MusicThe Eurovision stage in Liverpool will be a little more empty next year. Since then, no less than three countries have renounced their participation in the song festival. In particular, the high cost of the event is causing the abandonment of Montenegro, North Macedonia and Bulgaria.
Montenegro had just returned to the Eurovision Song Contest last edition in Turin. But this weekend, broadcaster RTCG shared a statement. “In addition to the significant cost of the entry fee and the cost of staying in the UK, we also faced a lack of interest from sponsors.” Smaller country broadcasters often seek sponsors to cover costs.
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The decision not to participate in the Song Contest is in the interest of the citizens, taking into account the higher costs
North Macedonia also complains about the higher costs in its declaration of not participating. “The decision not to participate in the Song Contest is in the interest of the citizens, taking into account the higher costs due to the energy crisis and the increase in the registration fee for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. The cost of participation in the last edition was 39,143 euros and it is expected that it will be higher next year ”.
Bulgaria closes its doors to the Eurovision Song Contest
While Montenegro and North Macedonia continue to hold the door openly to a new participation in the future of the Eurovision Song Contest, Bulgaria is closing it harder. “Bulgaria will not participate in Eurovision 2023 and most likely not in the next editions. After the analysis, it was decided that this program no longer affects the broadcaster, “the responsible broadcaster said in a statement.
The choice of Bulgaria is striking because in recent years the country has become a certain finalist. From 2016 to 2021, the grand finale was reached every time, culminating in second place in 2017. Montenegro almost never managed to score in the Eurovision Song Contest. A thirteenth place in 2015 is the biggest success for the country. North Macedonia have reached the final only twice in the past fourteen years. Seventh place in Israel in 2019 was their highest score.
In addition to the abandonment of the three countries, it is also uncertain whether Moldova, Armenia and the Czech Republic will participate in the Liverpool festival. Hungary, Russia and Belarus have already disappeared from the Eurovision phase in recent years. The 2023 edition looks set to be the least crowded festival since 2014.
Belgium is expanding
In our country, the festival is approached on a larger scale. VRT is organizing a national festival in which seven participants will sing two songs. It is not yet clear which artists will participate. It is already known that “LikeMe” stars Pommelien Thijs and Camille Dhont will not participate. Laura Tesoro, who attended in 2016, has already announced that she will not be attending.
See also: “Who is competing to be the voice of the Eurovision Song Contest?”
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