Slovakia’s absence at Eurovision is set to continue as Slovak broadcaster RTVS confirms the country will not be participating in next year’s contest, with financial restrictions being implicated as a deciding factor.
Financial limitations behind Slovakia’s non-return
Slovakia will not return to participate in the Eurovision Song Content 2024 set to take place in Sweden. The country’s continued absence has been confirmed by the head of the RTVS international relations department, Slavomira Kubickova, who ruled out any plans for Slovakia to take part in either the Eurovision Song Contest or Junior Eurovision in the near future.
RTVS previously disclosed that financial constraints have been the deciding factor behind the country’s continued non-participation in the contest. The broadcaster stated that that there are high costs associated with participation and they admitted they would be unable to fund this due to a current lack of resources.
Slovakia in Eurovision
Slovakia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest seven times, making their debut in 1994. They achieved their best result in 1996 when Marcel Palonder finished in 18th place with “Kým nás máš”. From 1999 the country took an extended break for the contest before returning again in 2009, when it failed to qualify for the final for four consecutive years.
Slovakia last appeared in Eurovision in 2012 when Max Jason Mai competed with the song “Don’t Close Your Eyes”. The song failed to qualify for the Grand Final, finishing last in the second semi-final.
Source : escxtra