Bosnia and Herzegovina withdrew from Eurovision in 2017 due to financial debt to the European Broadcasting Union. Now, a well-known Eurovision figure is calling for its return to the competition.

The Bosnian national broadcaster BHRT announced that the country, which has not participated in the contest for almost a decade, will also be absent from Eurovision 2025 to be held in Switzerland. The reason for the country’s absence from Eurovision is due to a financial debt owed by BHRT to the EBU, amounting to about 8.36 million euros. Over the years, it appeared that Bosnia and Herzegovina had lost interest in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, a well-known Eurovision figure is now expressing renewed enthusiasm and urging the country to return to the competition.

Marija Šestić Advocates for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Return to Eurovision

Marija Šestić, who represented Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2007 with the song “Rijeka bez imena”, is advocating for the country’s return to Eurovision.

In a recent interview, she stated: “There are people who say we have bigger problems and more important investments to make than participating in the Eurovision Song Contest, but I believe that Bosnia and Herzegovina is part of Europe. It needs to be exposed to Europeans as much as possible and be seen in as beautiful a light as possible.”

Šestić emphasized the quality of Bosnian music, adding, “In the Bosnian music industry, there are many excellent musicians and the music we make is great. The competition is an opportunity for young and talented musicians to present themselves well and gain momentum.”