Martijn

🇸🇮 Road to Malmö: Slovenia

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Slovenia. Raiven Sara Briški Cirman, famously known as Raiven, is a distinguished Slovenian mezzo-soprano, pop artist, and harpist. Born on April 26, 1996, in Brežice, Slovenia, Raiven has excelled in intertwining the realms of classical and pop music. Her musical journey saw a significant leap when she nearly clinched the ticket to represent Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016 with “Črno bel,” securing second place at the national final Evrovizijska Melodija (EMA). Her continued efforts at EMA, including a third-place finish in 2017 with “Zažarim” and a second-place in 2019 with “Kaos,” culminated in her being selected to represent Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with “Veronika.” Raiven’s debut album, “Magenta,” released in 2017, won record of the year from Zlata piščal, highlighting her innovative musical approach. Her collaboration with London’s Metropolis Studios for the EP “REM” further showcased her versatility and garnered widespread acclaim. Raiven has also performed at significant events and with prestigious orchestras, demonstrating her dynamic stage presence and performance skills. In 2021, her song “Vokovi” won the Grand Audience Award at Popevka 21, reinforcing her stature in the music industry. Educated in classical music from a young age, Raiven has amassed several awards in music competitions and holds a master’s degree in opera solo singing. She has explored various roles in opera and theater, showcasing her broad talent spectrum. In 2023, Raiven was announced as Slovenia’s Eurovision representative with “Veronika,” a testament to her enduring appeal and artistic evolution. Veronika Veronika of Desenice, whose tragic tale intertwines with the history of the Counts of Celje, remains a poignant figure in Slovenian cultural memory. Originating from the village of Desinić, her marriage to Frederick II, Count of Celje, sparked controversy due to her lesser social standing, leading to vehement opposition from Frederick’s father, Hermann II. This union set the stage for a harrowing narrative of love, persecution, and eventual murder. Despite being acquitted of witchcraft charges by the court, Veronika’s fate was sealed; she was imprisoned and drowned on the orders of Hermann II in 1425. Her story did not end with her death; Frederick later moved her remains to the Carthusian monastery at Jurklošter, making an endowment in her memory. Veronika, Wikimedia Commons Veronika’s life and untimely demise have inspired numerous literary and artistic works, reflecting on themes of innocence, power, and the enduring nature of love amidst adversity. Her legacy continues to influence Slovenian literature, theater, and music, serving as a muse for creations spanning from the 19th to the 20th century. Additionally, her name graces the Veronika Poetry Award and the Veronika Festival, ensuring her memory lives on in Slovenian culture and beyond. Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest On 6 occasions, RTV Ljubljana submitted the Yugoslav entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. In 1962, Lola Novaković even reached a 4th place with “Ne pali svetlo u sumrak”. As an independent country, Slovenia started to participate in 1993. Best scoring songs were “Prisluhni mi” by Darja Švajger in 1995 and “Engergy” by Nuša Derenda in 2001. The last few years, high scores were not meant for Slovenia. However, Joker Out, who reached the final last year, managed to do some very succesful tours throughout Europe. The Bookmakers Slovenia currently has a 21st place at the bookmakers, which makes Raiven a serious contender to reach the final. And as everything changes as soon as the final is there, a good score might be very well possible for the country. The song And this is “Veronika”.

