Κosovo: RTK present at the EBU’s General Assembly!

Kosovo continues to take steps toward a future Eurovision representation. RTK, Kosovo’s national broadcaster, has been lobbying for years to become a full EBU member, allowing the country to participate in EBU events under its own name.

Furthermore, it appears that the EBU is now more open to the idea, as RTK was able to attend the EBU’s General Assembly in Geneva last week. The aforementioned invitation shows that the EBU does not have a negative attitude toward Kosovo, despite the latter’s lack of full membership.

The challenges that Kosovo is facing

The presence of RTK at the EBU’s General Assembly does not necessarily imply that Kosovo is on its way to becoming an EBU member, as there are several obstacles to overcome. Initially, Kosovo is not a member of the International Television Union or the United Nations. The latter is thought to be the most difficult obstacle, as a possible Kosovar participation would spark massive controversy among the other participants and could result in mass withdrawals. As a result, the EBU should consider all the relevant factors before approving Kosovo.

Festivali i Këngës në RTK

Regardless its inability to participate at the Eurovision Song Contest, Kosovo has just held its first “national selection”, Festivali i Këngës në RTK. The festival is similar to the Albanian version of Festivali i Këngës, and would give the right to its winner to represent the country at the contest just as if it was allowed to participate. FiK në RTK can be considered as a source of leverage for its participation in Eurovision. La Fazani’s song “Oj Kosova” was the first to win the festival in Pristina.

Kosovo has also participated in the Eurovision Young Dancers at 2011 and has also been represented at time by its artists on behalf of other countries. For example, the Albanian representatives at Eurovision 2023, namely Albina and Familja Kelmendi were of Kosovar origin.

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The song that would represent Kosovo if it participated in Eurovision 2024!

A few hours ago, the final of the first Festivali i Këngës në RTK was held in Pristina. The winner of the music festival, which is similar to the Albanian Festivali i Këngës, would have the opportunity to represent Kosovo in the Eurovision Song Contest, if the country was allowed to participate.

Since Kosovo’s public broadcaster, RTK, is not an EBU member, participation in the competition is not possible at the moment. But as evidenced by its choice to host the festival, RTK is seeking to participate in the competition.

The first FiKRTK was won by La Fazani, whose song “Oj Kosova” speaks about the performer’s love for his country.

Following his victory, La Fazani said:

I know I can’t go to Eurovision, but I love you Kosovo.


Would you like to see Kosovo participate in Eurovision? Stay tuned on EurovisionFun to stay up to date on all the latest news about the world’s largest music competition!


Source: Wiwibloggs

Kosovo: EBU is positive on RTK’s Festivali i Këngës!

The Director of the first Festivali i Këngës in Kosovo, has stated that they have received a positive response from the EBU, regarding their music festival. Read more

Kosovo: RTK pushing for full EBU membership!

The Chairman of RTK confirmed that the national broadcaster of Kosovo continues pushing for full membership in the European Broadcasting Union.

Speaking to the Board of RTK regarding the first month of 2023, Besnik Boletini, the Chairman of the national broadcaster confirmed that organisation continues lobbying for full EBU membership, through attending EBU events and hoping for full membership and invitation for participation the Eurovision Song Contest.

In order to be eligible to participate in the Song Contest, Kosovo must become member of the International Television Union and of course a member of the United Nations. Earlier this year the broadcaster launched Festivalit të Këngës which would be used as the nation’s Eurovision selection should it be able to compete.

In the past Kosovo has been allowed to participate in other Eurovision related events. In 2011 it took part in the Eurovision Young Dancers represented by Tringa Hsya. In this year’s Eurovision Song Contest the partially recognised nation of the Balkans is somehow present as the Albanian representatives hail from Kosovo.

Source: Eurovoix

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Kosovo: RTK will be broadcasting Eurovision 2023!

RTK, the national broadcaster of Kosovo will broadcast live the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 which will take place in Liverpool, UK next week.

Kosovo’s national broadcaster will broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest to viewers across the country once again. RTK has been broadcasting the Eurovision Song Contest live for over a decade.

So far, the non-participating in Eurovision 2023 countries that have confirmed the broadcast of this year’s contest are the following:

  • Chile – Canal 13
  • Kosovo – RTK
  • North Macedonia – MRT
  • Slovakia – Radio_FM
  • United States – Peacock

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!


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Source: Eurovoix

Kosovo: RTK is starting their selection process for Eurovision with “Festivalit të Këngës”!

The management of the Kosovar Public Broadcaster RTK, signed today to the creation of a new project called “Festivalit të Këngës”. This project is intended to be used in the future as the country’s selection method for the Eurovision Song Contest.

