Today, the broadcaster officially confirmed to EBU that Croatia, the first winner of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest back in 2003, returns to the contest,  joining 15 other countries that already confirmed their participation.

After receiving Croatia’s confirmed application at the EBU Headquarters in Geneva, the Executive Supervisor of Junior Eurovision, Mr. Vladislav Yakovlev said: “To have the first ever winners of Junior Eurovision back in the competition is a happy moment for us all”. In hope for other countries to join the contest, he further stated: “It’s looking like we’re going to have 16 countries taking part this year, which is a great number and I’m very happy to welcome many countries both into and back into the Junior Eurovision family”.

Croatia entered the Junior Eurovision Song Contest four times, from 2003 to 2006. Dino Jelusić was the winner of the first contest with “Ti si moja prva ljubav” in Copenhagen in 2003. Their worst result came in 2005 when Dino’s sister Lorena Jelusić, came 12th with “Rock Baby”. After the country finished the copetition in 10th place when Mateo Đido sang “Lea” in 2006, the Croatian national broadcaster withdrew from the contest due to costs and difficulties in broadcasting the contest live.

This year, Croatia will test its luck once more in trying to repeat its result from 2003. The competition will be broadcasted on HRT2.