Eurovision and JESC news:

Daniel-Zizka.jpg
Image source: Hana Knizova
Daniel Zizka has released the music video of “CROSSROADS”, the song with which he will represent Czechia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.

Daniel Zizka has been selected by the Czech Broadcaster ČT from 260 submissions, with the entries being reviewed by a combination of experts and a public poll. He is 23 years old and has been described as one of the best new artists in the Czech music industry.
Kryštof Šámal, Head of Delegation for Czechia, commented on how Daniel made an impression during the first listening sessions:
“When Daniel came into the studio and sang his song straight through on the first try with absolute ease, the room fell completely silent. Not because he was loud, but because he was completely focused and confident. The performance was disarming – technically precise, yet full of emotion,” says “It was clear we were watching an artist who knows exactly who he wants to be.”
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Michal Utíkal, Head of Media and Creative Producer for Czechia, described the approach that that Czech delegation is taking to Eurovision this year:
“This year we decided to connect our media outputs with a unifying element. All components from photography and graphic identity to the music video and staging contain a leitmotif that symbolically underlines Daniel’s journey.”
“This year we decided to connect our media outputs with a unifying element.
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Daniel Zizka added:
“Eurovision is a huge platform and a big show. But what I mainly want to bring there is music and emotion. I don’t want to compete hidden behind flashiness and spectacle. I want to stand firmly behind who I am as an artist.”
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The song that Daniel Zizka will perform in Vienna has been written and composed by Viliam Béreš and by Daniel himself. He will perform in the first half of the second semi-final on May 14.
 
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Image source: İTV
The Azerbaijani broadcaster ITV has defended its Eurovision 2026 artist and song selection following criticism after its entry and artist were revealed.
Two days after “Just Go” was revealed as the Azerbaijani song for the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, performed by JIVA, ITV has taken to social media to defend its selection. In a statement on Instagram ITV said that it decided to release a statement to explain in more detail how the selection process worked.
In the statement, ITV explained that three acts made it through to the final shortlist, which included JIVA. That the final decision was made based on the results of a specially formed focus group and expert opinions. And that an important factor in determining their entry was that jury voting will be reintroduced in the semi-finals of Eurovision. As a result, strong live vocals and performance abilities were taken into account.
In addition, the statement addresses claims on social media that the song has been written using artificial intelligence. ITV states that:
These ideas do not reflect the truth. “Just Go” is an original musical work prepared on the basis of a professional creative approach, and behind it are many years of experience, preofessional knowledge and creative work.
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The broadcaster goes on to give its full support to JIVA as the Azerbaijani representative. She will perform in the first half of the second semi-final on May 14.
Source: Ictimai Eurovision
 
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Image Source: Ánne Kátjá Gaup, Dánil Røkke, Elle Norvang / Sámi beassášmárkanat
The twelve acts competing in Sámi Grand Prix 2026 have been revealed ahead of this year’s competition.
The acts and songs competing in Sámi Grand Prix 2026 have been released, with three weeks to go until the final live from Kautokeino. Isalill Kolpus and Ánte Siri have been announced as the hosts of the contest, which will take place on March 28. The winner will
The song contest finalists are:
  • Sofia Mienna & OK NIKO – “Gos don leat?”
  • Han Helge & Han Håkon – “Ingen andre”
  • Caroline J Kuhmunen – “Dorvobáiki”
  • Alo Joks – “Mun lean”
  • Kalle Urheim – “Duottara bárnne / Tundra’s Son”
  • ELLINOR – “Du Dušši”
The joik contest finalists are:
  • Sárá Nilut – “Ayla Gáren Audhild”
  • Ánte Niillas Bongo – “Nášša álddut”
  • Lars-Ánte Kuhmunen – “Nils Issát”
  • Per Bueng – “Liv Slotte”
  • Biret Risten Sara og Rávná Anti Guttorm – “Heajat”
  • Iŋgor Nila – “Mari-Ann

The 2026 contest will mark the fifth edition of the competition which will be aired by NRK of Norway, and will once again be broadcast by SVT of Sweden and Yle of Finland.

What is Sámi Grand Prix?​

Sámi Grand Prix has been held annually since 1990 as part of the Sámi Easter Festival in Kautokeino in Norway.
The region of Sápmi covers northern Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia, and has a population of between 80-100,000 Sámi. To date the most successful nation in the contest is Norway.
Source: NRK
 
Bzikebi has released “On Replay”, the Georgian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna.

Bzikebi has released the official music video for “On Replay”. The song was written by Giga Kukhianidze, who has written multiple Georgian Junior Eurovision entries, including Georgia’s last two winning entries; “Mzeo” and “To My Mom”.

Bzikebi consists of Giorgi Shiolashvili, Mariam Tatulashvili and Mariam Kikuashvili. In 2008, they won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest with “Bzz”, the first song in the contest’s history to be performed in an imaginary language and the first of four victories for Georgia in the contest. After the contest, they released the album “Zabuzei”.

Bzikebi returned to Junior Eurovision in 2022, where they took part in an interval act celebrating 20 years of the contest. They also performed as an interval act at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Tbilisi, where they performed the original song “We Don’t Sleep”.

Bzikebi will perform in the first half of the first semi-final on May 12.
 
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