Croatia

Daria Kinzer

About Quick Facts NameDaria Kinzer Born29 May 1988 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatian🇦🇹 Austrian National SelectionDORA 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongCelebrate (2011) Biography Daria Kinzer is a Croatian-Austrian singer, born in Aschaffenburg, Germany, on May 29, 1988. She grew up in Vienna, raised by a Croatian mother and a German father. Her musical journey saw a significant milestone in March 2011 when she emerged victorious in Croatia’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest on HRT’s television program, advancing to compete in the first semi-final with her dance track “Celebrate.” Despite a spirited performance, she did not advance to the contest’s final round. Beyond her endeavors in music, Kinzer has also made her mark as a talented musical theatre actress. Kinzer is not just known for her vocal abilities; she is also academically accomplished. She holds degrees in Business Management & Administration from FHWien and in Theatre, Film, and Media Studies from the University of Vienna. Her foray into the world of Schlager music materialized with the release of her debut album “Between Heaven and Earth” on July 12, 2013. She sang on the show “My Musicians,” and for the Croatian audience in the Vienna Concert Hall at the Croatian Tamburitza Rhapsody. In Austria, Daria released a pop album titled “2 Nice”. The singer also played leading roles in musicals such as Chicago, Cats, Hair, Little Shop of Horrors, Beauty and the Beast, and Mamma Mia. In December 2018 she formed Dolls & Guy with Pablo Grande and Tanja Petrasek, for Christmas concerts. She kept on performing with Dolls & Guys on other occasions. They did a show with songs from musicals, called Musical Zirkus, in 2019. At the end of the year, they had a new musical show. In 2021 Daria started performing at cruises with a band. In 2022 she continued with musical concerts. In both 2022 and 2023 Daria performed at the Oktoberfesten. Entries Celebrate Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2011 LanguageEnglish LyricsBoris ĐurđevićMarina Mudrinić MusicBoris Đurđević BackingsKatarina JurićIrena KrižAna Jakšić Results Semi Points: 41Position: 15Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Y0yt3fgPut8?si=G8nE_86BNnV0HAoh

Nina Kraljić

© Eurovisionary About Quick Facts NameNina Kraljić Born4 April 1992 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatian National SelectionDora 2021 (Alkanost of Balkan)Internal selection 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongLighthouse (2016) Biography Nina Kraljić is a Croatian singer-songwriter. She was born in 1992 in Lipovljani, Croatia. Already at a young age, Nina started making music. She sang in a church choir when she was six years old and later joined the school choir. When in her teenage years, she wrote her own songs. She also played the guitar. After finishing high school, Nina moved to Zagreb to study at the Academy of Dramatic Art. popularity skyrocketed overnight. In 2009, she released a single, “Kaži mi”. In 2015, Nina rose to fame when she won the first season of The Voice – Najljepši glas Hrvatske, the Croatian version of The Voice. In the end, Nina won the contest. A single was released with the title of “Zaljuljali smo svijet”. The success of Nina Kraljić led to an invitation by Croatian broadcaster HRT to represent Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest. She took the job, and with her song “Lighthouse” she managed to reach the final. The song reached the no. 1 spot in the Croatian charts. In the same year, Nina released her debut album, “Samo,”. She followed up the album with several successful singles, including “Zaljuljali Smo Svijet” and “Snage Mi Ponestaje.” In 2018, she released her second album, “Samac,” which featured a more stripped-down and intimate sound compared to her debut album. The album was again well-received. Nina teamed up with Jacques Houdek in 2019 for the song “Čista umjetnost” and with Martin Jurić Čivro for “Zima”. The latter reached the top-10 in Croatia in 2020. That was also the year of Nina’s 3rd album, “Čuvaj me”. Nina started performing under the name Alkonost of Balkan. Under that name, she participated in DORA, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, in 2021. She sang the song “Rijeka” and became 2nd in the contest. Entries Lighthouse Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsAndreas GrassNikola Paryla MusicAndreas GrassNikola Paryla BackingsAndrej BabićLino Lacmanović ĆucićMartina MajerleDanijela Večerinović Results Semi Points: 133Position: 10Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 73Position: 23Running order: 17 https://youtu.be/8QUM-_EbE2o

