Slavic feminist band Vesna will represent Czechia in Eurovision

The all-woman group Vesna will represent Czechia in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Liverpool on May 9–13. They beat out four other contestants in an international vote.

Vesna qualified by winning both the national vote, which counted for 30 percent, and the international vote, which counted for 70 percent. Czech Television announced the winners via live stream on YouTube video last night.

This new voting system replaced a previous one that used a combination of a jury and a national public vote. The songs were presented in a show live-streamed over the internet on Jan. 30.

Czech singer with Armenian roots Pam Rabbit came in second, followed by singer Rodan, Oscar-winner Markéta Irglová, and singer Michaela Charvátová performing under the stage name Maella.

Vesna’s multi-language song “My Sister's Crown” has feminist themes and reacts to current events in society. It reflects on the lack of freedom and calls for mutual understanding and empathy. Musically, it is fast-paced and danceable but with a noticeable folklore and Balkan influence.

The international group has Czech Patricie Fuxová on lead vocals, plus members from Slovakia, Russia, and Bulgaria.

The music and lyrics are a joint work of Vesna frontwoman Fuxová and Production Lovers with contributions from Yankova and Ukrainian artist Kateryna Vatchenko.

Fuxová said the band was surprised and overwhelmed by the nomination and very grateful. She also said the band was ready. “We’ve been doing music since our childhoods. … This is the time we are most ready. We will do it,” she said.

The group formed in 2016 to celebrate feminism and Slavism. In November 2018, they released their debut album “Pátá bohyně,” which was nominated for the Anděl Award for Discovery of the Year.

The winner of last year's Eurovision Song Contest was the Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra with the song “Stefania.” The Czech group We are Domi finished in 22nd place with the song “Lights Off.”