🇩🇪 Road to Malmö: Germany

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Germany. Isaak Isaak Guderian, a gifted German singer and musical actor born in 1996 in Minden and raised in Costedt, has etched a remarkable path in the music industry, stemming from a musical household that laid the foundation for his early interest in guitar and piano. Embarking on his musical journey with street performances at just twelve, Guderian’s talent became evident when his rendition of Oasis’s “Wonderwall” on the X Factor TV show won the hearts of many at fifteen. Transitioning to a solo career by eighteen, he navigated through performances at various events until the pandemic shifted his course temporarily towards reliance on unemployment benefits. Another moment in 2021 saw Guderian clinching victory in the Show your Talent online contest, catapulting him into streaming success and garnering accolades from international stars like Pink. With hits like “Water to the Seed” and “Impact” amassing over a million streams each, and the chart-topping collaboration “Baby Steps” with DJ David Puentez, his career reached new heights. Guderian’s triumph in the German Eurovision selection for 2024 with “Always On The Run” further solidified his status as a notable talent. Residing in Valdorf with his wife Loreen and their two sons, Isaak Guderian continues to captivate and inspire with his musical prowess. Eurovision Song Contest – Das Deutsche Finale Prior to the German final Eurovision Song Contest – Das Deutsche Finale a talent show was held: Ich Will Zum ESC! Coached by Conchita Wurst and Rea Garvey, 15 talents competed for a ticket to the final. The show was won by Floryan. He was one of the 9 competitors in the final. Another contestant was returning artist Max Mutzke, who previously represented Germany in the 2004 Eurovision final. Marie Reim, the daughter of famous schlager singer Matthias Reim, was also part of the competition. But in the end, it was Isaak who won. Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest The only country participating in ALL the Eurovision Song Contests is Germany. Only in 1996, Leon did not reach the final with his “Planet of Blue”, as the song did not survive an audio final. A lot of times, Germany was close to winning. Only two times it really happened: in 1982 with Nicole‘s “Ein bißchen Frieden” and in 2010 with Lena‘s “Sattelite”. The last couple of years, Germany seems to have lost it, with very low scores. The Bookmakers Currently, the bookmakers predict a 29th place in the odds. Germany is automatically placed in the final, but the score is not too promising. However, we don’t know as staging and performance can also lift a song. Let’s wait and see. The song And this is the song:

🇮🇸 Road to Malmö: Iceland

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Iceland. Hera Björk Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir, an Icelandic powerhouse vocalist born on March 29, 1972. With a career kickstarting in childhood, Hera was already a familiar face in commercials and had recorded songs before turning twelve. Her musical journey gained momentum when she clinched a victory in a singing competition at sixteen. Hera’s debut in 1999 showcased her versatile talent, which spans across various albums that include traditional Icelandic tunes and international hits. Noteworthy albums from her early years include “Litla Hryllingsbúðin,” “Ilmur af Jólum / The Scent of Christmas,” and “Disneylögin.” Hera’s knack for collaboration and her solo ventures underscored her growing artistic maturity, evident in her prolific period from 2003 to 2009 with albums like “Í faðmi þínum” and “Við gefum von.” Her 2010 Eurovision entry, “Je ne sais quoi,” catapulted her to European fame, while her victory at the 2013 Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile with “Because You Can” solidified her international acclaim. Hera continued to engage her fans with releases such as “Ilmur af jólum 2” and made a notable return to Söngvakeppnin in 2019, securing fourth place with “Moving on.” Beyond her international exploits, Hera Björk remains a stalwart in Iceland’s music scene, admired for her dynamic range and ability to traverse genres effortlessly. In 2024, Hera Björk was chosen to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest for a second time with the song “Scared of Heights”. Söngvakeppnin Söngvakeppnin is the Icelandic national final ever since Iceland first took part in the Eurovision Song Contest, back in 1986. The past few years, it contains two semifinals with 5 songs each. Two songs from each semifinal, ánd a wildcard, go through to the final. The favourite to win the contest this year was Palestinian Bashar Murad, who lives in East Jerusalem. Murad and Björk were the two contestants reaching the superfinal. Hera Björk won. However, there was some controversy as the voting app RÚV Stjörnur experienced a glitch during the superfinal. Icelandic broadcaster RÚV recognized this but stated that Björk’s victory was beyond doubt. Bashar Murad Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest In 1986, Iceland debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest, reaching the 16th place with Icy and their “Gledibankinn”. “Scared of Heights” will be the 36th Icelandic entry. Iceland never won the contest yet. However, there was a 2nd place for the island twice: in 1999 with Selma and het “All out of luck”, ten years later with Yohanna’s “Is it true?”. The Bookmakers Currently, the bookmakers give a 20th place for Hera Björk. That means, she would reach the final just like she did when she first participated in 2010. The Song This is the song:

