Could North Macedonia be returning to Eurovision in 2024?
The budget for North Macedonian broadcaster MRT has been published, and it suggests that the country could be returning to Eurovision next year in Malmö.
In the budget report, we can see that a total of 1,500,000 MKD (just over 24,000 euros) has been allocated to North Macedonia’s participation in Eurovision and Junior Eurovision.
Whilst North Macedonia’s Eurovision 2024 participation has yet to be officially confirmed or not confirmed by the broadcaster, the budget report does contain a paragraph stating that the country does intend to participate in Eurovision 2024, “where Macedonian musical values will be presented through the participating song at this festival.”
It is worth noting that this paragraph, or anything to this, was not present in last years budget, when the country withdrew from this years Eurovision Song Contest. It has however, been mentioned in their budget reports for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
In October 2022, North Macedonia sadly confirmed their withdrawal from the 2023 contest in Liverpool, citing the energy crisis, and the increased Eurovision participation costs, as their main reasons.
“Such a decision is in the best interest of the citizens, taking into account the increased costs due to the energy crisis, which occupy a large part of the budget of the Public Service, as well as the increased registration fee for the participation in Eurovision 2023, which until last year was 39,143.00 euros, and the next year is expected to be higher. This decision will enable the saving of funds that would have been set aside for the Macedonian delegation’s stay in Liverpool, where Eurovision 2023 is being held.”
North Macedonia’s last Eurovision participation was in Turin in 2022. The Balkan nation was represented by Andrea who sang her self-penned track “Circles”. She finished in 11th place in semi final 2 with 76 points.
North Macedonia will be present at this years Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Nice, with Tamara Grujeska as their representative. But will we be seeing them next year in Malmö as well? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo credit: Andres Putting / EBU
