 This year Croatia will be participating for the 19th time in the Eurovision Song Contest as an independent country. The formerly Yugoslavia has participated 27 times from 1961 on and could once win the contest with “Rock me” by Riva in 1989. The year after Zagreb has been the host city of the ESC, which is now the capital of Croatia. Croatian music is generally very close connected with the folkloristic roots; with traditional instruments, hence are reflected in many Croatian Eurovision entries in the past. There were also contemporary songs sung in English, but the melancholic Balkan soul is distinctively found in all contributions. The most outstanding songs to remember are: “Sveta Ljubav” by Maja Blagdan (#4) in 1996, “Neka Mi Ne Svane” by Danijela (#5) in 1998 and “Marija Magdalena” by Doris Dragovic (#4) in 1999. In the annual Croatian music festival DORA there has been a duel between two singers at the end. Finally, Daria Kinzer could convince the spectators with “Lahor”, which has now been changed into an English version “Celebrate”. This is a song for the category “Euro pop”, with a danceable rhythm, a catchy chorus and very positive attitude. “Celebrate” is not the only Euro pop song of this year’s ESC, also Sweden, Belarus, Malta and Hungary playing their cards in the same music genre, Hungary starts one number behind Croatia. Croatia is probably joining the European Union, so the song title “Celebrate” would be quite suitable, furthermore the 20 years old singer is born in Germany, and this might be a good omen? |
Participant(s): Daria Kinzer
