After a two-year break from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest, Montenegro is back in the game and will be a competing country in this year’s contest in Turin. Earlier this year, the Montenegrin broadcaster announced that 35-year old singer and songwriter, Vladana, had been internally selected to represent Montenegro with the song ‘Breathe’ – song written by herself and renowned songwriter Darko Dimitrov. She will be performing in the second semi-final.
Vladana, who started her music career from a very young age, competed in the grand final of Evropesma-Europjesma in 2006, the national final for Serbia & Montenegro at the time. Since, she continued to work on new music, releasing in 2010 her first album in English named ‘Sinner City’’.
Eurovision Fam had the pleasure to ask a few questions to Vladana on her music career, her song, and her Eurovision experience so far:
Could you please tell us more about how you discovered your passion for making music and singing? Who or what influenced you to pursue this career?
I wanted to become an opera singer. I was mesmerized by Montserrat Caballé and Freddy Mercury and their song Barcelona as a child. That was the moment I knew I wanted to be a singer.
What are the things you love most about the Eurovision Song Contest?
To be honest, I am not such a great fan of Eurovision. I love it, obviously, but I never followed the event in detail. That’s why I don’t know much about Eurovision as you guys do, but now I like it even more. What do I love the most about it? Well, the people the most. The community.
If you could change one thing about the Eurovision Song Contest, what would that be?
Probably the voting system. Mainly because of geopolitical reasons. Smaller countries have smaller chances, and I think I’d give up on this “Big 5” performing in the final directly.
What do you think of this year’s Eurovision pool of artists? Is there any artist you are most excited to meet and compete against?
Maro from Portugal I’d surely like to meet. I think she is exceptional.
What excites you most about competing at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin?
The stage, and more than 200 million people watching the show.
Could you please tell us the source of inspiration behind the lyrics in your Eurovision song ‘Breathe’?
My mom died from Covid last November. So, I’ve dedicated the song to her. But also to all people who lost the battle for life and their families and friends. We should never forget them and stop remembering them as statistics.
This is why I don’t really have any expectations going into the contest itself, I just want the world to listen to the three-minute tribute and simply breathe!
At Eurovision Fam, we work hard to represent the views of ESC fans from non-participating countries. What region of the world apart from Europe would you be most excited for your music to reach? What would be the impression you would like these new listeners to get from you?
Latin America and China, for example. I’d like to transfer my emotions to them through the song and let them understand the country I’m coming from better.
Where do we expect to hear and see you perform in Europe in 2022? Any particular places or locations you are most excited about performing? (of course, besides the ESC in Turin)
After all those pre-Eurovision performances I have had so far, the audience can still join me in Madrid. I might visit one or two more cities before Turin, but you’ll have to follow one of my social media platforms for the updates. Helsinki is still on the list as I’ve recorded the song in Finnish. However, we don’t know yet if we will have time to visit Finland.
For more information and updates check out Vladana’s instagram account: @vladanavucinic
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