Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024

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Eurovision Song Contest 2024
Country Slovenia
National selection
Selection processInternal selection
Selection date(s)
  • Artist: 12 December 2023
  • Song: 20 January 2024
Selected entrantRaiven
Selected song"Veronika"
Selected songwriter(s)
Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2023 • 2024

Slovenia is set to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö, Sweden, with the song "Veronika" performed by Raiven. The Slovenian national broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO) initially planned to organise a national final in order to select the Slovenian entry for the 2024 contest, but ultimately opted for an internal selection.

Background[edit]

Main article: Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest

Prior to the 2024 contest, Slovenia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest twenty-eight times since its first entry in 1993. Slovenia's highest placing in the contest, to this point, has been seventh place, which the nation achieved on two occasions: in 1995 with the song "Prisluhni mi" performed by Darja Švajger and in 2001 with the song "Energy" performed by Nuša Derenda. The country's only other top ten result was achieved in 1997 when Tanja Ribič performing "Zbudi se" placed tenth. Since the introduction of semi-finals to the format of the contest in 2004, Slovenia has thus far managed to qualify to the final on seven occasions, the latest being in 2023, when "Carpe Diem" performed by Joker Out ultimately placed twenty-first in the final.[1]

The Slovenian national broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO), broadcasts the event within Slovenia and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. The Slovenian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest has usually been selected through a national final entitled Evrovizijska Melodija (EMA), which has been produced with variable formats, with the exceptions of 2013, 2021 and 2023, when the Slovenian entry was internally selected. On 14 September 2023, RTVSLO confirmed its intention to participate in the 2024 contest;[2] plans regarding the selection were announced on 17 October 2023, with the development of a new national final format, Misija Malmö ("Mission Malmö"), though this was later scrapped in favour of an internal selection.[3][4]

Before Eurovision[edit]

Raiven was internally selected by Radiotelevizija Slovenija to represent Slovenia in Malmö.

Internal selection[edit]

The Slovenian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 was selected internally by Radiotelevizija Slovenija, marking the fourth time the broadcaster has internally selected their act for the contest. RTVSLO originally planned to organise a new national final format, Misija Malmö, in order to select the Slovenian entry for the 2024 contest. It would have consisted of one final, to be broadcast in January 2024.[3] A submission period for interested artists and composers was open between 17 October and 15 November 2023; in order to qualify to compete, the main performer of an entry was required to hold temporary or permanent residence in Slovenia. RTVSLO also directly invited artists and composers from the national music scene. A Slovenian expert committee and an international one were due to select four finalists.[3] By the end of the submission period, around 100 entries had been received.[4]

On 5 December 2023, it was announced that the two panels had directly selected the Slovenian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, later specifying that the Slovenian panel had narrowed down the entries to five, among which the international panel made the ultimate decision. On 12 December 2023, during a special press conference held at the Ljubljana Slovene National Theatre Opera and Ballet, Raiven was announced as the selected artist; she had previously participated in the 2016, 2017 and 2019 Slovenian national selections. Raiven had submitted two songs to RTVSLO for the contest, "Ofelija" and "Veronika", the later of which was selected to represent Slovenia in Malmö. "Veronika", written in Slovene and inspired by the story of Veronika of Desenice, was written by Raiven alongside Bojan Cvjetićanin [sl] (2023 representative of Slovenia as lead singer of Joker Out), Danilo Kapel, Klavdija Kopina, Martin Bezjak and Peter Khoo. The song was unveiled during a special televised show on 20 January 2024.[5][4][6][7][8][9] The show, also branded as Misija Malmö, was hosted by Tilen Artač [sl] on TV SLO 1 [sl] and featured guest performances by Gregor Ravnik [sl] and Gregor Strasbergar [sl].[10][11][12] RTVSLO also broadcast two introductory programmes for the show on 6 and 13 January 2024, celebrating Joker Out's success in the previous year's Eurovision.[13][14][15] During the presentation of the song, the accompanying music video was also released.[16][17][18]

Irregularity allegations[edit]

By early January 2024, the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption of the Republic of Slovenia (KPK) received reports that RTVSLO had committed irregularities while conducting its selection for the contest. Although the broadcaster stated that no irregularities had yet been found, the ongoing investigation led Vanja Vardjan, RTVSLO's head of entertainment who was responsible for the process, to resign on 24 January.[19] Vardjan was later replaced by Mario Galunič [sl].[20]

Promotion and preparation[edit]

