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.
#Kosovo public broadcaster RTK 🇽🇰 was part of the General Assembly of #EBU last week in Geneva. Good News are coming… 😍🥳 #EBUsaYesToKosovo #eurovision #esc2024 #kosova pic.twitter.com/uZkEsCDiOS
— Eurovision Kosovo (@ESCKOSOVO) December 7, 2023
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.
Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all news!
