They returned to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 with renewed passion and a much better ear for quality songs.

And on Tuesday the Czech Republic made it clear that they are ready to rebound from last year’s semi-final elimination, confirming in a statement that they will participate at Eurovision 2018 in Lisbon.

Karolína Blinková, the spokeswoman for Czech Television, revealed the submission process for what appears to be an internal selection.

“Any songs not published on any platform before 1 September 2017, and no more than three minutes long, are eligible for registration,” she writes. “Both Czech and foreign composers and performers may apply – the only condition is that at least one of the main vocalists must be Czech. Pieces may be sent to the following email address: [email protected].”

Creative producer Jan Potmesil suggests that producers are already drafting their shortlists, communicating with top artists and plotting how to slay the stage in Lisbon.

“Participation has been promised by, among others, performers including Dasha, Thom Artway, Mikolas Josef, Marketa Konvickova, Pavel Callta, Elis Mraz, Yanna, Mariana Pracharova, Annabelle, and the bands Doctor Victor and Eddie Stoilow,” he says.

“The winning artist will get the absolute attention, including performances in at least six European countries on local stages.”

“This season we are going to put special focus on stage performance and look – we would like to prepare everything in Czech Republic and bring it to Portugal. We really appreciate growing interest amongst the Czech musicians and producers. It shows a positive attitude towards the biggest and most spectacular musical show in the world.”

As part of their press release, the Czech Eurovision team gathered some thoughts from their most recent acts.

“I believe that the Czech Republic has enough to offer and show,” says Gabriela Guncikova, the only Czech artist ever to qualify for the grand final and the first to sing at a #WiwiJam. “The Eurovision Song Contest is, above all, a game, and I believe that participating in international games is much healthier than being a part of international conflicts.”

Marta Jandova, who sang with Vaclav Noid Barta in 2015, encouraged other top Czech artists to get in on that game.

“I have to say that both Vaclav and I have gained a lot of new fans from countries all over the world who follow our social networks,” she says. “That alone makes our participation in Eurovision worthwhile. When the performer is somebody who is not well-known to people, such as Martina Barta last year, it is a stunner for them as beginners and for us too, even though we are not beginners anymore.”

In a video interview with Czech TV, she also questioned why some countries send sub-par acts. “What bugs me is the quality of some singers,” she says. “I don’t understand why some countries choose this, when they have so [many] better options in their countries.”

Martina Barta, who recently let fellow Eurovision 2017 act JOWST remix her entry, was effusive.

“Those were the most amazing three months of my life, a great life experience,” she says. “Thanks to Eurovision I have made new friends and I’m still in contact with some of the performers. It is important to find your inner composure before the performance and to avoid unnecessary stress beforehand. The people in front of you haven’t come to hurt you… They’re there to encourage you.”

Are you excited about the list of artists that the Czech Republic is currently exploring? Who do you think could deliver a performance worthy of the grand final? Let us know in the comments box below.

Read more Czech Republic Eurovision news

Photo: Andres Putting (EBU / Eurovision.tv)

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CzechEuroFan
CzechEuroFan
6 years ago

When I read the official announcement by Czech Television and other czech websites, I think there could be a National Final in the Czech Republic! Normally they reveal all the information about the selection but this year there will be more information soon.. And they named some singers who confirmed ”participation in selection”.. It would be great to see NF in Czech Television!

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago

Staging is just as important as the song. u are following the wrong contest baby

Women, football and rock'n'roll
Women, football and rock'n'roll
6 years ago
Reply to  ninasublatti

I agree with Charles. The song itself is way more important than the “extras” on stage. Let’s say the song is the main dish at the plate – the staging is just some spice.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

I know it’s off but I was wondering…who won OGAE 2nd chance?

TheStellarSeacow
TheStellarSeacow
6 years ago

If Czechia has a great song and good solid staging I can see them doing well. start with the song then focus on the staging. The staging is what I feel like they lack in the most.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

I really believed that Màrta Berta’s song had potential if the staging was more creative. The message of the song did not convey well due to hollow staging. If they couldn’t afford to have ppl on stage with her then why not use shadows instead? Anyways I’m glad they’re finally putting special focus on staging. I know Czechs are capable since Gabriella qualified last year.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

I am so happy Czech Republic is back since 2015!
There is talent there as there is talent in every other country. The point is to have a good combination of song, artist, staging, overall performance.

Valdez
Valdez
6 years ago

About San Marino…why withdraw? Find somebody rich who wants to be in esc…like Robbie Williams. I’m sure he would say yes. RW wanted to represent Russia after Julia disqualification, why not San Marino?
My guess is that SM tv is just amateur, they just know to ask money from Arisa and Tony Maiello.
Ask money from somebody who can and want.

Elmar
Elmar
6 years ago
Reply to  Valdez

It would be better if they just leave.. They don’t send anything good anyway.

Music Is the Key
Music Is the Key
6 years ago

“Special focus on stage performance”? Hardly a good sign is it, it’s a music contest. And most of all they need a good song.