Franka

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameFranka Batelić Born07 June 1992 Nationality???????? Croatian National SelectionInternal selection 2018Dora 2010Dora 2009 In Eurovision2018 Lisbon SongCrazy (2018) Biography Franka Batelić is a Croatian singer, born in Rijeka. She has been singing since she was 3 years old, first as a soloist of the choir Minicantanti, with which she has performed at numerous festivals and events in Croatia and abroad. She won the award at the children’s festival Voci nostre twice, as well as at the Dorica festival in Osijek. In elementary school she was a member of the Parish Choir of St. Andrew in Rabac. Franka graduated from the elementary music school for piano, and in addition to the piano, she plays the guitar. The beginning of her serious music career is marked by the victories on the television talent show Showtime in December 2007. She was now able to sign a record contract. With the winning song “Ovaj dan”, she had a couple of mini shows. With the song “Ruža u kamenu” she participated in the festival of Opatija in 2008. A year later, she participated in Dora, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Pjesmom za kraj”. It became third and also reached the #2 spot in the HR Top 20. In the same year, she won the festival of Opatija with the song “Možda volim te”. In 2010, Franka participated in Dora again, now with the song “Na tvojim rukama” and finished 7th. The debut album, “Franka”, was due out in the first half of 2010, but was not released for unclear reasons. In May 2011, Franka released a new song “Crna duga”, one of Franka’s greatest successes. Franka performed as the opening act in Beyoncé’s show in 2013. After 2013 she took a break but came back in december 2017 with a new song, “S tobom”. She also participated in a Russian-Ukrainian-American production of “The Great Gatsby “ ballet in 2017. She was chosen to represent Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song “Crazy”. In 2019, she reached the #1 spot in the Croatian charts with the song “Ljubav, nista više”, again with “Sve dok sanjaš” and “Samo s tobom meni Božić je”, the latter with Igor Geržina. In July 2020, he released a new single, “Prvi Osjećaj”, which once again conquered the music charts. This song was awarded “Song of the Year”. In December 2020, her new song and video “Plan B” came out. In March 2021, the new video “Bolji ludi” came out. The song reached the #1 spot in the Croatian charts. She released two more songs in the same year. In December, she teamed up with Sara Jo for the song “On”. Entries Crazy Country???????? Croatia Year2018 LanguageEnglish LyricsFranka Batelić MusicBranimir Mihaljević BackingsMartina IvankovićĐorđia Palić Results Semi Points: 63Position: 17Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/YxBLFbW5BqE

Klapa s mora

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts MembersMarko ŠkugorAnte GalićNikša AnticaLeon BataljakuIvica VlaićBojan Kavedžija Active2013 Nationality🇭🇷 Croatian National SelectionInternal selection 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongMižerja (2013) Biography Klapa s Mora was a traditional Croatian music ensemble. It was a super klapa group that included six male klapa from five existing klapagroups in Croatia. The group was built up especially for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. For the occasion, “Mižerja” was written. Unfortunately, the group did not reach the final in the contest. Originating from Dalmatia, Croatia, Klapa music is a traditional style of a cappella singing. The term “klapa” means “a group of friends,” and the style is deeply connected to coastal church chants. Its themes often revolve around love, the homeland, the sea, and the joys of wine. While harmony and melody dominate Klapa music, rhythm isn’t typically emphasized. In recognition of its cultural significance, UNESCO added Klapa to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2012. A typical klapa ensemble includes a first tenor, a second tenor, a baritone, and a bass. While all voice parts can be doubled, the first tenor remains singular. These groups usually feature up to twelve male singers. Although female klapa groups have gained popularity recently, groups traditionally remain either all-male or all-female without mixing. While klapa traditionally is a cappella, sometimes a soft guitar or mandolin, which resembles a tamburitza in look and sound, complements the singers. Additionally, synthesizer keyboards mimicking percussion instruments can occasionally accompany the ensemble. Klapa music remains a vibrant tradition with new compositions emerging and dedicated festivals celebrating it. Notably, the Dalmatian Klapas Festival in Omiš stands out as a premier event with deep roots in Klapa music. In recent years, Klapa Šufit has made a mark there, clinching the top spot for three consecutive years from 2006 to 2008. Klapa holds a special place in the hearts of Dalmatian youth who often indulge in this musical tradition during outings for meals or drinks. It’s common to encounter impromptu klapa performances in the evenings, set against a backdrop of food and wine on the streets. Entries Mižerja Country🇭🇷 Croatia Year2013 LanguageCroatian LyricsGoran Topolovac MusicGoran Topolovac Backings– Results Semi Points: 38Position: 13Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/FYm4sGd-qP0?si=jEPyb0lasQaMpTd4

