Slovakia is eligible to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest and family of events, they last participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012.
Interest in Eurovision?
Slovakia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest on eight occasions. They made their debut in the contest in 1993 when they competed in the qualification round Kvalifikacija za Millstreet, and last competed in 2012.
The results of Slovakia in the contest to date are:
- 1993 – Elán – “Amnestia na neveru” – 4th (Semi-Final) – 50 points
- 1994 – Martin Ďurinda and Tublatanka – “Nekonečná pieseň” – 19th – 15 points
- 1996 – Marcel Palonder – “Kým nás máš” – 18th – 19 points
- 1998 – Katarína Hasprová – “Modlitba” – 21st – 8 points
- 2009 – Kamil Mikulčík and Nela Pocisková – “Leť tmou” – 18th (Semi-Final) – 8 points
- 2010 – Kristina – “Horehronie” – 16th (Semi-Final) – 24 points
- 2011 – Twiins – “I’m Still Alive” – 13th (Semi-Final) – 48 points
- 2012 – Max Jason Mai – “Don’t Close Your Eyes” – 18th (Semi-Final) – 22 points
Could Slovakia return to Eurovision?
Slovakia has continued to broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest since its withdrawal through its radio station Rádio FM. Between 2012 and 2023, RTVS the Slovak broadcaster had repeatedly explained that its non-participation was due to a lack of finances to enable participation. In 2016 they stated:
“the Eurovision Song Contest is an interesting and attractive project, but its implementation would have to go hand in hand with additional associated financial resources that are currently unavailable.”
In the Spring of 2023, RTVS reconfirmed the reasons for its non-participation, with participation only likely if a singer funded participation.
In the summer of 2023, the Director General of RTVS revealed that Slovakia is looking at potentially returning to Eurovision in 2025. Mr Machaj explained:
“Finances are very demanding and so is preparation. In 2024, we will declare that in another year – if everything goes without problems – we will enter Eurovision. We received relatively good offers for entry. It wasn’t something that would put us off, but it wasn’t small money either.”
A spokesperson for the Slovak broadcaster has confirmed to ta3 in April 2024 that Slovakia will not be participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. RTVS Communications Department, Zuzana Vicelová told the outlet that:
“Due to the reduced amount of the contribution from the state budget for RTVS, which was decided at the end of 2023, RTVS will not participate in Eurovision in other periods either. The participation of Slovak artists is associated with high financial costs, for which RTVS does not have the resources,”
Follow the latest news regarding Slovakia at the Eurovision Song Contest here.
Slovakia and other Eurovision family events
Slovakia last participated in a Eurovision event in 2015, when they participated in Eurovision Young Dancers represented by Valéria Stašková. RTVS explained its return as “supporting domestic production and promoting national culture on a European level”. Slovakia had previously participated in Eurovision Young Dancers in 1997 represented by Roman Lazik, he failed to qualify for the final.
Slovakia also participated in Eurovision Young Musicians once. On their debut in 1998, they qualified for the final represented by Michal Sťahel.
The nation also almost participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. When the lineup for the first edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest was announced in November of 2002, Slovakia was drawn among the countries to take part in the 2003 contest.
However, it wasn’t long until the Slovak broadcaster decided against competing in the 2003 contest. In May it was revealed that STV had withdrawn alongside Germany from competing with Poland and Belarus taking their place.
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.
Image Source: Eurovision.tv