HRT, the Croatian national broadcaster, has revealed the 14 finalists that will take part in Dora 2021.
The acts competing in Dora were chosen by an expert jury composed of representatives of HRT, HDS and HGU (Croatian Radio and Television, Croatian Composers’ Association and the Croatian Music Union). The 14 competing acts are:
- FIlip Rudan – Blind
- Bernarda – Colors
- Ella Orešković – Come This Way
- Sandi Cenov – Kriv (Guilty)
- Beta Sudar – Ma zamisli (Imagine)
- Brigita Vuco – Noći pijane (Drunk nights)
- ToMa – Ocean of Love
- Eric – Reci mi (Tell me)
- Nina Kraljić – Rijeka (River)
- Ashley Colburn & Bojan Jambrošić – Share the Love
- Mia Negovetić – She’s Like a Dream
- Albina – Tick-Tock
- Cambi – Zaljubljen (In love)
- Tony Cetinski & Kiki Rahimovski – Zapjevaj, sloboda je! (Sing, it’s freedom!)
Furthermore a total of four songs were announced as replacement songs for the contest. These songs will replace any act that withdraws before Dora rehearsals. If an act withdraws during rehearsals they will not be replaced. The replacement songs are:
- Elis Lovrić – Brodolom (Shipwreck)
- Endi feat. Lora – Megaloman
- Pjerino Ružević – Soldier
- Z/11 – Only Love
Two former Croatian representatives feature as artists in the final lineup. Nina Kraljić represented Croatia in Eurovision 2016 while Tony Cetinski was the second ever Croatian representative in 1994. Some familiar names also feature as songwriters. Jacques Houdek, who represented Croatia in 2017, is one of the writers of “Megaloman”. Borislav Milanov, founder of Symphonix International and co-writer of several Eurovision entries, including every Bulgarian entry since 2016, is a co-writer of “Colors”. Linnea Deb, another co-writer of several Eurovision entries, including Eurovision 2015 winner “Heroes”, is a co-writer of “She’s Like a Dream”.
HRT will announce the voting method for Dora by January 20. The final of Dora 2021 will be held on February 13 in Opatija.
Image Source: HRT / Source: HRT
Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Croatia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993, they were one of three countries to debut in the contest that year. Croatia’s best result came in 1999 when Doris Dragović finished 4th in Jerusalem. She performed the song “Marija Magdalena” which scored a total of 118 points, this included 12 points from Slovenia and Spain. Croatia returned to the contest in 2016 having withdrawn after the 2013 contest due to a string of poor results and financial difficulties.
