Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023

{{main|Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Prior to the 2023 contest, Czechia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest ten times since its first entry in {{ESCYr|2007}}.{{cite web|title=Czech Republic Country Profile|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-country/country?country=46|access-date=16 January 2023|publisher=EBU|archive-date=7 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907234243/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-country/country?country=46|url-status=live}} The nation competed in the contest on three consecutive occasions between 2007 and 2009 without qualifying to the final. After Gipsy.cz performing the song "{{lang|rom|Aven Romale|i=no}}" placed 18th (last) in their semi-final in {{esccnty|Czech Republic|y=2009|t=2009}}, failing to score any points, the Czech broadcaster withdrew from the contest between 2010 and 2014, citing low viewing figures and poor results as reasons for their absence.{{cite web|last=Jiandani|first=Sanjay|date=30 September 2013|title=Eurovision 2014: Czech Republic will not participate in Copenhagen|url=http://esctoday.com/68661/eurovision-2014-czech-republic-will-participate-copenhagen/|access-date=19 November 2014|website=esctoday.com|publisher=ESCToday|archive-date=23 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923181845/http://esctoday.com/68661/eurovision-2014-czech-republic-will-participate-copenhagen|url-status=live}} Since returning to the contest in {{esccnty|Czech Republic|y=2015|t=2015}} and qualifying to the final for the first time in {{esccnty|Czech Republic|y=2016|t=2016}}, Czechia has featured in four finals. In {{esccnty|Czech Republic|y=2022|t=2022}}, the country qualified for the final with the song "Lights Off" performed by We Are Domi, placing 22nd with 38 points.{{Cite web|title=Eurovision Song Contest 2022 Grand Final|url=https://eurovision.tv/event/turin-2022/grand-final|access-date=16 January 2023|website=Eurovision.tv|publisher=EBU|language=en-gb|archive-date=14 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614015201/https://eurovision.tv/event/turin-2022/grand-final|url-status=live}}

The Czech national broadcaster, Česká televize (ČT) broadcasts the event within Czechia and organizes the selection process for the nation's entry. The broadcaster has used both national finals and internal selections to select the Czech Eurovision entries in the past. ČT confirmed their intention to participate at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in October 2022.{{cite web|last=Jiandani|first=Sanjay|date=20 October 2022|title=Czech Republic: CT confirms participation at Eurovision 2023|url=https://esctoday.com/187637/czech-republic-ct-confirms-participation-at-eurovision-2023/|access-date=16 January 2023|website=esctoday.com|publisher=ESCToday|archive-date=22 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022143453/https://esctoday.com/187637/czech-republic-ct-confirms-participation-at-eurovision-2023/|url-status=live}} The broadcaster later confirmed that the Czech entry for the 2023 contest would be selected through a national final that would be broadcast live.{{cite web |last=Adams |first=William Lee |date=2 November 2022 |title=Czech Republic: Three acts will make the ESCZ 2023 final |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2022/11/02/czech-republic-three-acts-will-make-the-escz-2023-final/273734/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116083634/https://wiwibloggs.com/2022/11/02/czech-republic-three-acts-will-make-the-escz-2023-final/273734/ |archive-date=16 January 2023 |access-date=16 January 2023 |website=wiwibloggs.com |publisher=Wiwibloggs |language=en-gb}} This marked the first time in 15 years that ČT organised a live show in order to determine their participant.{{cite web |date=16 January 2023 |title=Czech Republic: ESCZ 2023 lineup revealed |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/czech-republic-escz-2023-lineup-revealed |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116071747/https://eurovision.tv/story/czech-republic-escz-2023-lineup-revealed |archive-date=16 January 2023 |access-date=16 January 2023 |website=eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU |language=en-gb}}

