After two failed tries, in 2005 and 2006, due to financial restrictions, the Czech Republic will take part at the Eurovision Song Contest 2007, to be hosted in Helsinki. The national representative will be selected from ten competitors in a national final, according to Radim Smetana, Head of Music and Dance at Česká Televize.

If we take a look at a map of Europe showing the nations that have ever taken part in Eurovision Song Contest, we find an "island" in the center of the continent. We are talking about the Czech Republic, that has never participated at the contest. The national broadcaster, Česká Televize, had the intention of taking part in the Contest in 2005 and 2006, but CT had to give up, because of financial problems.

Next year, 2007, the Eurovision family will be pleased to receive another country into its ranks. The confirmation came from Radim Smetana, Head of Music and Dance at Česká Televize. Smetana announced that the national final will take place during a prime time slot on a Saturday evening at the beginning of March 2007. Ten competitors will fight it out to represent the central European republic in Finland.

Recent debutantes
The Czech Republic will be joining recent Eurovision Song Contest debutantes Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Bulgaria and Moldova amongst others, in what could be the biggest song contest yet. Some time ago there were hints that the Caucasian republic Georgia could be amongst the line-up in Helsinki, andthe possiblereturn of Austria could also be on the cards. The participation of the new independent nations Montenegro and Serbia is also possible.