RTVS has confirmed that Slovakia will not return to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2022 when the contest heads to Italy. They last took part in Eurovision in 2012, after a four-year stint back in the contest beginning in Moscow in 2009. The broadcaster also announced that they will not be debuting at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Paris later this year.
Despite giving no reason for their absence next year, the broadcaster has said in recent years that they do not participate as there is little audience interest for the contest in Slovakia. RTVS have also not broadcast the contest on TV since 2012, however Radio FM provides radio coverage in Slovakia during the grand final.
Slovakia says “no” to Italy and Paris
Head of Communication for RTVS, Andrea Pivarčiová told Eurocontest.cz that Slovakia would not be taking part in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest which will be held in Italy. They also announced that they would not make their Junior Eurovision debut in Paris in 2021.
Slovakia had previously been tipped to participate in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest back in 2019, but RTVS denied rumours of a debut in June that year. Slovakia’s last participation in a Eurovision event was the 2015 edition of Eurovision Young Dancers.
Slovakia at the Eurovision Song Contest
One of only three countries not to have reached a final in the semi-final era of the contest, Slovakia first took part in the contest in 1994 after failing to qualify from the pre-qualifying round the year before. Their best result to date came in 1996, when they finished in 18th place with Marcel Palonder’s “Kým nás máš”. Slovakia did not take part between 1999 and 2008, but returned to the contest in 2009.
During their four-year return in the semi-final era, they never reached a final, peaking at 13th place in the semi-final in 2011. The duo TWiiNS racked up 48 points with their song “I’m Still Alive”. Despite not making the final, Kristina’s “Horehronie” has become a major fan favourite in the years after the contest and is still one of the most watched entries on YouTube with over 17 million views.
Slovakia last took part in the contest in 2012, where they finished last in the semi-final.
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