The Slovenian representative for Eurovision 2018, Lea Sirk, has revealed plans to add English or Portuguese to her song, Hvala, ne!
Speaking to STOP magazine, Lea revealed her plans for Eurovision and also spoke about her victory in EMA. Speaking after her victory in the Slovenian national final, she said:
I am happy for this experience, but I know that, after all, we are a small country and that setting Slovenia to the top of Eurosong is pointless. I go relaxed, as I went to EMA…I will give it energy from beginning to end. I wish that as many people as possible would be with me.
Asked if she would sing in Slovene in Lisbon, Lea responded that she would try to add some English or Portuguese to the text of her song.
It was also revealed that Lea has twice already participated in the Eurovision Song Contest, both times as a backing vocalist for Slovenia. The first time was as with Tinkara Kovac and Round and Round in 2014 when the country made in to the grand final. Lea was also backing vocalist for ManuElla in Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm but on that occasion the Slovenian song Blue and Red failed to progress to the grand final.
The final results of EMA 2018, won by Lea Sirk were:
- “Hvala, ne!” – Lea Sirk – 116 points
- “Promise” – BQL – 106 points
- “Zdaj sem tu” – Lara Kadis – 88 points
- “Ne zapusti me zdaj” – Nuška Drašček – 74 points
- “Ukraden cvet” – Proper – 54 points
- “Glow” – Ina Shai – 38 points
- “Vesna” – Indigo – 18 points
- “Blizu” – Marina Martensson – 8 points
A full break-down of the results were later revealed by RTVSLO.
Lea will be Slovenia’s 24th entry at the Eurovision Song Contest, the nation have been present at the contest every year since 2001. Slovenia have only missed two contests since their debut in 1993, those being 1994 and 2000, both due to Slovenia falling victim to the relegation system in place. Their best placing to date has been 7th, achieved in both 1995 and 2001.
Source: Vecer
Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Slovenia was one of three countries to join the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993. The country qualified through a specially organised selection round called “Kvalifikacija za Millstreet” which was hosted in Slovenia, seven countries competed for three spots in Eurovision 1993. The country has participated in 22 editions of the Eurovision Song Contest. Their best result came in 1995 when Darja Švajger finished 7th scoring a total of 84 points, she is closely followed by Nuša Derenda who finished 7th in the 2001 contest with 70 points.
Maybe she should keep the Slovene lyrics and sing the last chorus in English.
I like her song very much, it makes me wanna dance 🙂 and it is very different, for which I think is good.