s “Lane Moje” and a seventh place in 2005 with No Name’s “Zauvijek Moja”.
After the split, the two countries re-entered the competition as independents, in 2007, and while Serbia has enjoyed great success over the years and has become one of the public’s favourites, Montenegro has been left behind.
In particular, Montenegro failed to qualify for the final between the years 2007 – 2009, at which time came the first exit from Eurovision, due to economic difficulties. Of course, they returned again in 2012, but again they failed to get the ticket for the Grand Final.
In fact, the first time that a montenegrian entry was heard in a Eurovision Final was in 2014 when Sergej Ćetković performed “My World”. In 2015, Montenegro made a back to back with Knez and “Adio“ finishing in 13th place, which is the country’s best result to date.
The second exit, again for financial reasons, came in 2020. Montenegro returned for a single appearance in 2022 only to exit again for a third time.
Regarding Montenegro, a return in 2025 is possible, as in early 2024, its broadcaster, RTCG, said they plan to launch a televised music festival, which will aim to promote local artists and depending on the budget it can be used as a national final for the selection of a representative for Eurovision.
NORTH MACEDONIA
The Balkan country participated in the competition until 2018 under the name “Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”. The country has been participating since 1998, with moderate to poor results in the early years.
Since 2004, when the Semi-Finals were established, FYROM has enjoyed some success, close to the rest of the Eastern European countries, that were thriving, managing to qualify for the Eurovision Finals for four consecutive years (2004 ,2005,2006,2007).
However, the return of the juries to the competition, in 2008, did not work in favor of the small Balkan country and thus they were out of the finals between the years 2008 – 2009, although it is worth noting that they were qualified in the televote.
Between the years 2008 – 2022, North Macedonia was only twice in the Eurovision Finals. The first was in 2012 with Kaliopi and the song “Crno i belo”. The second was in 2019 with Tamara Todevska and “Proud”.
In fact, the case of 2019 is more complex, as FYROM changed their name to adopt North Macedonia, in implementation of the Prespa Agreement, signed in the Psarades region of Florina, by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Greece – North Macedonia, Nikos Kotzias and Nikola Dimitrov. The new name needed to be heard in Europe and Tamara Todevska won the jury vote.
At the end of 2022, North Macedonia first announced its withdrawal from the Eurovision Song Contest, due to financial difficulties, and in recent months has been holding discussions in an attempt to return to the contest.
Although it initially seemed that the funds for participation had been found (it should be noted that the country normally participated in Eurovision Junior), its broadcaster, MRT, chose not to return to the contest this year, leaving the possibility open for 2025.
What we expect to see in 2025?
Having made the above review of the 9 countries of the Eastern Bloc that will definitely be absent from the Eurovision Contest this year (Romania is still under discussions!) it is important to clarify, in defense of the countries facing financial difficulties, that the participation fees in the competition is already increased, especially after the exclusion of Russia.
It seems that, if nothing extraordinary happens, the 37 countries of 2024 will also participate in 2025. Undoubtedly, the best chances for a return in 2025 are Slovakia, North Macedonia and Montenegro.
Based on the data so far, the Eurovision concept is probably financially unprofitable for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bulgaria. If Bosnia comes to a settlement with the EBU regarding its debts, of course it is not unlikely that we will see them returning. Regarding Romania, it seems that every year its decision will be a surprise for the fans as TVR’s finances are not in the best possible condition.
Finally, due to political circumstances and undemocratic, illiberal regimes, it is rather unlikely to expect the return of Turkey, Hungary, Russia and Belarus.
Which country would you like to see return to the Eurovision Song Contest?
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It’s sad, isn’t it?