ESCZ 2023 was the national final organised by ČT in order to select the Czech entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Five entries participated in the competition which took place between 30 January 2023 and 6 February 2023, with the winner being selected entirely via a public vote and announced on 7 February 2023.{{Cite web |title=Irglová, Vesna, Rodan, Maella a Pam Rabbit. Diváci opět rozhodnou o zástupci Česka na Eurovizi |url=https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/kultura/3558070-irglova-vesna-rodan-maella-a-pam-rabbit-divaci-opet-rozhodnou-o-zastupci-ceska-na |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116112919/https://ct24.ceskatelevize.cz/kultura/3558070-irglova-vesna-rodan-maella-a-pam-rabbit-divaci-opet-rozhodnou-o-zastupci-ceska-na |archive-date=16 January 2023 |access-date=2023-01-16 |website=ČT24 |publisher=Czech Television |language=cs}}

Artists and composers were able to submit their proposals to the broadcaster between 2 November 2022 and 8 December 2022. Artists were required to have Czech citizenship and for groups of a maximum of six members, at least one of the lead vocalists were required to have Czech citizenship. Songwriters of any nationality were able to submit songs. The broadcaster received over 170 submissions at the closing of the deadline, most of them which were written by Czech songwriters.{{cite web |last=Jiandani |first=Sanjay |date=4 January 2023 |title=Czech Republic: 'ESCZ 2023' live national final set for 30 January |url=https://esctoday.com/188866/czech-republic-escz-2023-live-national-final-set-for-30-january/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116083619/https://esctoday.com/188866/czech-republic-escz-2023-live-national-final-set-for-30-january/ |archive-date=16 January 2023 |access-date=16 January 2023 |website=esctoday.com |publisher=ESCToday}} ČT selected five entries for the national final from the submissions received, which were announced on 16 January 2023.

The five competing entries were performed live during a special programme which took place on 30 January 2023 at the {{Ill|Kavčí Hory television centre|cs|Televizní středisko Kavčí hory}} in Prague, hosted by {{ill|Adam Mišík|cs}} and broadcast online via ČT's streaming platform iVysílání as well as the official Eurovision Song Contest's YouTube channel.{{cite web |date=27 January 2023 |title=Czech Republic: What to expect at the 'ESCZ 2023' final |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/czech-republic-what-expect-escz-2023-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127175152/https://eurovision.tv/story/czech-republic-what-expect-escz-2023-final |archive-date=27 January 2023 |website=eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU |language=en}} The winner was determined by the combination of votes from an international public vote (70%) and a Czech public vote (30%), and both international and Czech users were able to vote via the official Eurovision Song Contest application until 6 February 2023. The winner, "My Sister's Crown" performed by Vesna, was announced during a press conference that took place on 7 February 2023 at the Meeting Hub Opero in Prague.{{Cite web |last=Farren |first=Neil |date=7 February 2023 |title=Czech Republic: Vesna to Eurovision 2023 |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/02/07/%F0%9F%87%A8%F0%9F%87%BF-czech-republic-vesna-to-eurovision-2023/ |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=Eurovoix}}{{Cite web |date=2023-02-07 |title=Czech Republic: Vesna to Eurovision 2023 with "My Sister's Crown" |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/czech-republic-vesna-to-eurovision-2023-with-my-sisters-crown |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207182224/https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/czech-republic-vesna-to-eurovision-2023-with-my-sisters-crown |archive-date=7 February 2023 |access-date=2023-02-07 |website=Eurovisionworld |language=en-gb}}

