Slovenia has competed in Eurovision since 1993 hosting the first televised qualification round and has seen its biggest success in the cultural contests.
Slovenia in Eurovision
Slovenia was one of three countries to join the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993. The country qualified through a specially organised selection round called “Kvalifikacija za Millstreet” which was hosted in Slovenia, seven countries competed for three spots in Eurovision 1993. Their best result came in 1995 when Darja Švajger finished 7th scoring a total of 84 points, she is closely followed by Nuša Derenda who finished 7th in the 2001 contest with 70 points.
- 1993 – 1X Band – “Tih deževen dan” – 22nd – 9 points
- 1995 – Darja Švajger – “Prisluhni mi” – 7th – 84 points
- 1996 – Regina – “Dan najlepših sanj” – 21st – 16 points
- 1997 – Tanja Ribič – “Zbudi se” – 10th – 60 points
- 1998 – Vili Resnik – “Naj bogovi slišijo” – 18th – 17 points
- 1999 – Darja Švajger – “For a Thousand Years” – 11th – 50 points
- 2001 – Nuša Derenda – “Energy” – 7th – 70 points
- 2002 – Sestre – “Samo ljubezen” – 13th – 33 points
- 2003 – Karemn Stavec – “Nanana” – 23rd – 7 points
- 2004 – Platin – “Stay Forever” – 21st in the Semi-Final – 5 points
- 2005 – Omar Naber – “Stop” – 12th in the Semi-Final – 69 points
- 2006 – Anžej Dežan – “Mr Nobody” – 16th in the Semi-Final – 49 points
- 2007 – Alenka Gotar – “Cvet z juga” – 15th – 66 points
- 2008 – Rebeka Dremelj – “Vrag naj vzame” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 36 points
- 2009 – Quartissimo feat. Martina – “Love Symphony” – 16th in the Semi-Final – 14 points
- 2010 – Ansambel Žlindra and Kalamari – “Narodnozabavni Rock” – 16th in the Semi-Final – 6 points
- 2011 – Maja Keuc – “No One” – 13th – 96 points
- 2012 – Eva Boto – “Verjamen” – 17th in the Semi-Final – 31 points
- 2013 – Hannah Mancini – “Straight into Love” – 16th in the Semi-Final – 8 points
- 2014 – Tinkara Kovač – “Round and Round” – 25th – 9 points
- 2015 – Maraaya – “Here for You” – 14th – 39 points
- 2016 – ManuElla – “Blue and Red” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 57 points
- 2017 – Omar Naber – “On My Way” – 17th in the Semi-Final – 36 points
- 2018 – Lea Sirk – “Hvala, ne!” – 22nd – 64 points
- 2019 – Zala Kralj and Gašper Šantl – “Sebi” – 15th – 105 points
- 2020 – Ana Soklič – “Voda” – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2021 – Ana Soklič – “Amen” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 44 points
- 2022 – LPS – “Disko” – 17th in the Semi-Final – 15 points
- 2023 – Joker Out – “Carpe Diem” – 21st – 78 points
- 2024 – Raiven – “Veronika” – 23rd – 27 points
- 2025 – Klemen – “How Much Time Do We Have Left” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 23 points
Slovenia did not qualify for the 1994 or 2000 Eurovision Song Contest due to its poor results in the previous years, RTVSLO did still air the contests. The Slovenian broadcaster also aired the 1992 contest without participating. RTVSLO will not participate in Eurovision 2026 in protest to Israel’s continued participation in the contest.
Slovenia and other Eurovision family events
Slovenia has seen its greatest success in the cultural Eurovision contests, taking multiple victories in different formats.
Eurovision Choir
Slovenia was one of nine countries to compete in the first edition of Eurovision Choir, the country has taken part in both editions of the contest held to date. Their results are:
- 2017 – Carmet Manet – “Ta na Solbici” / “Adrca” / “Aj, zelena je vsa gora” – 1st
- 2019 – Jazzva – “Fly, Little Bird” – 3rd
Eurovision Young Dancers
Slovenia debuted in Eurovision Young Dancers in 1993 and participated in every edition of the competition until it ceased following 2017. While they did not win the contest, Slovenia finished 2nd in three contests.
