Kosovo’s national broadcaster, RTK, hopes that producing the Festivali i Këngës në RTK will bring the country closer to participating in the Eurovision Song Contest.
“Festivali i Këngës në RTK” is the festival that, one day, is expected to become Kosovo’s national selection for Eurovision. Although Kosovo has yet to join the Eurovision Song Contest, the festival is now in its third year—and the hope for a historic debut at Eurovision remains strong. In Kosovo, there is a determined effort to hold the festival annually, aiming to build a solid foundation for future Eurovision participation, in the belief that Kosovo will soon join the competition.
Festivali i Këngës në RTK: Kosovo’s Pathway to Eurovision
Festivali i Këngës në RTK was established in 2023 with a single clear goal: to select Kosovo’s representative for Eurovision. The problem? Kosovo cannot compete at Eurovision because its national broadcaster, RTK, is not a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Since its inception, the festival has become a source of excitement for local artists, songwriters, and fans, all hoping to see Kosovo’s flag on Europe’s grand stage. Now entering its third year, preparations are underway for the competition set to take place in October. Excitement is running high—even though the road to Eurovision is far from certain.
The hard work of the national broadcaster, RTK, has not gone unnoticed by the country’s cultural community. Florent Boshnjaku, the festival’s artistic director, explained this week that the primary obstacle is political: “Participation depends on Kosovo’s political status. Much more lobbying is needed from all institutions, not just the national broadcaster, for this to happen. We hope it will happen soon.”
The festival has become a tradition, and the entire team is preparing for the moment when the big opportunity arrives: “The beauty is that the festival already exists and a tradition is being built. The whole team is ready—technically, organizationally, and professionally—for the day we can finally step onto the Eurovision stage.”
Why Is Kosovo Still Waiting?
Despite significant investment, Kosovo has yet to receive the green light to participate in Eurovision. RTK’s most recent application to join the 2025 contest was rejected, with the EBU clarifying that the national broadcaster must become a full member of the organization before it can send an official representative. To become a full EBU member, Kosovo’s national broadcaster must first join the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) or the Council of Europe. As of now, Kosovo does not meet these requirements.
Kosovo’s international status, after declaring independence from Serbia in 2008, remains contentious. Many countries around the world do not recognize Kosovo as an independent state, and Russia has vetoed its entry into the United Nations. Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovo’s independence, as does Spain. Nevertheless, 104 countries have recognized Kosovo’s independence.
Will Kosovo Break Through to Eurovision 2026?
Kosovo is not alone—many countries have fought for a place in the Eurovision Song Contest over the years, with politics often standing between them and their dream. Australia’s invitation to participate, despite not being in Europe, shows that anything is possible—with enough determination, lobbying, and international support. Kosovo has already demonstrated its ability to stage a high-quality festival, with professional production and talented artists. The big question is whether political forces will finally allow it to break through and join the list of participating countries at Eurovision 2026.