Vesna made several appearances across Europe to specifically promote "My Sister's Crown" as the Czech Eurovision entry. On 1 April, Vesna performed during the Polish Eurovision Party, which was held at the Praga Centrum in Warsaw, Poland and hosted by Poli Genova and Konrad Zemlik.{{Cite web |title=POLISH EUROVISION PARTY - Praga Centrum, Warszawa - Bilety online |url=https://www.biletomat.pl/bilety/polish-eurovision-party-warszawa-12586/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Biletomat.pl |language=pl}}{{Cite web |last=Vautrey |first=Jonathan |date=2023-04-02 |title=Polish Eurovision Party 2023: Who gave the best live performance? |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2023/04/02/polish-eurovision-party-2023-who-gave-the-best-live-performance/276737/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=wiwibloggs |language=en-US}} Between 2 and 4 April, the band took part in promotional activities in Tel Aviv, Israel and performed during the Israel Calling event held at Hangar 11 of the Tel Aviv Port.{{Cite web |last=Hong |first=Zhi |date=2023-04-01 |title=Eurovision 2023: 'Israel Calling 2023' Tel Aviv Pre-party preview |url=https://www.aussievision.net/post/eurovision-2023-israel-calling-2023-tel-aviv-pre-party-preview |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=aussievision |language=en}} On 8 April, the band performed during the PrePartyES event, which was held at the Sala La Riviera venue in Madrid, Spain and hosted by Victor Escudero, SuRie and Ruslana.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-09 |title=PrePartyES 2023 in Madrid: Watch the performances |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/prepartyes-2023-in-madrid-watch-the-performances |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Eurovisionworld |language=en-gb}} On 15 April, Vesna performed during the Eurovision in Concert event which was held at the AFAS Live venue in Amsterdam, Netherlands and hosted by Cornald Maas and Hila Noorzai.{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=2023-04-14 |title=Tonight: 🇳🇱 Eurovision in Concert 2023 |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/04/15/eurovision-in-concert-2023/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} On 16 April, the band performed the London Eurovision Party, which was held at the Here at Outernet venue in London, United Kingdom and hosted by Nicki French and Paddy O'Connell.{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=2023-04-15 |title=Tonight: 🇬🇧 London Eurovision Party 2023 |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/04/16/london-eurovision-party-2023/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}}

File:Loučeň zámek 5.jpg were of the locations of Joker Out's postcard.|A video postcard introduced Vesna's performance in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. The postcard was filmed at the Yew Maze of the Loučeň Castle in March 2023 in collaboration with the host broadcaster BBC. The Peace Maze in Castlewellan and the Green Maze in Zhytomyr also featured in the Czech postcard.]]

According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the reigning champion nation (Ukraine) and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 31 January 2023, an allocation draw was held, which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, and determined which half of the show they would perform in. Czechia has been placed into the first semi-final, to be held on 9 May 2023, and has been scheduled to perform in the second half of the show.{{Cite web|last=Groot|first=Evert|url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2023-allocation-draw-results|title=Eurovision 2023: Allocation Draw results|date=2023-01-31|access-date=2022-01-31|publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)|archive-date=3 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203005317/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2023-allocation-draw-results|url-status=live}}

Once all the competing songs for the 2023 contest had been released, the running order for the semi-finals was decided by the shows' producers rather than through another draw, so that similar songs were not placed next to each other. Czechia was set to perform in position 13, following the entry from {{esccnty|Azerbaijan|y=2023}} and before the entry from the {{esccnty|Netherlands|y=2023}}.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-22 |title=Eurovision Song Contest 2023 Semi-Final running orders revealed! |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2023-semi-final-running-orders-revealed |access-date=2023-03-22 |website=Eurovision.tv |publisher=EBU |language=en-gb}}

All shows were broadcast in Czechia on ČT2 and featured commentary by Jan Maxián.{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=29 April 2023 |title=Czechia: ČT2 Remains the Home of Eurovision For 2023 |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/04/29/czechia-ct2-eurovision-2023/ |access-date=29 April 2023 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} The Czech spokesperson, who announced the top 12-point score awarded by the Czech jury during the final, was Radka Rosická.

File:Eurovision 2023 - Jury Semi-final 1 - Czechia - Vesna (05).jpg

Vesna took part in technical rehearsals on 1 and 3 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 8 and 9 May. This included the jury show on 8 May where the professional back-up juries of each country watched and voted in a result used if any issues with public televoting occurred.{{Cite web |last=Lahav |first=Doron |date=2023-04-28 |title=Eurovision 2023: The Rehearsal Schedule |url=https://escbeat.com/2023/04/28/eurovision-2023-the-rehearsal-schedule/#:~:text=Sunday%2C%20the%2030th%20of%20April%202023%20First%20rehearsals,First%20rehearsals%20Batch%203%20%28remaining%20semi-final%202%20artists%29 |access-date=2023-05-01 |website=Esc Beat |language=en-GB}}

