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.