Serbia: Jelena speaks to esctoday.com

Archive

by Velimir Djelic March 27, 2008 1:40 pm 107 views

Jelena Tomasevic will represent Serbia in Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with her song Oro. She was so kind to answer to several questions for our readers. In the interview you can find more about what Jelena thinks of the Eurovision Song Contest and how she and her team are preparing for Belgrade.

In May you will represent Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest? What does this festival, its spirit and all what this festival represent mean to you?

Jelena: It is a great honour for me to represent my country in the biggest music festival in Europe. The honour is is even greater, since the festival is going to be held in Serbia, which is the host country. I would say I am not just a singer to compete with my song, but also an ambassador of my country. That is what I'm going to be during my European promo tour. Beside promoting of the song, I will also promote Serbia and I will welcome all of those who intend to spend two weeks of May in Belgrade to attend the Eurovision Song Contest. My message to all of them is that they will have a great time in a city with a big heart.

Eurovision Song Contest is the place where European diversities and multiculturality are most visible. What do you feel, as a viewer, when you see on TV screen asea of colourful flags waving?

Jelena: Exactly that, Europe is made from differently coloured pieces, which together are even more dynamic. It`s all about the spirit of the old continent. The diversitybrings us togetherus to choose the best song of Europe. I think that is the moment when it doesn't matter where people are coming from or which language they speak. Eurovision days give us something positive and energy. During these days it is equally important to support your country, as well as any other participating country.

You will probably sing in the Serbian language and that is not a question. Lot of people say that your voice is divine, the voice forall times. They just don`t need translation when you sing. Are you aware how impressed people are by your voice and your personality?

Jelena: Thank you for so beautiful compliments. I am happy when I transmit the emotion I feel singing the text to the audience. I felt that both nights in Beovizija. I was singing and I saw some people crying. Then I realised my emotions and my inner energy touched them. That is how I feel that they give me their emotions back and it is for me, as a singer, the most important thing. I think it is the essence of being a singer and a listener. It doesn't matter if it is a ballad or an uptempo song. If there is no feedback of emotion, a songhas not fulfilled its aim.

May is not so far anymore. Is there going to be any change in your song? Do you have any idea about that how the performance on the stage could look?

Jelena: Well, May is pretty close now, time is passing fast. For my team and me there was no time to rest and there is still a lot to do. What expects me now is translation of Oro into several languages, small changes in the arrangement, final decision about the campaign and stage performance, European promo tour… Preparations include decisions about my looks on the stage, also. We already have some ideas, but of course that will be a surprise for the people in Belgrade Arena and TV audience.

We can not avoid to mention Marija Serifovic and Zeljko Joksimovic who have represented Serbia before you, and they did it in the best possible way. Does that make you to feel more responsible now?

Jelena: I feel very honored, but also there is a duty for me to continue the way Marija and Zeljko started. They made a very good impression and are a synonym for Serbian music. People say Serbian entries are very good, so my performance in May must confirm the complimentary title we have.

At the end, the most difficult question : What is your favorite Eurovision song ever?

Jelena: Waterloo, ABBA.

Jelena`s biography:
Jelena Tomasevic was born in Negotin (Serbia) on 1 November, 1983. She entered the world of music in a town where she finished Elementary School and Gymnasium. At the age of eight, she won the top award at the Children’s Music Festival "Sarenijada" and three years later, she became the winner of the Yugoslav Children’s Festival.
After becoming a member of the Abrasevic Folklore Ensemble, one of the most successful Serbian ensembles, her music career soared. She achieved tremendous results at the most prestigious festivals.
In 2002, Jelena emerged on the Serbian music scene and her career as a pop singer started to take off. She won over the jury in the superfinal of the TV show "3K DUR" which was broadcast on RTS Three with the aim of promoting young talented artists. Later that same year, she was second at the Zrenjanin Festival and won the best novice award. She was the Serbian representative at the prestigious music festivals in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Belarus.
After this turning point in Jelena’s career, she made a huge breakthrough. In 2003, she competed for the first time at the Budva Festival and finished second at the prestigious festival "Slavjanski bazar" in Belarus. In 2004, she participated with great success in the Beovizija Festival. In 2005, she met Zeljko Joksimovic. She became a member of the Minacord Production Company. At the Beovizija 2005, she sang the song "Jutro" composed by Zeljko Joksimovic and written by Aleksandra Milutinovic and won the top award. Jelena was considered one of the favourites at the Serbian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. She came second in the final. Later that same year, she sang the soundtrack to the film "Ivkova slava" which was written by Zeljko Joksimovic. The film pulled in a record number of viewers.
In December 2007, Jelena Tomasevic entered the Beovizija 2008 Open Competition with the song "Oro“ composed by Zeljko Joksimovic and written by Dejan Ivanovic. On 10 March, 2008, she won the Serbian national selection having received the highest number of points from both the jury and televoters. She was awarded the best interpretation prize by the selection jury.

Related posts