In order to promote "Veronika" as the Slovenian entry for the 2024 contest, Raiven embarked on a promotional tour across Europe and Slovenia. On 24 January 2024, Raiven appeared on Slovenian radio station Hitradio Center, where she discussed the making of the song and plans for the final performance. On 17 February 2024, Raiven released a short documentary, retelling the production of the five songs on her EP Sirene Pt. 1, including "Veronika".[21][22] On 23 February 2024, she performed "Ofelija" and an acoustic version of "Veronika" alongside Bowrain [sl] during the second semi-final of the Croatian national final in Zagreb.[23][24][25] The singer also performed at a number of pre-party events, namely: the PrePartyES event in Madrid on 30 March 2024 (where she was joined by dancer Mateja Železnik), the Barcelona Eurovision Party on 6 April 2024, the London Eurovision Party on 7 April 2024, the Eurovision in Concert event in Amsterdam on 13 April 2024, and the Nordic Eurovision Party in Stockholm on 14 April 2024.[26][27][28][21][29][30][31][32] On 16 April 2024, the singer held a press conference in Ljubljana alongside Ksenija Horvat [sl], Director of TV Slovenija, and Mario Galunič [sl], TV SLO entertainment editor, where she presented the official music video for "Ofelija". The video was also premiered on the official YouTube channel for the Eurovision Song Contest.[33] On 21 April 2024, Raiven performed at the Cankar Centre in Ljubljana, where performed "Veronika" alongside four other tracks in celebration of ten years in the music industry.[33][34][35]

On 23 February 2024, Raiven revealed that she was in the process of recording a new version of "Veronika", which she would perform at the contest in Malmö.[36]

Calls for exclusion of Israel[edit]

Main article: Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 § Slovenia

The inclusion of Israel in the list of participants for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis resulting from Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip during the Israel–Hamas war sparked controversy in Slovenia as well as several other participating countries, with several groups and politicians in Slovenia calling for the removal of Israel from the contest, including Matjaž Nemec and Irena Joveva.[37] On 7 February 2024, RTVSLO asked the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to conduct a substantive discussion with its member broadcasters regarding Israeli participation. Director of TV Slovenija Ksenija Horvat [sl] cast doubts on whether it was "the time to sing and dance" considering the death toll of the attacks and the ongoing famine in Gaza.[38] An official appeal was also signed by several Slovenian non-governmental organisations, musicians and cultural figures, including Astrid Ana Kljun, Boris Cavazza [sl], Bort Ross, Domen Valič [sl], Zala Kralj and Gašper Šantl (who represented Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv), Jernej Dirnbek [sl], Ksenija Benedetti [sl], Mia Puhar Rodin, Michael Leopold [sl], N'toko, Saša Vipotnik, Svetlana Makarovič, Tomislav Jovanović [sl], Tomaž Mihelič (who represented Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002), and Zlatko.[39][40] On 1 March 2024, RTVSLO confirmed it had not yet received a response from the EBU regarding requests for discussion over the Israeli participation.[38]

At Eurovision[edit]

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will take place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consist of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. All nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete in the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final will progress to the final. On 30 January 2024, an allocation draw was held to determine which of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show, each country will perform in; the EBU split up the competing countries into different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot.[41] Slovenia was scheduled for the second half of the first semi-final.[42] The shows' producers then decided the running order for the semi-finals; Slovenia was set to perform in position 9, following the entry from Iceland and before the entry from Finland.[43][44]

In Slovenia, RTVSLO will broadcast the first semi-final and the final on TV SLO 1 [sl] and the second semi-final on TV SLO 2 [sl], all with live commentary from Ljubljana by Mojca Mavec [sl], as well as the first semi-final and the final on Radio Val 202 with commentary by Maj Valerij.[45][46][47]

On 26 February 2024, RTVSLO confirmed that filming had begun in Celje for the Slovenian postcard, with sights including Celje Castle, Josip Pelikan's glass photography studio, the "City under the City" in the Provincial Museum of Celje [sl], the Celje Technopark and Krekov Square.[48]

Performance[edit]

