Prague is calling! Česká Televize have today announced the 2024 edition of the Czech national selection ESCZ will take place on Monday December 4th. Notably, for the first time ever, the show will have a live audience!
This year, the show will take place in the Roxy Club in the country’s capital. For the first time in ESCZ history, there will be a live audience made up of fans and press, who will watch the competitors fight for their chance to represent Czechia at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö.
Prior to this year, the selection was online with fans and professionals voting on music videos and online pre-recorded performances. The exception to this was for the 2023 edition where a show containing live performances was introduced. The winner was then announced in a later show on the ESCZ YouTube channel. This year sees the return of Adam Misik as host.
Czechia aims high with ESCZ 2024
There is no doubt the Czech delegation will be looking to build on a wildly successful 2023 contest. The band Vesna and their powerful song “My Sister’s Crown” brought a moving message about feminism and women coming together to be strong. The group achieved a Top 10 result in Liverpool — made even more impressive by the fact they performed immediately after televote winner Käärijä from Finland.
We spoke with Ahmad Halloun — International Press and Media Manager for Czechia at Eurovision — and he made it clear how much he’s looking forward to the next Eurovision cycle.
“After the great result of Vesna last year we are super excited to jump into this adventure once again with the full support of the Czech music scene. We are doing baby steps, from music videos, to live on tapes, to live final and now with an audience in what we believe is a great place for us to continue growing. Having an audience is something that will help us engage with the public and grow in the right direction. Everyone in Roxy and at home will Have so much fun!”
The progress Ahmad mentions is clear in the quality Czechia sends year-on-year. We have been able to rely on Czechia for quality thorughout the national final. Could we see fan-favourites return, such as Pam Rabbit, Guidi or Eliz Mraz? Pam and Eliz in particular have entered more than once, with Pam coming 2nd in 2023’s final. Elis even did this twice, in both 2020 and 2022.
You can apply to be an audience member by emailing [email protected] with your desire to attend. The ticket to the show is free, so what are you waiting for?
Will you be heading to Prague to watch ESCZ 2024? Who would you lie to see return? Which fresh faces to the show are you hoping to perform? Let us know what you think in the comments, and stick around for when more details are released from the Czech team!
