This week has been Eurovision Week at the English College! We are delighted that two of the five finalists in the race to represent the Czech Republic in Eurovision 2023 are alumnae of the ECP. Students and teachers alike were thrilled to welcome them both back into school to sing for us.
Patricie Fuxová
Patricie Fuxová graduated in 2010 and went on to study music at the Berklee College of Music. It was as a music student that she formed her band, Vesna, with whom she is competing for the honour of representing her country at Eurovision 2023.
Patricie said, “I think the reason the English College has produced so many Eurovision contenders is because students are encouraged to be creative and to follow their passion. Academic studies are very important, but it is also important for students to pursue their passion and to be given every opportunity to shine. I have seen in the music industry something else ECP students learn – that there is nothing wrong with making mistakes. It’s what helps us to learn and to develop as individuals and performers.”
Vesna’s song for Eurovision 2023 is called My Sister’s Crown. It was inspired by wanting to encourage women to have the confidence to shine. The band sings in Czech, English and Ukrainian and their rapper is Bulgarian. Many will find the Ukrainian lyrics of the chorus particularly powerful. The official video of My Sister’s Crown also features 2005 graduate Lilia Khousnoutdinova.
Michaela Charvátová
Michaela Charvátová is another ECP graduate performing in this year’s Eurovision 2023 as Maella. She graduated from ECP in 2015. Michaela studied songwriting at the BIMM Institute in London.
Her song, Flood, was written very quickly, she told students. She had been going through a rough time and felt sad at having to lean so much on her partner. But she said that the official video has a Latin beat to dance the sadness away. And to highlight the importance of the friends she made at the English College, the video was produced by 2014 graduate, Ruy Okamura. Ruy is in demand as a music video producer. He also produced Eurovision 2022 finalists DOMI’s official video Lights Off for another 2014 graduate, Dominika Hašková.
Cast Your Vote for Eurovision 2023!
After the live final at the beginning of the week, voting began to decide who would represent the Czech Republic at Eurovision 2023 in May. The polls close at one minute to midnight on Monday 6 February, with the result announced the next day.
So until then, ECP is supporting both of our talented graduates. We are keeping our fingers crossed and thumbs held that we can make it two in a row at the Eurovision finals. And when you’ve made your mind up who it should be, you can VOTE HERE