Raiven is taking part in technical rehearsals on 28 April and 1 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 6 and 7 May.[49] On 16 April 2024, she revealed that her performance at the contest would be heavily influenced by the music video for "Veronika", and "be based on organicity and movement". Raiven will be joined on stage by members of the SNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana [sl] Lukas Bareman, Marin Ino, Filippo Jorio, Matteo Moretto, and Mateja Železnik under the choreographic direction of Lukas Zuschlag.[33] The director for the performance is Nejc Levstik, the lighting is directed by Črt Birsa, the content designer for the LED screens is Žiga Radulj, and the sound image was designed by Martin Bezjak.[47] The costumes, a dark silver bodysuit for Raiven and nude bodysuits for the backing dancers, are designed by Aemona. During the performance, LED graphics, pyrotechnics, and low fog and wind effects are used.[50][51][52]

Voting[edit]

The spokesperson for the Slovenian jury at the final will be Lorella Flego, who previously announced the points for Slovenia in 2012, 2021 and 2022.[53]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Slovenia". Eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  2. ^ Maatko, Alesh (14 September 2023). "Slovenija gre na Evrovizijo 2024" [Slovenia is going to Eurovision 2024]. Evrovizija.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 14 September 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Maatko, Alesh (17 October 2023). "Ema 2024: Štiri skladbe, en zmagovalec" [Ema 2024: Four tracks, one winner]. Evrovizija.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Granger, Anthony (10 December 2023). "Slovenia: Eurovision 2024 Song to be Revealed on January 20". Eurovoix. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  5. ^ Bors, Jan (19 March 2024). Amazing talk with Raiven about Veronika and so much more! | Eurovision 2024 Interview. Retrieved 24 March 2024 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "Kdo bo zastopal Slovenijo na 68. tekmovanju za Pesem Evrovizije?" [Who will represent Slovenia at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest?] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  7. ^ Farren, Neil (5 December 2023). "Slovenia: Eurovision 2024 Entrant to Be Revealed on December 12". Eurovoix. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
  8. ^ "Raiven brings her ethereal symphony from Slovenia". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  9. ^ "At the Eurovision Song Contest, we will be represented by Raiven with her song entitled Veronika". RTVSLO. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Spored - 20.01.24" [Schedule - 20.01.24]. RTVSLO. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  11. ^ "V soboto ob 20.00 Misija Malmö, predstavitev skladbe za izbor Pesem Evrovizije" [On Saturday at 20:00 Misija Malmö, the presentation of the entry for the Eurovision Song Contest] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  12. ^ Granger, Anthony (17 January 2024). "Slovenia: Misija Malmö Song Reveal Show Details Revealed". Eurovoix. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  13. ^ "Program TV Slovenija v letu 2024" [Programme of TV Slovenija for the year 2024] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  14. ^ Maatko, Alesh. "Misija Malmö: Vrhunec bo razkritje skladbe Veronika" [Misija Malmö: The highlight will be the unveiling of the track Veronika]. Evrovizija.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  15. ^ Čeh, Žana. "Raiven pred razkritjem pesmi: 'Nastanek te skladbe je bil zelo dolgotrajen proces'" [Raiven before revealing the song: "The creation of this song was a very long process"] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  16. ^ "Raiven - Veronika | Slovenia | Official Video | Eurovision 2024". EBU. 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024 – via YouTube.
  17. ^ "Slovenia: Raiven ready to reveal 'Veronika' music video". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
  18. ^ Grace, Emily (20 January 2024). "Slovenia: Raiven Releases Eurovision 2024 Entry 'Veronika'". Eurovoix. Retrieved 21 January 2024.
  19. ^ Granger, Anthony (24 January 2024). "Slovenia: Head of Entertainment at RTVSLO Resigns Following Allegations of Irregularities in Eurovision Preparations". Eurovoix. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  20. ^ Maatko, Alesh (14 April 2024). "Lorella Flego bo v Malmö sporočila točke glasovanja" [Lorella Flego will announce the voting points in Malmö]. Evrovizija.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  21. ^ a b Stephenson, James (18 February 2024). "Slovenia: Raiven Releases New EP Ahead of Eurovision". Eurovoix. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  22. ^ Raiven (17 February 2024). Tales behind the EP Sirene pt. 1 (in Slovenian and English). Retrieved 24 February 2024 – via YouTube.
  23. ^ "Donosimo detalje triju večeri glazbenog spektakla na HRT-u" [We bring the details of three evenings of the musical spectacle on HRT] (in Croatian). HRT. 14 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Dora, izbor hrvatske pjesme za Pjesmu Eurovizije - prijenos 2. polufinalne večeri" [Dora, selection of the Croatian song for the Eurovision Song Contest - broadcast of the 2nd semi-final night] (in Croatian). HRT. 22 February 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
