Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, we had the opportunity to speak to Daniel Žižka from Czechia.
We spoke to Daniel Žižka at Eurovision in Concert this weekend in Amsterdam. We discussed his time in Japan while finishing the entry “Crossroads”, the music video and the importance of visual component on the Eurovision stage.
Due to the unfortunate technical issues that occured during the interview, we decided to share the transcibed version of the interview.
Interview with Daniel Žižka
Interviewer: “You’ve said that Crossroads took around 18 months to complete and that it finally came together during your time in Japan. What was it about that environment, or that moment in your life, that allowed Crossroads to be completed?“
“I would say that I am usually a very technical writer and take my time to write a song. I wrote the main structure of the song in about 6 months and then I went to Japan for solo travel and it was so amazing. I didn’t have all the lyrics at that point, I liked the song but I still felt like it wasn’t fully there. I think the change of environment was beautfiul, the experience gave me the validation to finish the lyrics and create this song.”
Interviewer: “So was the process in Japan very fast, was it just a burst of creativity that came out of you, or was it also a long time there as well?”
I would say that musically, the song already had the shape when I came back. So, when I came back I knew that I am gonna have to start … And then this happened (indicating at the Eurovision), so it’s been insane.
Interviewer: “I watched your music video, it’s very artistic and very, very powerful, especially the last 30 seconds are intense. Vocally, but also with the visual, where you go frame after frame after frame through reflection. What is the meaning of that part of the song? How are you bringing that alive in Vienna on stage?“
“So I will have to be very non-chalant about the final staging, but for the music video props to our artistic director, he did an amazing job the intensity and really finding out how we reflect the song and this final zoom of intensity. Maybe it’s frustration, sometimes you don’t know which way you want to go and sometimes it feels like…sometimes we let go of all the thinking and it becomes a brilliant example, a chance for us to just move forwards.”
Interviewer: “Czech artists often bring a very strong visual and artistic identity to Eurovision, especially with their music videos. How important is it for you to express your artistry visually, not just musically on the Eurovision stage?“
“The visual is really, really important. We want to create something that wont overshadow the song but give a moment for the song to come to life for the audience.”
We thank Daniel for his time and wish him the best of luck in Vienna this May.
Daniel Žižka will perform in slot 5 in the second semi-final on May 14.
Czechia first competed in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007. They achieved their best result at the contest with Mikolas Josef coming 6th in Lisbon 2018 with the song “Lie to Me”. Gabriela Gunčíková took Czechia to their first final in 2016. This came after a three year run of non-qualifications between 2007 and 2009, and missing out on a place in the final on their return in 2015. Until 2023, the nation took part under the name Czech Republic.
