Kosovo: RTK officially asks EBU for an invitation to Eurovision 2025!

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Kosovo’s intention to be a part of the Eurovision family is no secret. RTK has tried for years to secure the nation’s spots to EBU’s shows, since the nation’s independence declaration.

Moreover and as we have previously informed you, RTK has announced that they will make an official application in order to participate in the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025, which will be held in Switzerland.

The application has now been sent on behalf of RTK. Via a formal letter, RTK asks Kosovo to be invited to participate in Eurovision 2025, in a similar way Australia also participates. Specifically, the letter sent to the EBU mentions that:

Dear Mr. Osterdahl,

As Director General of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) I am writing to you on behalf of RTK to ask for an invitation to participate in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Participation in this high-level cultural event in Europe is our strong ambition and of great importance for our European Union integration.

RTK has been actively fostering musical talent and promoting cultural exchange within Kosovo. We have successfully organized our own national song contest, which has garnered significant popularity among Kosovans. This year, we will proudly host the second edition of our contest, with the hope that the winning song will represent Kosovo in the next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Although Kosovo currently has a special Agreement and a status with the EBU, we are inspired by the example of countries like Australia, which have been invited to participate in Eurovision. We firmly believe that the Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event that celebrates music, diversity, and unity, values that resonate deeply with our nation.

We respectfully requést your consideration in extending an invitation to RTK to participate in the next Eurovision Song Contest. Our participation would not only showcase the vibrant talent of Kosovo but also reinforce the spirit of inclusion and cultural exchange that Eurovision embodies.

Last but not least, the EBU has played a crucial role in establishing RTK back in 1999, thus we hope that you will look into helping us to achieve this goal, enshrined in our mission as public broadcaster.

Thank you for considering our request. We look forward to the possibility of contributing to and enriching this prestigious event.

Warm regards,

Shkumbin Ahmetxhekaj

Director General of Radio Television of Kosova

What has been holding RTK from its Eurovision participation?

In order for Kosovo to become a member of the EBU, and thus be able to participate in Eurovision, it must first join the International Telecommunication Union  (ITU) or the Council of Europe. Kosovo has yet to achieve any of these, due to its partial recognition.

Considering the political implications that occurred during Eurovision 2024, the inclusion of a country that is not recognized by all the participating states will be a harder decision than it may seem.

Festivali i Këngës në RTK the selection process!

Kosovo’s ambition to participate in Eurovision is that high that they have already prepared a festival via which a potential future Eurovision entry will be selected. Festivali i Këngës në RTK, which was first organized in 2023, will probably serve as the nation’s selection format in case their permitted a Eurovision participation.

In fact, La Fazani with his song “Oj Kosova” was the first winner of FiK në RTK and would represent Kosovo in Malmö in case he was allowed to.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: RTK

Kosovo will apply to compete in Eurovision 2025!

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A few days ago, RTK, the public broadcaster of Kosovo, announced that it plans to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, taking place in Switzerland. Read more

Kosovo planning to apply for Eurovision 2025

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Kosovo cannot participate in the Eurovision Song Contest as it is not a member of the United Nations and even some Eurovision participant countries still do not recognize Kosovo’s independence including Spain and Serbia.

However, public broadcaster RTK is planning a path to participate in Eurovision as early as 2025.  Kosovo has reiterated its wish to participate next year in Switzerland.

Firstly, RTK needs to become an EBU member to get the right to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest.  If Kosovo were to pass this first obstacle, Festivali i Këngës në RTK would most likely be the national selection for Kosovo.  The music festival will celebrate their second edition under the direction of Adrian Krasta.

According to RTK’s most recent statement

The board of directors and management of RTK have continuously worked on this issue, and it has been possible to secure support from many countries.

Nevertheless, they recognize that some countries still do not recognize Kosovo which would be unwilling to let the country participate.

Kosovo will need to become a member of the European Broadcaster Union.  To get admitted, it must join the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) or the Council of Europe.  Kosovo has not yet met these requirements because of its partial international recognition.

La Fazani won the first edition of Festivali i Këngës në RTK with his song “Oj Kosovë”.  In his song, he references the Eurovision Song Contest in one line in which he mentions that because of the current situation he could not represent his country at the European festival.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOgcsrU2KE8&ab_channel=RTK

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Kosovo: RTK will appy for Eurovision participation soon!

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The national broadcaster of Kosovo, RTK, will apply for bringing the country for the first time on the. stage of the Eurovision Song Contest!

This Balkan country, who gained their indepedence in 2008 and has yet to be recognized by all the countries of the world community, has never taken part in the Eurovision Song Contest. All the same, the broadcaster is eager to take part, even organizing the RTK Song Festival this year, in order to promote the Kosovar music industry. This show has the features of a national final.

In a press release, RTK confirmed that the RTK Song Festival will return for a second edition in 2025. In addition, the broadcaster plans to “submit soon its application to the EBU” to compete in Eurovision 2025.

RTK also says it is optimistic that the winner of the next RTK Song Festival will be Kosovo’s first representative in the Eurovision Song Contest.

“As in the first edition, the Board will be a strong supporter and will play a proactive role in the entire work process. RTK will soon submit its application to the EBU for the winning song to represent Kosovo at Eurovision. We are optimistic that the winning song of the second festival in a row will represent Kosovo in this international competition.”

Source RTK

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Kosovo: RTK is going to broadcast Eurovision 2024!

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Kosovo’s national broadcaster RTK is going to broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 live from Malmö, Sweden.

The two semi-final nights as well as the grand final are going to be broadcast specifically by RTK1 on TV and by Radio Kosovo 2 on the radio, with commentators Agron Krasniqi and Egzona Rafuna.

The non-participating countries that will broadcast the contest are:

  • North Macedonia – MRT
  • Unted States of America – Peacock
  • Kosovo – RTK
  • Montenegro – RTCG
  • Slovakia – Radio_FM

Source: Eurovision Kosovo

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

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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

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Source: Eurovoix