BalkanVision Song Contest 24

Participation map
* Participating countries     Countries that participated in the past but not in #24
* **BalkanVision Song Contest**
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The **BalkanVision Song Contest 24** was the twenty-fourth edition of the BalkanVision Song Contest. The contest took place in Odessa, Ukraine, following Ukraine's victory at the BalkanVision Song Contest 23 in Novi Sad, Serbia, with the song "Palala", performed by KAZKA. The contest was held at the Chornomorets Stadium. It consisted of a final. The show was hosted by Vremya i Steklo and NK. The event was organized by the Balkan Broadcasting Union and hosted by Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC. The event was sponsored by *Ukraine International Airlines*. Seventeen countries participated. Montenegro returned after a one edition break, while Bavaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Gagauzia, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Monaco, Romania and San Marino withdrew.

The winner was Montenegro with the song "Jasno mi je" performed by Zoi. This was Montenegro's first victory. Transnistria came 2nd and North Macedonia came 3rd.

## Location

Preparations for the twenty-fourth edition began on the 25 March 2020, immediately after Ukraine won the twenty-third edition in Novi Sad, Serbia. The Balkan Broadcasting Union (BBU) handed UA:PBC, the Ukrainian participating broadcaster, a stack of documents and a USB drive with tools to begin the work needed to host the next edition.

### Bidding phase

Kharkiv
Kiev
Lviv
**Odessa**

On the 27 March 2020, it was confirmed by UA:PBC that 4 cities had submitted bids to host the contest. The hosting broadcaster reviewed the bids presented and on the 30 March 2020, Odessa was announced as the host city. Below are the 4 cities and their bids:

**Key**:  †  Host venue

 Odessa | Chornomorets Stadium †

### About the host city

**Odessa** or **Odesa** (Ukrainian: Оде́са; Russian: Оде́сса) is the third most populous city of Ukraine and a major tourism center, seaport and transport hub located on the northwestern shore of the Black Sea. It is also the administrative center of the Odessa Oblast and a multiethnic cultural center. Odessa is sometimes called the "pearl of the Black Sea", the "South Capital" (under the Russian Empire and Soviet Union), and "Southern Palmyra".

Before the Tsarist establishment of Odessa, an ancient Greek settlement existed at its location. A more recent Tatar settlement was also founded at the location by Hacı I Giray, the Khan of Crimea in 1440 that was named after him as "Hacıbey". After a period of Lithuanian Grand Duchy control, Hacibey and surroundings became part of the domain of the Ottomans in 1529 and remained there until the empire's defeat in the Russo-Turkish War of 1792.

In 1794, the city of Odessa was founded by a decree of the Russian empress Catherine the Great. From 1819 to 1858, Odessa was a free port—a porto-franco. During the Soviet period, it was the most important port of trade in the Soviet Union and a Soviet naval base. On 1 January 2000, the Quarantine Pier at Odessa Commercial Sea Port was declared a free port and free economic zone for a period of 25 years.

During the 19th century, Odessa was the fourth largest city of Imperial Russia, after Moscow, Saint Petersburg and Warsaw. Its historical architecture has a style more Mediterranean than Russian, having been heavily influenced by French and Italian styles. Some buildings are built in a mixture of different styles, including Art Nouveau, Renaissance and Classicist.

Odessa is a warm-water port. The city of Odessa hosts both the Port of Odessa and Yuzhne|Port Yuzhne, a significant oil terminal situated in the city's suburbs. Another notable port, Chornomorsk, is located in the same oblast, to the south-west of Odessa. Together they represent a major transport hub integrating with railways. Odessa's oil and chemical processing facilities are connected to Russian and European networks by strategic pipelines.

## Format

### Visual design

The theme for the edition, "*Feel The Music*", was unveiled on the 31 March 2020.

### Presenter(s)

Vremya i Steklo and NK were announced as the presenters on the 31 March 2020.

### Running order

The running orders were created by the producers.

## Participating countries

### 12 points

Below is a summary of all 12 points in the final:

## Incidents

### planned cancellation due to COVID-19

On the 18 March 2020, the BBU announced, that BalkanVision Song Contest would take a break due to the increasing number of infections of the coronavirus pandemic COVID-19 around the world and that it would be unknown when the contest is going to continue. During a press conference, the Council suggested the cancellation of the 24th edition. A week later, on the 25 March 2020, it was announced that the edition wouldn't be cancelled, but there have been made safety consequences.

## Other countries

Further information: List of countries in the BalkanVision Song Contest
Eligibility for potential participation in the BalkanVision Song Contest requires a national broadcaster with active BBU membership that will be able to broadcast the contest. The BBU had issued an invitation of participation in the contest to all active members.

### Active BBU-members

* Bavaria - On the 2 February 2020, Bavarian broadcaster BR announced their withdrawal citing scheduling issues as the reason. On the same day, BR announced that they intend to return in the next edition.

* Bosnia and Herzegovina - On the 13 February 2020, Bosnian broadcaster BHRT announced their financial difficulties have returned, making participation impossible. The broadcaster stated that they were uncertain about participation in further editions.

* Czech Republic - On the 15 February 2020, the Czech broadcaster ČT was bared participation after failing to confirm within the given deadline. The BBU fined the broadcaster.

* Greece - On the 15 February 2020, Greek broadcaster ERT confirmed their withdrawal due to a lack of interest by artists.

* Romania - TVR withdrew after they temporarily suspended their head of delegation after being dissatisfied with the country not winning the 23rd edition.

* San Marino - After initially confirming their participation, Sammarinese broadcaster SM RTV confirmed the country's withdrawal on the 3 April 2020 due to lack of interest by artists. On the same day, it was confirmed that the country would return in the next edition.

Following countries were forced to withdraw after they failed to give an accurate vote in the last edition:

* Gagauzia
* Italy
* Kosovo
* Monaco