Having said that, I think that some of the Czech entries have been good. Esp. 2007 and 2017. Even if “Mala dama” sadly did badly, Kabat is regarded as rock legends at their home market. Which shows how little results actually matters in the long run.

Let’s hope we will get a good song, typical for modern Czech pop / rock in 2018. Good luck!

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

I hope that by ‘special focus’ they won’t go overboard with the staging like some countries tend to do. Gabriella only needed backdrops and herself with a gentle breeze blowing over her hair & shoulders. That was enough to qualify.

Bart
Bart
6 years ago

“I believe that the Czech Republic has enough to offer and show,”… If that is true why are they looking for foreign composers and even performers?

Sara
Sara
6 years ago

I hope Slovakia will return at some point in the next few years. If they return during that time I think that they could start getting some good results.

Music Is the Key
Music Is the Key
6 years ago
Reply to  Sara

So do I. I think they had some nice entries – especially 1994 and 2012.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

They’re getting it wrong. Focus on the song first, then the performance.

Aria
Aria
6 years ago

Agree 100%

Music Is the Key
Music Is the Key
6 years ago

So true!

Matej
Matej
6 years ago

They will focuse on the song firts, ofc, don’t worry 😀 But they know they should made better staging in 2016 and 2017..

Xristos
Xristos
6 years ago

https://youtu.be/isAWwP3TbpA
Please check my video for top 100 songs of eurovision 2010-2017

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago

Stop sending boring ballads

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
6 years ago
Reply to  ninasublatti

I think the reason why Czech Republic keeps sending boring ballads is because they qualified with one in 2016, so they’re playing it safe and sending more boring ballads in the hopes that they’ll qualify again. It’s similar to how Montenegro sent Balkan ballads for two consecutive years because they qualified with one in 2014.

Alex
Alex
6 years ago
Reply to  Gorilla716

Actually, Martina said in an interview that she had the choice between a ballad or Sweden-produced pop song. She took the final decision to sing the ballad and ?T went with it.

Karen Trezayetia
Karen Trezayetia
6 years ago

I’m getting worried about Albania and San Marino!

Ronda
Ronda
6 years ago

I’m pretty sure Albania will be in. I’m mostly worried about Hungary, they usually confirm their participation too early. On the other hand San Marino will definitely withdraw and to be honest, I dont care. I never liked their entries, they need some break.

D
D
6 years ago
Reply to  Ronda

Hungary is nothing to be worried about. Albania is probably a little shakier but again, probably nothing. If anything, San Marino is the country everyone should be worried about withdrawing, but then again I don’t know anybody who’ll miss their songs too much.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Ronda

There’s no need to freak out about Hungary, they confirmed A Dal’s 2018 edition already.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago
Reply to  Ronda

One way or another, Albania and Hungary will participate in 2018 I believe. San Marino seems to withdraw.

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
6 years ago

San Marino will mostly likely withdraw but I’m pretty sure Albania will participate.

Gunther
Gunther
6 years ago

I don’t understand why some people are worried about San Marino. Aren’t you guys sick of their old-fashioned ridiculous entries? I personally do not care whether they participate or not..

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

San Marino is the only country that might withdraw this year, although I don’t think they will. Otherwise, they would have announced it already.
I had expectations about Slovakia, they’ve changed their big boss. But…maybe next year.

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
6 years ago

I’m pretty sure Czech Republic will send another female ballad to Eurovision next year because that was what helped them qualify in 2016 and they almost qualified with one in 2017.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

They deserve so much to do better. You can say whatever you want, but Czech Republic has sent decent entries since they’re back, focusing on quality rather than gimmicks.

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

agree I hate when quality song like Martina’s doesn’t qualify, but entries like Romania’s amd Croatia’s this year do…

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Focusing on boredom

Gabi Gusto
Gabi Gusto
6 years ago

Too bad Slovakia decided not to participate this year.

Aria
Aria
6 years ago
Reply to  Gabi Gusto

Why?? FIRE the idiot in Slovakia who makes the decision to not participate

Xristos
Xristos
6 years ago

https://youtu.be/nbFIEH06VS8
Please check my video for top 100 songs of eurovision 2010-2017

thespb01
thespb01
6 years ago

I’d be in support of that – I’d also like to see a country win that hasn’t won in ages (e.g. France).

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago
Reply to  thespb01

Me too!!

Hrvatska
Hrvatska
6 years ago

Please represent czech republic in lisbon a mokolas josef

FlorinRomania
FlorinRomania
6 years ago

I predict for Eurovision 2018 , the winner will be one of the countries who never won so far , like Czech Republic , Cyprus , Poland , Belarus , Bulgaria , Armenia , my country (Romania) , esc 2018 will be like this year with first win ever for Portugal 🙂 . It’s my opinion.

Karen Trezayetia
Karen Trezayetia
6 years ago
Reply to  FlorinRomania

Yes Bulgaria or Romania! #BUCHAREST2019 OR #SOFIA2019

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  FlorinRomania

Sis let’s hear the songs first, but realistically Australia has more chances to win than those countries you listed.

lucas
lucas
6 years ago

you forgot that portugal won in 2017 and the top 3 had their best ever results ! everything is possible my friend ! ^^