Jelena Toma�ević, the Serbian representative at this year's Eurovision Song Contest, has spoken candidly to OGAE Croatia on her visit to Zagreb.
Jelena and �eljko Joksimović, the composer of her song Oro and Eurovision Song Contest runner-up in 2004, appeared on the HRT show Na domaćem terenu (On Home Ground) last weekend.
"I have been collaborating with �eljko for several years, and our song Jutro came second at Evropesma in 2005, second for reasons known to all", says Jelena, thus alluding to the political situation in Serbia and Montenegro at the time.
"I think that it is a great honour to represent my country at such a big event", says the singer, who eventually plans to record the song in Spanish, Greek, Hebrew, Finnish, Russian and English. On asked why the song was being recorded in so many languages, Jelena said: "Ask my PR team! I like all the versions, but I'm going to sing completely in Serbian in May. I think a lot is lost by singing in English. Isn't that what Eurovision's all about, showing the difference?"
Jelena says that she always enjoyed watching Eurovision when she was a little girl, however when �eljko sang Lane Moje in 2004, Eurovision became much more popular.
"I've heard all the songs for this year's contest, and I have to say that I have not been won over by a single one. But what I dislike most is the direction in whichsome countriesare going. I'm thinking first and foremost about Ireland. I think it is totally bizarre, andthe banalisation of a once respected musical event. I simply can't compete against a turkey. Isn't the whole point that the singer performing a song can be seen? Perhaps he is backstage, and it is playback!" says Jelena.