Jacques Houdek

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameŽeljko Houdek Born14 April 1981 Nationality???????? Croatian National SelectionInternal selection 2017Dora 2011Dora 2006Dora 2005Dora 2004Dora 2003Dora 2002 In Eurovision2017 Kyiv SongMy Friend (2017) Biography Jacques Houdek (born Željko Houdek;[1] April 14, 1981, Velika Gorica) is a Croatian singer. He began his professional solo career in 2000 when he sang in a club in Zagreb. His first single, the song ‘Čarolija’, was released in 2002, and with it he introduced himself to a wider audience at Dora, the Croatian preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest. The very next month, Jacques signed a contract with the record company Croatia Records. In 2003, he took part in Dora for a second time. His song “Na krilima ljubavi” became 5th. In 2004 he participated again. “Nema razloga” was good for a 4th place. In the same year, Jacques’ debut album “Čarolija” was released. He also dubbed the voice of Aladdin in the Croatian version of the Disney movie. In 2005, he was present at Dora again, “Nepobjevida” reached a third place. A new album, “Kad is sretan”, was presented too. A 5th attempt in Dora also did not give him the victory, but in 2006 he became 15th in the final with “Umrijeti s osmijehom”. Again, this lead to a new album, “Živim za to”. In the 2007 parlementary election, Jacques Houdek sang the anthem of the conservative HDZ, “HDZ zna”. In the same year, Jacques released a live album ánd a compilation album. In 2008, no less than two brand new albums saw the light: “Idemo u zoološki vrt” and “Crno i bijelo”, and another live album came out. A new album, “Najveći Božićni Hitovi”, was released in 2009, followed by a live album and a compilation album in 2010. In January 2011, Houdek placed fourth in the finals of the Open Mic UK singing contest held in London’s O2 Arena. He also participated in the British TV show The X Factor. However, he was unable to continue his participation in the contest because he did not receive a work permit in time. In the same year, he participated in Dora again and now became shared first. Unfortunately for him, the jury decided to select another singer for the song. The release of a new album in Croatia came in 2012: “Meni za ljubav”. In 2015, a compilation album was released, and in 2016, a brand new album came out: “Tko je, srce, u te dirn’o?”. In 2017, Jacques Houdek was internally selected to represent Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest. With his song “My friend” he managed to reach the final and ended up in 13th place there. Two years later, Houdek was involved in Dora and Eurovision again, but now as a composer. He wrote “The dream”, the Croatian entry, for Roko Blažević. The song did not reach the Eurovision final. In 2021, a new Houdek album saw the light: “Glavom i bradom”. Entries My Friend Country???????? Croatia Year2017 LanguageEnglishItalian LyricsJacques HoudekArjana KunštekFabrizio LaucellaInes Prajo MusicJacques HoudekTonz Roberth MalmSiniša Reljić BackingsAntun StašićEmanuel PavonAlen ĐurasEdgar RupenaMatija Cvek Results Semi Points: 141Position: 8Running order: 11 Results Finals Points: 128Position: 13Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/4Sya_GIxsw0

Roko Blažević

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameRoko Blažević Born10 March 2000 Nationality???????? Croatian National SelectionDora 2019 In Eurovision2019 Tel Aviv SongThe Dream (2019) Biography Roko Blažević is a Croatian singer, born in Split. He showed his singing talent as an 11-year-old in the 2011 Supertalent competition, where he impressed the audience by singing and playing the piano. In July 2017, Blažević won the Serbian reality show Pinkove Zvezdice, One year later he took part in Pinkove Zvezdice again, but now he took the second place. In 2019 he won Dora, the Croatian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. Therefore, he represented Croatia in the 2019 contest with his song “The dream”. The song was written by Blažević’s mentor Jacques Houdek, who also once represented Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest. With this song, Roko reached the first place in the Croatian charts. The follow up for his Eurovision song was the song “Krila”. In 2020, the song “Božić nam dolazi” became a hit for Roko. Entries The Dream Country???????? Croatia Year2019 LanguageEnglishCroatian LyricsJacques HoudekAndrea ČubrićCharlie Mason MusicJacques Houdek BackingsJacques HoudekEndi SchrötterDiego Siqueira Results Semi Points: 64Position: 14Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/gXT5E8kUgfs