Tonight, Ana Soklič debuted the song that will represent Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. The presentation of the song took part in a special edition of EMA, which served as a tribute to the country’s Eurovision history.
Unlike previous years, where several acts would have competed, tonight’s show was a celebration of Slovenia, and Yugoslavia at the Eurovision Song Contest throughout the years.
Slovenian Television (RTVSLO) announced on 16th of May 2020, that their 2020 representative, Ana Soklič would return for the 2021 contest. For Ana, her Eurovision time has finally come after several unsuccessful attempts.
Ana Soklič was born on the 10th of April 1984 in Savica, in what was then Yugoslavia. With the stage name of Diona Dim, Ana tried to represent Slovenia by taking part in EMA 2004, but was eliminated in the first round with the song If You. She tried again in 2007 with the song Oce but was unsuccessful again.
Finally, in 2020 she won EMA with the song Voda which due to the COVID-19 crisis the contest was cancelled. Ana returns to represent Slovenia in 2021, and tonight, her song was revealed.
Slovenia will perform in the first half of the first semi-final to be held on the 18th of May 2021.
EMA 2021 – The show
The show kicked off at 20:00 and with a duration of 1 hour and 10 minutes, it was fairly short too. However, short in this case doesn’t mean uninteresting. The show was hosted by Slovenia’s 2018 representative Lea Sirk, along with and Nejc Šmit.
Before the presentation of the entry we saw a little comedy sketch, a summary of the past year and an interview with Ana by the hosts. The night was mainly about a tribute to former Yugoslavian and Slovenian entries. Thus, we saw short appearances by many Yugoslavian and Slovenian artists including the first Yugoslavian entrant Ljiljana Petrović, 1989 Yugoslavian entrant and winner Riva and Zala Kralj & Gašper Šant (2019). They made a short live phone interview with Ditka Haberl the vocalist of Pepel in kri. Also, we were treated by video interviews with Emilija Kokić, the vocalist of Riva,1990 Yugoslavian entrant Tajči, Slovenian entrants Darja Švajger, Nuša Derenda and Maja Keuc, After appearances by Sietse Bakker and the team behind the entry, Ana performed her power ballad Amen which she will take to Rotterdam.
Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest
Slovenia first appeared at the Eurovision Song Contest as an independent country in 1993 with the band 1X Band and the song, Tih Deževen Dan, which finished in 22nd place.
Due to their low placing Slovenia had to miss out in 1994 but returned in 1995 with Darja Švajger and earned their highest place to date, seventh with Prisluhni Mi.
In 2001, Nuša Derenda equalled that position by placing seventh with Enegy. Since then, Slovenia’s appearances at the Eurovision Song Contest have been erratic. On 10 occasions they have failed to qualify for the final.
At their last appearance in 2019, they placed 15th with Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl and Sebi.
