Alexander Rybak: Eurovision misses Bosnia and Herzegovina’s unique voice

Rybak, who made history by winning Eurovision with a then-record 387 points for his song Fairytale, reflected on his deep appreciation for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s past entries and expressed anticipation ahead of his upcoming performance in Sarajevo on May 23. This visit, he said, will give him a long-awaited opportunity to finally explore the city and connect with fans in a more personal way.

“I was in Sarajevo once before, around 2010 or 2011, shortly after my win,” Rybak recalled. “But back then it was all rushing — airport to hotel, hotel to TV station — and there was barely time to rest, let alone see the city. This time I’m looking forward to simply waking up, going for a run before breakfast, enjoying the buildings, the architecture, the history… just taking it all in. Finally, I get to enjoy Sarajevo.”

While Rybak remains widely known for his Eurovision success, he himself holds a strong admiration for the region’s musical talent. In particular, he praised Bosnia and Herzegovina’s past representatives, calling their absence from the contest a loss for Eurovision.

“Bosnia always brought something real and authentic to the stage,” he said. “You were true to yourselves, not chasing trends, and that’s something Eurovision needs. I remember Dino Merlin’s 2011 performance, Love in Rewind. It was a beautiful, sincere performance. And in 2009, Regina’s Bistra voda — that was incredibly moving. Music like that leaves an impression.”

Rybak noted that Bosnian artists often chose to perform in their native language, which added emotional depth and cultural richness to their entries. “We need those kinds of songs at Eurovision. Most of your artists avoided singing in English — and that’s important. Eurovision is one of the few stages left in the world that still unites people through culture and emotion, not just competition.”

His upcoming concert in Sarajevo is part of a broader tour focused on creating more intimate, meaningful experiences for fans. Unlike typical large-scale concerts, Rybak’s shows are structured to allow more interaction with the audience, including shared performances and photo opportunities.

“This tour is about reconnecting,” he explained. “Over the years, I’ve realised that I’m the kind of artist people expect to meet after a show. And that’s hard when you have 2,000 people waiting for a photo — it could take eight hours. But I know I have fans in Bosnia and Herzegovina who have supported me for so long, and I want to give something back.”

The Sarajevo concert will include both his well-known hits and newer material, but more importantly, it will serve as a space for shared experiences. “It’s not just me singing to the audience — it’s us singing together. It’s very warm and personal. And then, after the show, everyone gets to take a photo with me. Or maybe I should say I get to take a photo with each of them.”