- 1993 – Ursa Vidmar – Did not qualify for the final
- 1995 – Damjan Mohorko – Did not qualify for the final
- 1997 – Ana Klasnja – Did not qualify for the final
- 1999 – Anna Klasnja – Did not qualify for the final
- 2001 – Eva Gasparic – Did not qualify for the final
- 2003 – Anze Škrube – Did not qualify for the final
- 2005 – Alena Medič – Did not qualify for the final
- 2011 – Petra Zupančić – 2nd
- 2013 – Patricija Crnkovič
- 2015 – Staša Tušar – 2nd
- 2017 – Patricija Crnkovič – 2nd
Eurovision Young Musicians
Slovenia first participated in Eurovision Young Musicians in 1994 and participated in every edition of the contest until 2020. Slovenia won the contest in 2010 and saw top three placements in 2002, 2014 and 2018.
- 1994 – Mate Bekavac (Clarinet) – Did not qualify for the final
- 1996 – Gal Faganel (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
- 1998 – Borut Zagoranski (Accordion)
- 2000 – Kristijan Kranjčan (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2002 – Karmen Pecar (Cello) – 3rd
- 2004 – Marina Golja (Marimba) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2006 – Luka Šulič (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2008 – Jan Gricar (Saxophone)
- 2010 – Eva-Nina Kozmus (Flute) – 1st
- 2012 – Blaž Šparovec (Clarinet) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2014 – Urban Stanič (Piano) – 2nd
- 2016 – Zala Vidic (Cello)
- 2018 – Nikola Pajanović (Violin) – 2nd
- 2020 – Sebastijan Buda – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Slovenia debuted in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2014, when Ula Ložar finished 12th with 29 points with the song “Nisi sam (Your Light)”. After that, it was announced that Slovenia’s representative in the 2015 contest would be selected through the national selection, Mini EMA. Lina Kuduzović with the song “Prva ljubezen” was chosen to participate in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Sofia, Bulgaria. There she placed third with 112 points, which is Slovenia’s best result in the competition. Despite this, the country withdrew from it in 2016.
- 2014 – Ula Ložar – “Nisi sam (Your Light)” – 12th – 29 points
- 2015 – Lina Kuduzović – “Prva ljubezen” – 3rd – 112 points
RTVSLO broadcast the 2016 contest but did not compete.
Other Programs
The following shows were also broadcast by RTVSLO of Slovenia:
- Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest – 2005
- Eurovision Song Contest’s Greatest Hits – 2015
- Eurovision Europe Shine a Light – 2020
Slovenia & Other European Broadcasting Union Competitions
Jeux sans frontières
Jeux sans frontières was organised by the European Broadcasting Union between 1965 and 1999, with thirty editions of the show held. The show saw broadcasters send teams to compete in a series of games, each broadcaster hosted one episode. Slovenia participated in four series; 1994, 1996 to 1997 and 1999. Slovenia was one of a handful of countries to sign-up for a relaunch planned for 2007, however, the show was cancelled.
Let the Peoples Sing
The contest was first held in 1961 by the BBC as an annual choral contest for choirs in the United Kingdom, since 1966 it has been a choral competition for choirs across Europe. Since the late 1970s, the European Broadcasting Union has organised the event with choirs allowed to compete from across the globe.
Slovenia’s history in the contest is:
- 2001 – Akademski Pevski ZborTone Tomsic – Adult Category Finalist
- 2005 – Tone Tomsic Academic Singing Ensemble – Adult Category Finalist
- 2009 – Dekliški pevski zbor Škofijske klasične gimnazije (Girls’ Choir of the Classical Diocesan Gymnasium) – Youth Category Winner & Overall Winner
- 2011 – St. Stanislav’s Girls’ Choir, Ljubljana – Finalist
- 2013 – RTVSLO broadcast the contest without a Slovenian finalist
- 2017 – RTVSLO broadcast the contest without a Slovenian finalist
- 2019 – RTVSLO broadcast the contest without a Slovenian finalist
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.
Image: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU