🇨🇿 Aiko to represent Czechia at Eurovision 2024

The final of ESCZ 2024 has concluded and Aiko will represent Czechia at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö with the song “Pedestal”.

“Pedestal” is now the second song in the running to succeed Loreen’s ‘Tattoo’, and Aiko is now the sixth confirmed artist.

Just after the live show was broadcast last week, our editor Rory had a chance to speak to Tomas Robin, Tom Sean, MYDY, Gianna Lei, and the winner Aiko.

What is ESCZ 2024?

The 2024 edition marks the 6th time that Czechia has used the ESCZ format to select its entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest; and for the second time that the show has been broadcast live. Like last year, the show was broadcast prior to the voting period. Those wishing to vote had a week to do so, and could regardless of whether they lived in Czechia or not. Adam Mišík reprised his role as host along with 2018 Austrian entrant Cesár Sampson. Former Czech participants Lake Malawi, and We Are Domi provided guest appearances as interval acts.

The artists who competed at ESCZ 2024 can be found below.

The detailed results of the voting are as follows:

What is ESCZ?

Czechia has hit its stride at Eurovision over the past few years, and has responded by organizing a national final. ESCZ is a small contest, held in a small venue with fewer than 10 artists competing each year. Following live performances, voting is held online through official Eurovision channels, and the results are released the next week. The winner is determined by 70% international vote and 30% Czech vote.

Czechia’s Eurovision Journey

Czechia made their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007, with Kabát’s “Malá dama”. However, their debut entry finished last in a 28-song semi-final, scoring only 1 point. Afterwards, this kicked off three consecutive non-qualifications, with their best result coming in 2008, finishing in second-last place. Having withdrawn in 2009 due to poor results, Czechia returned to the Contest in 2015. In 2016, Czechia qualified for the first time with Gabriela Gunciková’s “I Stand”.

In 2023, Vesna represented Czechia with their song “My Sister’s Crown”. Performing in the first semi-final in Liverpool, the band qualified for the final – and finished in 10th place in a field of 26 with 129 points. Of these, 94 points came from the juries and 35 points came from the televote.

Are you excited to see AIKO compete next year? Who did you want to win ESCZ? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok as we look ahead to Eurovision 2024!

News Source: Česká Televize

Photo Credit: AIKO