🇭🇷 Road to Malmö: Croatia

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Croatia. Baby Lasagna Born in 1995, Marko Purišić, better known by his stage name Baby Lasagna, has carved a unique niche in the Croatian music scene as a vocalist, lyricist, and record producer. His musical journey includes a significant stint as a guitarist for the Croatian rock group Manntra between 2011-2016 and then from 2018-2022. During his time with Manntra, they achieved notable success, especially with their fourth-place finish at Dora 2019 with the song “In the Shadows”. After parting ways with Manntra in 2022, Purišić embarked on a solo career, showcasing his diverse talents. He played a pivotal role in co-writing tracks for “Ravenblack,” the twelfth studio album by the German rock band Mono Inc., which soared to the top of the German album sales chart. His contributions included hits like “Princess of the Night” and “Heartbeat of the Dead”. Transitioning to a solo artist, Purišić released singles under the moniker Baby Lasagna, with his breakthrough solo track “IG Boi” debuting in October 2023. His subsequent single, “Don’t Hate Yourself, But Don’t Love Yourself Too Much”, further cemented his place in the music industry. In a landmark achievement, Baby Lasagna won the national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, Dora, with “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” on February 25, 2024, setting the stage for him to represent Croatia at Eurovision 2024 with this self-penned song, showcasing his evolution from a band member to a solo phenomenon. Yugoslavia in the Eurovision Song Contest Yugoslavia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest from 1961 until 1992. Several Croatian entries have taken part, some very succesful. The first time RTV Zagreb won the national selection in Yugoslavia was in 1963 with Vice Vukov‘s “Brodovi”. The Trubadurs of Dubrovnik won the contest with “Jedan dan” in 1968, an international hit song. A total of nine times, RTV Zagreb provided the entry, most succesful when Rajko Dujmić and Stevo Cvikić where responsible for the entries. In 1989, Riva won the contest with “Rock me baby”. Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest As an independent country, Croatia first took part in the contest in 1993. With “Don’t ever cry”, the group Put were the first entrants for Croatia. The national selection in most occasions is called DORA, also this year. Most succesful so far were Maja Blagdan in 1996 with “Sveta ljubav” and Doris Dragović in 1999 with “Marija Magdalena”. The Bookmakers Currently, the betting odds predict Croatia as the winner of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. If that happens, it would be the first victory ever for the country. However, the top position for Croatia is not with a landslide, Italy is coming closer and closer. It’s gonna be exciting…. The song And this is the song:

🇵🇱 Road to Malmö: Poland

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Poland. Luna Luna, the stage persona of Aleksandra Katarzyna Wielgomas, born August 28, 1999, in Warsaw, is a distinguished Polish singer, songwriter, and composer. Beginning her musical journey with violin lessons, she later attended a high school focused on law and political sciences before pursuing artes liberales at the University of Warsaw. Luna’s early career was marked by her participation in the Artos children’s choir and performances at the Grand Theatre, laying the foundation for her artistic path. Her collaboration with the Kayax record label in 2018 through the “My Name is New” project led to her debut single “Na wzgórzach niepokoju,” propelling her into the spotlight at significant events like the Night of Museums and Pol’n’Rock Festival. 2020 saw Luna adopting her stage name and venturing into a new musical direction with Michał “Fox” Król, exploring cosmic sounds in her work, as highlighted in singles like “Serca przemokną” and “Mniej,” incorporating space sounds from NASA. Luna’s “Zgaś” further established her presence in the Polish music scene, embodying her “cosmic pop” style influenced by the cosmos, nature, and poetry, drawing inspiration from icons like Nick Cave and Björk. In 2024, Luna was chosen to represent Poland at the Eurovision Song Contest with “The Tower,” bringing her unique sound to an international audience. Beyond her music, Luna engages in theatre and promotes music equality, notably as an ambassador for the Equal Spotify campaign, becoming the first Polish woman to be featured on Times Square for this initiative. Her career reflects a blend of cosmic fascination, poetic expression, and advocacy for equality in the music industry. Polish language It is already 5 years ago that a song, partially in Polish, participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. The Polish language, a Slavic tongue, serves as Poland’s linguistic core. It intertwines with the nation’s rich history and culture. Known for its complex sounds and unique diacritical marks like ł (łaciaty), ś (śliski), and ń (koń), it challenges non-native speakers. Its pronunciation and consonant clusters are notably difficult. Its vocabulary is a tapestry of Slavic roots with layers of Latin, German, and English influences. It reflects centuries of cultural interactions. Beyond Poland’s borders, vibrant Polish-speaking communities flourish worldwide, preserving and enriching this beautiful language. Polish not only connects millions to their heritage but also to a deeply storied past and a dynamic present. Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest Poland debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. With a second place for Edyta Górniak’s “To nie ja”, they secured a record. The song is still the best scoring song ever for Poland. Only two times after that, the Polish entry reached the top-10. In 2003 with Ich Troje’s “Keine Grenzen – Żadnych granic” (7th) and in 2016 with Michał Szpak’s “Color of my life” (8th). Last year, Blanka reached the final easily, but in the final itself reached a 19th place. Luna hopes to be the 4th artist reaching the top-10. The Bookmakers Poland is currently no. 32 in the betting odds. That means it’s gonna be a tough job for Luna to reach the final. However, things such as staging and live performance can change everything and make Poland one of the more succesful contenders. The song This is the song:

🇺🇦 Road to Malmö: Ukraine

photo: UA:PBC We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Ukraine. Alyona Alyona Aliona Olehivna Savranenko, known professionally as Alyona Alyona, is a groundbreaking Ukrainian rapper and songwriter, born on June 14, 1991, in Kapitanivka, Novomyrhorod Raion, Kirovohrad Oblast. With a background in education, holding two bachelor’s degrees and experience as a kindergarten teacher, she transitioned from teaching to pursue music full-time. Gaining attention with her debut video for “Rybky” in October 2018, Alyona Alyona’s career quickly ascended. Her first album, “Pushka,” released in April 2019, showcased her storytelling prowess and unique approach to rap, earning her acclaim as “Ukraine’s most unlikely rap star” by Vogue. Alyona Alyona’s impact extended internationally with her signing to Def Jam Polska in 2020 and winning the Public Choice Award at the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards in 2021. Jerry Heil Yana Oleksandrivna Shemayeva, known as Jerry Heil, is a versatile Ukrainian singer, songwriter, and YouTuber, born on October 21, 1995, in Vasylkiv, near Kyiv. Her musical journey was shaped by her studies at the R. Glier Kyiv Institute of Music and the Kyiv Conservatory. Adopting the stage name Jerry Heil at 15, she launched a YouTube channel in 2012, covering songs and sharing vlogs, which caught the attention of notable musicians, including Sviatoslav Vakarchuk from Okean Elzy. Signing with Vidlik Records in 2017, Heil’s debut EP, “De miy dim,” marked her professional entry into music. Her career further blossomed with hits like “Okhrana, otmyena,” leading to her debut album “Ya, Yana.” Heil’s distinctiveness continued with her engagement in Vidbir, notably winning Vidbir 2024 alongside Alyona Alyona with “Teresa & Maria” for Eurovision 2024. Fluent in multiple languages and a committed vegan, Heil’s personal and artistic choices are closely intertwined, reflecting her unique identity and values in the music industry. Vidbir Vidbir is the name of the Ukrainian national selection. The contest this year contained 11 entries. One of them was added in a late stadium as a wildcard, as a winner of an online election. One former Eurovision participant was among the contestants: Mélovin. The singer presented the song “Dreamer” and was the runner up of the contest. Following the completion of the performances, the Diia app (an app especially for the Ukrainian diaspora) experienced a malfunction, which caused the voting period to be prolonged and resulted in the postponement of the results announcement to February 4. Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest In 2003, Ukraine debuted in the contest. Already one year later, the country had its first victory: Ruslana won the contest with “Wild dances”. Ukraine won again in 2016 with Jamala‘s “1944” and in 2022 with Kalush Orchestra and “Stefania”. Ukraine never failed to reach the Grand Final, reaching the top-3 on no less than 6 occasions. photo: EBU The Bookmakers It looks like Ukraine is gonna be succesful: in the betting odds Ukraine is currently the 3rd country in chances to win the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. The song This is the song:

🇬🇧 Road to Malmö: United Kingdom

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: the United Kingdom. Olly Alexander Olly Alexander, born on July 15, 1990, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, has emerged as a leading voice in contemporary pop culture, celebrated for his musical talent, acting skills, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. As the charismatic frontman of Years & Years, Olly has guided the band to international success with hits that blend infectious melodies with deeply personal and socially conscious lyrics. His commitment to exploring and expressing queer themes through music has earned him a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Apart from music, Olly has made significant strides in acting. His compelling portrayal of a young man navigating the AIDS crisis in the 1980s in the critically acclaimed series “It’s a Sin” has been lauded for its emotional depth and authenticity. This role underscored his versatility as an artist and an advocate, using his platform to highlight important issues. In a career-defining move, Olly Alexander will represent the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song “Dizzy.” It’s a Sin “It’s a Sin” is a powerful British television drama series that premiered in 2021, created by Russell T Davies. Set during the 1980s and early 1990s in London, the series explores the lives of a group of gay men and their friends as they navigate the joy, freedom, and heartbreak of their youth amidst the emerging AIDS crisis. Through a compelling narrative and rich character development, “It’s a Sin” captures the ignorance, stigma, and fear surrounding AIDS at the time, while also celebrating love, friendship, and the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. The series has been critically acclaimed for its emotional depth, historical accuracy, and the performances of its cast, including a standout role by Olly Alexander. It’s a poignant reminder of a tragic period in history, offering both a tribute to those lost and a message of hope and solidarity. United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest It was in 1957 when the United Kingdom debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest. The song “All” by Patricia Bredin was, with 1:52, one of the shortest Eurovision songs ever. The United Kingdom won no less than 5 times: in 1967, Sandie Shaw brought the UK their first victory. Only two years later, it was Lulu who won. In 1976, “Save your kisses for me” by the Brotherhood of Man reached a first place, while Bucks Fizz did the job in 1981 with “Making Your Mind Up”. The last victory so far was for Katrina & The Waves back in 1997 with “Love Shine A Light”. The United Kingdom reached no less than 16 second places, the last time in 2022 with Sam Ryder‘s “Spaceman”. The Bookmakers The United Kingdom is one of the six countries, placed directly in the final. Currently, they predict a 10th place for the UK, which would be one of the better scores in the last few years. This is the song:

🇮🇪 Road to Malmö: Ireland

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Ireland. Bambie Thug Bambie Ray Robinson, known artistically as Bambie Thug, is an innovative Irish singer born in 1994. Breaking into the music scene, Robinson released their debut EP, “Cathexis,” on 12 October 2023, prefaced by singles “Careless” and “Last Summer (I Know What You Did).” Their music, deeply inspired by musical theatre, serves as a protective yet expressive medium, especially through tough mental health phases. Robinson’s unique sound, described as “ouija-pop” or “hyperpunk avant electro-pop,” reflects their critique of drug addiction’s glamorization in the industry and their ambition to model positive behavior. On 11 January 2024, they were chosen to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Doomsday Blue,” winning both jury and public favor in Eurosong 2024. Living in East London and hailing from a diverse family background, Robinson identifies as non-binary and actively contributes to LGBTQ+ visibility in music. Their journey also includes overcoming personal battles with drug addiction, underpinning their advocacy for health and representation. Eurosong In the past, the Irish national selection was called The Irish National Song Contest. However, already for years it’s named Eurosong. The show is part of the famous Late, Late Show, hosted by Patrick Kietty. Six songs competed in the contest. And although the international jury chose boyband Next In Line for the contest, the national jury ánd the televoters chose for Bambie Thug; this was very much to the joy of the Eurofans visiting platform X. They cheered that ‘The Witch has won!’. Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1965 was the first year ever that Ireland contributed to the Eurovision Song Contest. “Doomsday blue” will be the 57th entry. Together with Sweden, Ireland holds the record of no less than seven victories. It all started with Dana in 1970, followed by the Johnny Logan double in 1980 and 1987; a third Logan-victory followed in 1992 with a song, sung by Linda Martin. And from that moment on it seemed like being Irish was one of the preconditions to win the contest, with Niamh Kavanagh in 1993, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan in 1994 and Eimear Quinn in 1996. Note that the Norwegian group Secret Garden, winners of 1995, had an Irish violinist: Fionualla Sherry. The last couple of years, Ireland was not so succesful, with the last four entries missing the final. Who knows, Bambie Thug will change that. The Bookmakers Ireland is currently 16th in the odds to win the contest. Although the odds for the semifinal are not published yet, Ireland is the 5th highest scoring song from the 1st semifinal. It is safe to say that the bookies predict a place in the final. The song And this is the song:

🇱🇹 Road to Malmö: Lithuania

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Lithuania. Silvester Belt Silvestras Beltė, known as Silvester Belt, is a distinguished Lithuanian singer-songwriter born on 26 November 1997 in Kaunas. Educated at the University of Westminster, London, with a degree in Commercial Music Performance, Beltė swiftly returned to Lithuania post-graduation to delve into the electronic/pop music scene. His breakthrough came in 2017 as the victor of Lithuania’s reality show Aš – superhitas, leading to his move to Vilnius and the release of his debut single “Noise.” Beltė’s talents also extended behind the scenes in 2 Barai, a Lithuanian reality show. Despite an early exit in X Faktorius’ sixth season, his competitive spirit never waned. On 17 february 2024, Beltė was announced as Lithuania’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with his song “Luktelk,” showcasing his ascension in the music industry. Eurovizija.lt For the first time, the name of the Lithuanian national selection was Eurovizija.lt. However, the format did not really change. 5 semifinals with 8 songs each were held. Two songs in every semifinal went through to the final. We saw some familiar names in the national selection: Andrius Pojavis (ESC 2013), Vilija (ESC 2014) and The Roop (ESC 2020 and 2021). However, only The Roop reached the final. Lithuania in the Eurovision Song Contest The first time Lithuania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest was in 1994. After gaining no points at all, the country quit, to return in 1999. This year marks their 24th participation. So far, Lithuania never reached the top-5. In 2006, LT United reached a 6th place with the song “We are the winners”. In later years Donny Montel (9th in 2016) and The Roop (8th in 2021) reached the top-10. Will Silvester Belt break the record and reach the top-5? Bookmakers Currently, Lithuania is on the 12th spot to win the contest. Although the betting odds for semifinal one don’t seem to be ready yet, we can safely say that Lithuania will reach their top-10 and go on to the final. That means, according to the bookmakers. The song And this is the song:

🇷🇸 Road to Malmö: Serbia

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Serbia. Teya Dora Teodora Pavlovska, known professionally as Teya Dora, was born on May 1, 1992, in Bor, Serbia. Balancing her academic endeavors in Belgrade with a musical education specializing in piano at the “Dr. Vojislav Vučković” Music School, she furthered her studies at Berklee College of Music. There, she focused on vocal studies alongside Charlie Puth and contributed backing vocals for American Grammy winners like Patti Austin and Valerie Simpson. After Berklee, she moved to New York, engaging in English songwriting for ARKTKT Publishing. Her Serbian music industry debut came with “Nema limita” for Nikolija in 2018, leading to numerous songwriting contributions for artists like Nataša Bekvalac. As a solo artist, her release “Da na meni je” in July 2019 marked the start of her vocal career, followed by her notable work “Džanum” for the “South Wind” series sequel, which achieved viral success on TikTok and significant streaming numbers on Spotify. By 2024, Teya Dora’s innovative musical contributions and unique blend of genres propelled her to represent Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Ramonda”, highlighting her as a significant figure in the Serbian music scene. Pesma Za Evroviziju The Serbian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest is called Pesma Za Evroviziju. The name exists since 2022. Before that, the national final was named Beovizija. This year the contest contained two semifinals with 14 songs each. The final consisted of 16 songs. A familiar name in the contest was the one of Konstrakta, who had a song and act being a close follow up of the 2022 song “In corpore sana”. Konstrakta reached a 4th place. Teya Dora was the no. 1 in both televote and jury vote. Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest Serbian artists have taken part in the Eurovision Song Contest in the past when Serbia was a part of Yugoslavia, and later Serbia and Montenegro. Serbia’s debut as an independent country was in 2007, when Maria Šerifović sang “Molitva” and won the contest. It was the only time Serbia won so far, but Željko Joksimović reached a 3rd place in 2012. Konstrakta was 5th in 2022. Last year, Luke Black reached the final but ended up in 24th place. photo: Indrek Galetin, Wikimedia Commons The bookmakers Currently, Serbia is in 18th place in the odds to win the Eurovision Song Contest. Although the odds for semifinal 1 are not ready, we can safely say that Serbia might reach the final. What they will do there depends on a lot of things. The song And this is the song: