The song festival stage in Liverpool will be a bit emptier next year. No fewerthan three countries have since waived their participation in the songfestival. In particular, the high cost of the event is causing Montenegro,North Macedonia and Bulgaria to drop out.
Montenegro had just returned to the Eurovision Song Contest last edition inTurin. But this weekend broadcaster RTCG shared a statement. ‘In addition tothe significant costs of the entry fee and the costs of staying in the UK, wealso had to deal with a lack of interest from sponsors.’ The broadcasters ofsmaller countries often look for sponsors to cover the costs.
North Macedonia also complains about the higher costs in its statement not toparticipate. ‘The decision not to participate in the Song Contest is in theinterest of the citizens, taking into account the higher costs due to theenergy crisis and the increased registration fee for participating in theEurovision Song Contest. The cost for participation last edition was 39,143euros, and it is expected that it will be higher next year.’
Quote >>> The decision not to participate in the Song Contest is in the interest of> the citizens, taking into account the higher costs>> Statement North Macedonia
Bulgaria closes door for Eurovision Song Contest
Where Montenegro and North Macedonia are emphatically still keeping the dooropen for a new participation in the future of the Eurovision Song Contest,Bulgaria is closing it harder. “Bulgaria will not participate in Eurovision2023 and most likely not in future editions. After analysis, it has beendecided that this program is no longer of interest to the broadcaster,” theresponsible broadcaster said in a statement.
The choice of Bulgaria is striking because the country has grown into acertain finalist in recent years. From 2016 to 2021, the grand final wasreached every time, culminating in second place in 2017. Montenegro almostnever managed to score in the Eurovision Song Contest. A thirteenth place in2015 is the biggest success for the country. North Macedonia has only reachedthe final twice in the past fourteen years. The seventh place in Israel in2019 was their top score.
In addition to the three countries dropping out, it is also uncertain whetherMoldova, Armenia and the Czech Republic will participate in the festival inLiverpool. Hungary, Russia and Belarus have already disappeared from theEurovision stage in recent years. The 2023 edition looks set to be the leastcrowded festival since 2014.
Belgium is expanding In Belgium, the festival is being tackled on a bigger scale. The Flemishbroadcaster – which annually alternates participation with the Walloonbroadcaster – is organizing a national festival in which seven participantswill sing two songs. It is not yet clear which artists will participate. It isalready known that LikeMe stars Pommelien Thijs and Camille d’Hondt will notparticipate. Laura Tesoro, who participated in 2016 for the southernneighbors, has already announced that she will not participate.
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