A further country has announced its withdrawal from the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Slovakia has decided not to participate.
Slovak nation broadcaster RTVS has announced that it is taking a break from the Eurovision Song Contest.
In a brief statement, RTVS said that it would be investing in domestic projects during 2013. This means that funding, that would otherwise go towards Eurovision, will be spent elsewhere.
Rumours abour the country’s participation had been flying around for a few weeks, first with Celeste Buckingham (video below) being announced as the performer, followed by unofficial news that Slovakia would indeed withdraw.
The final deadline for confirming participation in Malmö is 19 December.
Slovakia first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin in 1994, although did take part in the Ljubljana preselection a year earlier. Between 1998 and 2008 Slovakia took another break from the contest, before returning in Moscow.
In Baku Max Jason Mai represented his country with the song Don’t close your eyes. It finished 18th (and last) in the second semi-final.
