Pop the champagne, blow the sparklers, sound the alarm — Czech Republic has confirmed its participation for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017!
Czech Television announced the news on Wednesday, revealing that it will once again choose its participant internally.
Anyone interested — and that includes foreign songwriters and lyricists — can submit songs to the broadcaster between now and November 30.
Jan Potmesil, the creative producer in charge of CT’s Eurovision project, seemed to pre-empt potential criticism about welcoming foreign authors by explaining that it’s very difficult to “find a song that matches current world trends and qualities” and that can “stand the intense competition at the ESC.”
“Even with Czech artists, it is absolutely normal that they cooperate with foreign authors and producers. I am convinced that the widest open song selection is the way to higher quality.”
A special committee made up of musical experts and officials from CT will sift through the songs and the artists in closed-door proceedings, hopefully landing them in the grand final for a second year running.
Last year Gabriela Guncikova made history when she became the very first Czech act to reach the final with her power ballad “I Stand”.
Gabriela also became the first Czech artist to perform at our very own Wiwi Jam, held inside the Hard Rock Cafe in Stockholm.
She killed her performance of “Highway to Hell” and looked absolutely fabulous in the process.
Prior to last year, the country had finished last in its semi-final on two of its four attempts and it had earned a total of 43 points in the semis.
Miss Guncikova finished ninth in her semi-final and earned 161 points — four times as many as all other Czech acts put together!
The grand final didn’t go quite as smoothly, and she received a total of zero televotes, which we still consider one of the biggest crimes of Eurovision 2016.
In any case, are you stoked that Prague has RSVP’d for the contest? Did you ever doubt this would happen? And who do YOU want to see CT field in Ukraine? Let us know in the comments box below.
Read more Czech music news
@ninasublatti
It was very good and catchy but 2016 remains the best for me.
Czech Republic, or Czechia is the most underrated country. It is not possible to qualify only once, while other countries qualify all the time.
I hope they bring back Gabriela with a Cerny Andel-like song. #prague2018
I’m so happy right now! 😀
Let’s hope Slovakia returns! 🙂
Good job! Czechia is still standing.
It’s great news that Czech Republic is staying on for another, although I would have been surprised if they did quit after getting their best ever result. Best of luck to CZ next year, hopefully they send something even better and improve on their result. Btw, Prague would be an amazing host city.
Yes barbora polakova! Love her funny song nafrnena
Yes!!! I’m so happy… I feel that the results in 2017 will be good… Hopefully:)
republic tcheque was great in 2016 and for me in france was in the best of winners
I know what you feel, kris. Horehronie was magical.
I meant 2010 n 2011….:p
I actually loved Slovakia 2009 and 2010…..IMHO they deserved to be in top 15 both years but dint qualify being closer to last in their semi than to qualifying…….but maybe after their neighbours success they can be inspired to return n show the world they are still alive (:p… .sorry for the PJ)
Barbora Poláková needs to represent them
@avstriya
I’m 100% sure they’ll be there after the good results. They’ve probably still thinking of which format to use for song selection in 2017.
I’m really glad that the Czechs are going to be returning! I’m hoping that G was able to invigorate the music scene into participating more. Would be nice to see them hit the Grad final on a regular basis now!
Please Gabriela again <3 I want Prague to host <3
Funny how Austria has neither confirmed nor called for songs so far.
Usually they are really quick to confirm.
How wonderful!