The Festivalit të Këngës will be held in Kosovo and the purpose of the broadcaster is to offer to the TV audience a cultural and artistic event. The previous years, the citizens of Kosovo could watch in TV the Albanian selection for Eurovision Song Contest, Festivali i Këngës. Therefore, the tender process of the selection was widely known. 

RTK specifically stated in the press confrence that they aim for Festivalit të Këngës to be used as the selection method for Kosovo’s participaion in Eurovision, whenever the country makes its debut.

In 2022, RTK’s Director-General Ahmet Xhekaj stated that he aimed to apply for an EBU membership by the end of the year. However, this has not happened so far. Mr. Xhekaj believes that Kosovo may now have a greater chance of joining in EBU following the removal and suspension of Russia and Belarus by the organization.

Do you think that Kosovo will be able to make their debut in the Song Contest in the near future? Let us know in the comments down bellow!

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun for all the news regarding Kosovo’s participation in Eurovision!

Source: RTK

Kosovo: RTK aiming to apply for EBU membership by the end of the year!

The General Manager of RTK announced that the Kosovan broadcaster intends to apply for membership in the EBU at the end of this year.

Kosovo is seeking to become a full member of the European Broadcasting Union by the end of this year to be able to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. Mr. Ahmetxhekaj confirmed that in case RTK becomes a member, Kosovo will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. He told Nacionale that:

It is a joint plan of the current management of RTK that in the coming period, maybe at the end of this year or next year, to officially apply for membership in the EBU.

Mr Ahmetxhekaj believes Kosovo may now have a better chance of joining EBU following the removal and suspension of Russia and Belarus. He explained that:

Now the chances may be greater due to the movements of the latter in terms of the exclusion of Russia and Belarus.

However, the General Manager of RTK acknowledges that there are significant obstacles to membership, as he is not a member of the International Telecommunication Union, which is a prerequisite for joining the EBU. In 2019, a vote was taken to remove ITU membership as a criterion for joining the EBU, but it was not approved.

In the past, Kosovo has participated in other Eurovision events. For example, in 2011, RTK selected Tringa Hsya to participate in that year’s Eurovision Young Dancers competition.

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Source: eurovoix

Kosovo: RTK will broadcast Eurovision 2022!

Kosovo’s national broadcaster will once again broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest to viewers across the country. RTK has been broadcasting Eurovision live for over a decade. Other non-competing countries confirmed to broadcast the competition include the  United States – Peacock and  Slovakia – Radio_FM.

In the past, Kosovo has participated in other Eurovision events. For example, in 2011, RTK selected Tringa Hsya to participate in that year’s Eurovision Young Dancers.

To be able to participate in a future edition of the Song Contest, Kosovo must become a member of the International Television Union, as well as a member of the United Nations.


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Source: eurovoix

Jon Ola Sand: “We don’t need to broaden our scope of participating countries in the Eurovision Song Contest.”

On the last episode of Euro Trip, Jon Ola Sand, the ex-Executive Supervisor of Eurovision, talked about the possibility to see a debut of Kossovo or Kazakhstan but also for a returning country to come back any time soon.

At first, in his interview with the host of the show, he mentioned Kazakhstan and if the have chances to debut in Eurovision:

“There is a really keen interest from the broadcaster in Kazakhstan to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. There has never been any serious discussion to bring them in.They are not a member of the EBU, and we really don’t need to broaden our scope of participating countries in the Eurovision Song Contest.”

After that he talked about Kossovo and their chances of a debut, when he mentioned:

“There has been no attempt from the EBU to bring Kosovo into the Eurovision Song Contest. There have been discussions as a broadcaster, but they  lack the status to allow them to compete.

Australia have been an exception because the country’s public broadcaster SBS has competed in every edition of the competition since owing to its associate EBU membership.

Last but not least, he talked about the possibility to see Luxembourg, Andorra, Slovakia, Monaco or Turkey returning in Eurovision Song Contest:

“We had talks with all the broadcasters you mentioned . It hasn’t been a priority for us to bring them in. There isn’t a need to grow the number of participants. But Turkey would have a higher priority than say, Monaco for instance”

Jon Ola Sand served as Executive Supervisor between 2011 and 2020. Prior to this role he was Executive Producer for Eurovision when the contest was held in Oslo, Norway in 2010.

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EBU: “There are no plans to invite Kazakstan and Kosovo to Eurovision 2021”!

A comment from the EBU on the ESCXtra website clarifies the picture of the possible participation of Kazakhstan and Kosovo in Eurovision 2021. The EBU leaves no room open, saying that there are no plans to invite the public televisions of Kazakhstan and Kosovo to Eurovision 2021. Read more