The Eurovision Song Contest may have only concluded last month, but we still have Junior Eurovision to look forward to! Unfortunately for fans of Croatia, HRT will not be participating this year. This is the fifth consecutive non-participation since their last place finish back in 2014. They join Montenegro and Slovenia in confirming that they will not be participating.
Hrvatska radiotelevizija (HRT) has confirmed to Eurofestivales that they will not be returning to the Junior Eurovision for 2019. The broadcaster have cited budgetary issues for this; they cannot afford to take part in the contest. The same reasoning was presented by the Montenegrin and Slovenian broadcasters.
Junior Eurovision 2019
This year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Gliwice Arena, Poland, on the 24th November 2019. It marks the first time Poland will host a music-based Eurovision event!
At present, the following countries have confirmed their participation:
- Albania
- Australia
- France
- Georgia
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- North Macedonia
- Poland
- Portugal
- Russia
- Wales
Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest
Junior Eurovision participation is spotty for most competing countries, but Croatia is on another level. They debuted at the inaugural contest in 2013 in Copenhagen with Dino Jelusić’s “Ti si moja prva ljubav”. They won the contest with 134 points. The following year, they returned to the podium, achieving a third place finish with Nika Turković’s “Hej mali”.
Despite a strong start, they placed 12th and 10th in 2005 and 2006 respectively, before withdrawing in 2007. Following a seven-year absence, they returned for the 2014 contest, only to come last with Josie’s “Game Over”. HRT withdrew the following year and have not returned since.
Are you disappointed Croatia is not returning? Do you think they will ever return to Junior Eurovision? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates!
