Croatian Eurovision website Eurosong.hr have revealed that HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija) have confirmed that Croatia will take part in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, to be hosted in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv next May. HRT say that the selection process is yet to be determined.
Croatia’s participation had become more uncertain in recent weeks following rumours that the broadcaster was having to reduce spending following the purchase of rights for this summer’s major sporting events. A consequence of this was that The Voice of Croatia will no longer take place in spring 2017 as originally planned. Nevertheless, HRT have reaffirmed their commitment to the Eurovision Song Contest with this announcement.
There is good reason for that commitment too after Nina Kraljić gave Croatia their first qualification this year since 2009 when a jury wildcard helped Igor Cukrov and Andrea into the final. While Nina’s Lighthouse only reached 23rd place in the final, the qualification was surely seen as a major success for the recently unsuccessful Croatia which was a key factor for their withdrawal from the contest in 2014 and 2015.
Are you pleased that Croatia are staying in the contest for 2017? Let us know in the comments below, as well as suggestions of who Croatia should select as their artist!
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