Kosovo: RTK Poised to Apply for Eurovision 2025 After Securing Broad International Support
Kosovo, though still ineligible for Eurovision, has set its sights on joining the contest in 2025. This year’s Eurovision lacked the vibrant Kosovar beats that fans have long anticipated. While Kosovo hasn’t officially competed, the region boasts numerous stars with Kosovar roots, including Rona Nishliu (Albania 2012), Lindita Halimi (Albania 2017), and Gjon’s Tears (Switzerland 2020 and 2021).
RTK, Kosovo’s national broadcaster, is preparing to submit its application for Eurovision 2025. Following a decade-low participation of just 37 countries in Eurovision 2024, RTK is hopeful for Kosovo’s debut in the near future.
RTK to Submit Eurovision Application
RTK has publicly declared its intent to join Eurovision in 2025, coinciding with the re-election of Adrian Krasta as the director for the second edition of Festivali i Këngës në RTK. This festival could potentially serve as Kosovo’s national selection process for Eurovision.
RTK’s dedication to Festivali i Këngës në RTK underscores their Eurovision aspirations. They are optimistic that the winning song from the upcoming festival will represent Kosovo on the international stage. In a statement, RTK highlighted: “The board of directors and management of RTK have continuously worked on this issue, and it has been possible to secure support from many countries. There are also constant obstacles due to political reasons from some countries that do not recognize Kosovo.”
Challenges Ahead
For Kosovo to participate in Eurovision, it must first become a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). This requires membership in either the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) or the Council of Europe. Due to its partial international recognition, Kosovo has yet to meet these criteria. While many countries recognize Kosovo’s independence, several EBU member states, including Spain and Serbia, do not recognize it as an independent country, complicating the process.
Despite these challenges, RTK remains determined. The broadcaster has been working diligently to overcome the political obstacles that have hindered Kosovo’s Eurovision ambitions.
EBU’s Stance on Kosovo
As of now, the EBU has not announced any plans to invite Kosovo to the Eurovision Song Contest or to grant them a special invitation. This mirrors the situation in 2020, where no invitation was extended to Kosovo despite growing support.
Kosovo’s journey to Eurovision is emblematic of broader geopolitical issues, yet the persistence of RTK and the support from various countries indicate a growing desire for inclusion. Whether Kosovo will finally grace the Eurovision stage in 2025 remains to be seen, but the momentum is certainly building.
