Bulgaria have withdrawn from Eurovision 2023.
Bulgaria’s broadcaster BNT have confirmed that Bulgaria will not be participating in Eurovision 2023. The news comes after Montenegro and North Macedonia both confirm their withdrawal from the 2023 contest earlier today.
In a Direct Message on Twitter between BTN and OGAE Greece, the Balkan nation has confirmed it’s withdrawal from Eurovision 2023, with no return in sight.
“Bulgaria will not be taking part at Eurovision 2023 and most probably in the future editions as well. After analysis, it was decided that this program does not present an interest for the broadcaster any longer.”
Bulgaria and Eurovision
2023 will mark the third occassion that Bulgaria has withdrawn from Eurovision since making their debut in 2005.
Having competed every year from 2005 until 2013, the broadcaster took a break in 2014 and 2015. In November 2013, they announced they would not be participating in Eurovision 2014 due to financial reasons.
After initially submitting a preliminary application to compete in the 2014 contest, they confirmed their withdrawal a few months later, with the political situation in the country being the main reason.
BNT confirmed Bulgaria’s withdrawal from Eurovision a second time in 2019, when they confirmed they would not be present at the contest in Tel Aviv due to financial issues.
Bulgaria have seen varied success during their Eurovision journey. Having failed to qualify in their first two participations, they made it all the way to the top 10 in 2007 when Elitsa and Stoyan became the first Bulgarian act to qualify to the final.
Their next six participatiosns saw them stuck in the semi final. After a break, they came back stronger than ever, when Poli Genova achieved Bulgaria’s first top 5 placing in 2016. Their success continued in 2017 when Kristian Kostov almost brought victory to Bulgaria, finishing in second place.
Are you sad to see Bulgaria withdrawing from Eurovision 2023? Do you think the country will ever return to the contest? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
