As Serbia gears up for Pesma za Evroviziju 25, the country’s national selection for Eurovision, the competition has already been hit by high-profile withdrawals. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Serbian Eurovision community, actor Slaven Došlo and singer Bojana Vunturišević have both stepped back from their involvement with the contest, citing concerns over the current socio-political climate in Serbia.
Slaven Došlo, a well-known actor and host of Pesma za Evroviziju, has announced that he will not be returning to the show this year. Došlo, who was originally set to co-host alongside Dragana Kosjerina and Kristina Radenković, made his decision public in an Instagram statement:
With great appreciation for the RTS Entertainment Program team and respect for their efforts in organizing this complex event, I want to inform you that I have decided not to be part of Pesma za Evroviziju this year. In the current social circumstances, I do not see a way to fulfill my role as host with full integrity, nor do I feel comfortable standing behind this event in a way I consider right. Thank you to the audience for understanding.
Slaven Došlo
His withdrawal follows a call from university students urging public figures to boycott RTS (Serbian public broadcaster) due to concerns about media objectivity and political influence.
Singer-songwriter Bojana Vunturišević also made headlines by publicly declining an invitation from RTS to participate in the show. Vunturišević, known for her unique musical style and strong artistic integrity, posted on social media:
I, Bojana Vunturišević, an independent music artist, stand with the students, their demands, and their struggle until the very end.
The student plenary of the University of Arts, of which I was once a student, has called on us to refrain from participating in the production of informative, cultural-artistic, and entertainment programs of Radio Television of Serbia.
In response to their call, I publicly announce that I have canceled my participation in RTS programs to which I was invited.
I also take this opportunity to apologize to the editors of the music competition in which I was supposed to participate. I am deeply convinced that the people from the cultural, entertainment, and educational departments support the students, but as a musician, at this moment, I find it very difficult to take part in their programming, especially entertainment.
Entertainment tends to normalize everything and make it seem (on RTS, still) as if nothing is happening.As long as RTS does not provide objective reporting, as long as the Law on Public Information of the Republic of Serbia is not respected, and as long as reality is simulated, I will not participate in the work of the public media service.
Students, I stand with you.
Until the demands are met.Bojana Vunturišević
Her statement echoes the concerns of many Serbian artists and public figures who have criticized RTS for its alleged lack of journalistic neutrality.
Despite these withdrawals, the competition is set to proceed as planned. The first semi-final will take place on February 25, 2025, followed by the second semi-final on February 26, and the grand final on February 28. Hosted in RTS Studio 8 in Košutnjak, Belgrade, the event will feature a lineup of 30 competing acts, with 16 advancing to the final. The winner will be determined by a combination of 50% jury votes and 50% public voting.
Will the event go on without further disruptions, or will more artists take a stand? What do you think about these withdrawals? Do they affect your perception of Pesma za Evroviziju?
Let us know in the comments and on our social media profiles @buildingbridgespod!
Photo: RTS / Screenshot
Building Bridges Eurovision Podcast - buildingbridgespod.com 
Leave a comment