Jacques Houdek, the Croatian representative at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, together with the country’s national broadcaster HRT has confirmed the song entry for the upcoming Kyiv-hosted competition.

Earlier this morning, it was confirmed by the Croatian national broadcaster HRT that more information regarding Jacques Houdek’s entry for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest would be revealed.

Speaking of today’s announcement, Houdek expressed his delight towards the recent revelations:

I am very excited and happy and cannot wait to announce both the title of the song that will represent my country at the Eurovision Song Contest and the start of a campaign that is motivated by its name and message.

The campaign is positive and sympathetic, and I’ll be most happy if you could post photos on social media under the hashtag that will include the name of the song which will motivate people in the spreading, creation and renewal of friendship.

My Friend to go to Kyiv!

Confirmed today via HRT, Houdek is all set and ready to perform his entry My friend this coming May in Kyiv. Speaking of his entry for the competition, Houdek revealed:

Like each of the songs so far as well as Eurovision itself, I want the people to extend a sense of community, friendship and respect for diversity.

Think of your friends, make them happy with a photograph that will be devoted to them, show them how much they mean to you and make new friendships. Let this song and the campaign #beMyFriend celebrate friendship, the joy of life and the priceless treasure that is based on love, trust and reciprocal appreciation of the message.

Although the song title has been announced today, the entry has yet to be released with more details regarding the 2017 Croatian entry are expected in the coming weeks.

Speaking of Croatia’s 2017 entry following last week’s announcement, the country’s Head of Delegation Željko Mesar revealed:

For now, the song will remain a surprise. At this point, let’s just say it will be very interesting, Eurovision-y, and its structure and complexity is extremely thought-provoking. We are confident it will arouse interest.

Croatia in Eurovision 2017

Last week, it was confirmed by the Croatian national broadcaster that Houdek has been internally selected to represent the nation at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest.

Houdek is no new name to the Eurovision scene, having previously tried to represent Croatia on a number of occasions including in 2002, 2004, 2006 and most recently in 2011.

Houdek competing in Dora 2011 with the song Lahor, later performed by Daria Kinzer at Eurovision 2011 under the name Celebrate.

Houdek’s connection with last year’s Croatian representative also runs deep; having coached Nina Kraljić in the first season of The Voice of Croatia in 2015, Kraljić went on to win the competition before going on to represent her country at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, bringing Croatia their first qualification since 2009.

Croatia will perform in the second half of the second semi-final on the 11 May, with Houdek hoping to continue Croatia’s recent success and bring the nation to the final of the competition for a second-time-running on the 13 May.