The First Pre-Qualification Round Creates Drama

MAY 15 1993 · 12:05

Kvalifikacija za Millstreet · "N/A" · Multiple · 1993 Language: N/A · Venue: Slovenia RTV studios · Host: Ljubljana, Slovenia · Type: deep cut · Broadcast: color analog Yugoslavia has disintegrated. Bosnia, Croatia, and Slovenia want to compete separately at Eurovision 1993. With too many applicants, the EBU creates the first-ever pre-qualification round, 'Kvalifikacija za Millstreet', held in Ljubljana. Seven nations compete for three final-round slots. Bosnia's Fazla, Croatia's Put, and Slovenia's 1x Band qualify. Hungary, Romania, Estonia, and Slovakia are eliminated. Context The 1993 pre-qualifier was held in a Slovenian RTV studio with minimal production budget. Ljubljana's selection came from RTV Slovenia's willingness to host. Fazla's Bosnia entry is now often framed against the geography, Sarajevo besieged while his team negotiated a UN exit to reach the pre-qualifier. Legacy The Kvalifikacija za Millstreet established the precedent for Eurovision semi-finals. By 2004, the contest had a standing semi-final round; by 2008, two semi-finals. The 1993 Ljubljana card is now cited in Eurovision structural history as the bridge from small-field grand-final-only contest to the modern two-semi format.