The Czech performance featured the members of Vesna appearing on stage in long braided hair and wearing matching pale pink jumpsuits with a grey tassle. The stage colours transitioned between pale pink, white and black and the LED screens displayed the lyrics of the song, clips of the band members and hands reaching and banging. During the second chorus, the band members marched in a line to the satellite stage before forming a circle for the bridge with a light swirling around them.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-08 |title=LIVE: Eurovision 2023: Semi-Final One first dress rehearsal |url=https://escxtra.com/2023/05/08/live-eurovision-2023-semi-final-one-first-dress-rehearsal/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=ESCXTRA.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=2023-05-01 |title=🇨🇿 Czechia: All The Details About Vesna's First Rehearsal |url=https://eurovoix.com/2023/05/01/czechia-vesna-first-rehearsal/ |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Eurovoix |language=en-GB}} The art director for the performance was Matyáš Vorda and the stage director was Vítek Bělohradský.{{Cite web |title=Eurovision 2023 Czechia: Vesna - "My Sister's Crown" |url=https://eurovisionworld.com/eurovision/2023/czechia |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=Eurovisionworld |language=en-gb}}

At the end of the show, Czechia was announced as having finished in the top 10 and subsequently qualifying for the grand final.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-09 |title=Eurovision 2023: The First Semi-Final Qualifiers |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2023-first-semi-final-qualifiers |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=eurovision.tv |language=en}} It was later revealed that the Czechia placed fourth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 110 points.{{Cite web |title=First Semi-Final of Liverpool 2023 - Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/liverpool-2023/first-semi-final |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=eurovision.tv}}

Shortly after the first semi-final, a winners' press conference was held for the ten qualifying countries. As part of this press conference, the qualifying artists took part in a draw to determine which half of the grand final they would subsequently participate in. This draw was done in the order the countries appeared in the semi-final running order. Czechia was drawn to compete in the second half.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-10 |title=First Semi-Final: Qualifiers' press conference |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/first-semi-final-qualifiers-press-conference |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=eurovision.tv |language=en}} Following this draw, the shows' producers decided upon the running order of the final, as they had done for the semi-finals. Czechia was subsequently placed to perform in position 14, before the entry from Finland and before the entry from Australia.{{Cite web |date=2023-05-12 |title=Eurovision 2023: The Grand Final running order |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2023-grand-final-running-order |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=eurovision.tv |language=en}}

Vesna once again took part in dress rehearsals on 12 and 13 May before the final, including the jury final where the professional juries cast their final votes before the live show. The band performed a repeat of their semi-final performance during the final on 14 May. Czechia placed tenth in the final, scoring 129 points: 35 points from the televoting and 94 points from the juries.

{{see also|Voting at the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Voting during the three shows involved each country awarding sets of points from 1-8, 10 and 12: one from their professional jury and the other from televoting in the final vote, while the semi-final vote was based entirely on the vote of the public.{{cite web |title=Voting–Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/voting |access-date=14 May 2023 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}} Each nation's jury consisted of five music industry professionals who are citizens of the country they represent. This jury judged each entry based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act. In addition, each member of a national jury may only take part in the panel once every three years, and no jury was permitted to discuss of their vote with other members or be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently. The individual rankings of each jury member in an anonymised form as well as the nation's televoting results were released shortly after the grand final.{{Cite web |title=Grand Final of Liverpool 2023 - Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/liverpool-2023/grand-final |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=eurovision.tv}}

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Czechia and awarded by Czechia in the first semi-final and grand final of the contest, and the breakdown of the jury voting and televoting conducted during the two shows:

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The following members comprised the Czech jury:{{Cite web |title=Grand Final of Liverpool 2023 - Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/liverpool-2023/grand-final/jury |access-date=2023-05-17 |website=eurovision.tv}}

• Lukáš Chromek
• Miloš Dvořáček
• Ana Maria de Almeida
• Elizabeth Kopecká
• Kateřina Králová

{{reflist}}

{{Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2023}}

2023

Category:Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023

Eurovision