  25. ^ "Veronika v živo prvič zaživela na odru hrvaške Dore" [Veronika performed live for the first time on the stage of Croatian Dora] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 24 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  26. ^ @hitradiocenter (24 April 2024). "Raiven and her 'Veronika' are ready for Eurovision". Retrieved 24 January 2024 – via Instagram.
  27. ^ @nordiceurovision (11 January 2024). "Raiven Will Perform at the Nordic Eurovision Party!". Retrieved 13 January 2024 – via Instagram.
  28. ^ "'Noro in navdihujoče, da ljudje, ki sploh ne govorijo slovensko, pojejo Veroniko'" ["Crazy and inspiring that people who don't even speak Slovenian sing Veronika"] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  29. ^ Maldonado, Yesaac (9 January 2024). "Slovenia: Raiven Confirmed for Barcelona Eurovision Party 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
  30. ^ @eurovisioninconcert (8 January 2024). "Our Third Confirmed Act is Raiven!". Retrieved 13 January 2024 – via Instagram.
  31. ^ Davies, Meg (28 January 2024). "Slovenia: Raiven Confirmed for London Eurovision Party 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  32. ^ Grace, Emily (20 February 2024). "Spain: Several Artists Join The PrePartyES 2024 Line-Up". Eurovoix. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  33. ^ a b c "Raiven želi uprizoriti nastop, na katerega bo ponosna še leta" [Raiven wants to put on a performance she'll be proud of for years to come] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Raiven: Sirens". cd-cc.si (in Slovenian). 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  35. ^ Granger, Anthony (23 April 2024). "Slovenia: Raiven Marks 10 Years Of Music". Eurovoix. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  36. ^ Granger, Anthony (23 February 2024). "Slovenia: Raiven Recording New Version of 'Veronika' for Eurovision". Eurovoix. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  37. ^ "K izključitvi Izraela pozivajo slovenski glasbeniki, pa tudi evropski poslanci" [Slovenian musicians, as well as European MPs, are calling for the exclusion of Israel] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  38. ^ a b "Na Evroviziji naj bi Izraelu zaradi politične vsebine zavrnili že drugo pesem" [It is the second time that Israel's song has been rejected at Eurovision because of its political content] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  39. ^ "RTV Slovenija bo pozval EBU, naj glede sodelovanja Izraela opravi vsebinsko razpravo s članicami" [RTV Slovenia will ask the EBU to conduct a substantive discussion with its members regarding Israel's participation] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  40. ^ Volk, Luka. "Slovenija bi Evrovizijo lahko pozvala k izločitvi Izraela" [Slovenia could call on Eurovision to exclude Israel]. Mladina. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  41. ^ Van Dijk, Sem Anne (13 December 2023). "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Allocation Draw on January 30". Eurovoix. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  42. ^ "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Draw results". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  43. ^ "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Running Orders revealed!". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  44. ^ "Znan je vrstni red nastopov na Evroviziji. Raiven na oder deveta v prvem polfinalu" [The running order of Eurovision is known. Raiven on stage ninth in the first semi-final.] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 26 March 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  45. ^ Maatko, Alesh (16 April 2024). "Mojca Mavec namesto Andreja Hoferja" [Mojca Mavec instead of Andrej Hofer]. Evrovizija.com (in Slovenian). Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  46. ^ "Raiven želi uprizoriti nastop, na katerega bo ponosna še leta" [Raiven wants to put on a performance she'll be proud of for years to come] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  47. ^ a b "Raiven na Pesem Evrovizije v Malmö" [Raiven at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  48. ^ "Raiven del evrovizijske razglednice posnela v Celju" [Raiven recorded part of the Eurovision postcard in Celje] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  49. ^ "Eurovision 2024: Rehearsal Schedule". Eurovisionworld. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  50. ^ Andersson, Rafaell (17 April 2024). "Slovenia: Staging Details Revealed for Eurovision Entry 'Veronika'". Eurovoix. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  51. ^ Farren, Neil (28 April 2024). "Slovenia: All the Details About Raiven's First Rehearsal". Eurovoix. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  52. ^ "Raiven opravila s prvo vajo: 'Zelo sem pomirjena'" [Raiven passed the first rehearsal: "I'm very relaxed"] (in Slovenian). RTVSLO. 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  53. ^ Washak, James (14 April 2024). "Slovenia: Lorella Flego Spokesperson for Eurovision 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 14 April 2024.

External links[edit]

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