Slovenia will be represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with operatic diva Raiven.
The mezzo-soprano singer, who has been described as a ‘musical alchemist’, impressed viewers during the first of this year’s semi-finals thanks to her dark and dramatic performance of Veronika.
The routine sees the singer, whose real name is Sara Briški Cirman, wearing a black and silver mesh bodysuit as she is surrounded by a group of scantily-clad dancers.
Raiven, who is also an author and harpist, has said the dark pop song takes its inspiration from the tragic story of Veronika of Desenice, who was the second wife of Frederick II and subjected to a witch trial before being imprisoned and murdered in 1425.
In its lyrics, the song makes numerous references to hiding in the river and seeking peace in the waves, whilst making 'voiceless cries for help' and seeking protection.
Since first participating in the contest in 1993, Slovenia has competed 29 times. The country’s best result of seventh place was achieved both in 1995 and 2001. Last year's entrant Joker Out, with their song Carpe Diem, came 21st.
Slovenia’s odds of winning the contest were 300/1 ahead of the show, according to bookies Ladbrokes.
The Eurovision Song Contest grand final takes place on Saturday from 8pm and will be broadcast live on BBC One.
The lyrics in full for Veronika in Slovenian with English translation in italics
Skrila sem se v reko,
in odšla v tiho noč.
I hid in the river.
And went into the silent night.
Z glasnimi koraki,
nemi klici na pomoč.
With loud steps.
Voiceless cries for help.
Zdaj, ko sem le voda,
v valovih iščem mir.
Now that I am just water.
In the waves, I seek peace.
Utopim se v sebi,
se svetlobi prepustim.
I drown in myself.
I surrender to the light.
Najdi me, rani me, brani me.
Koga loviš, ko me zapustiš?
Dvigni me, pusti me, ljubi me.
Kdo te lovi, ko se me bojiš?
Find me, wound me, protect me.
(Who do you chase when you leave me?)
Lift me up, let me go, love me.
(Who hunts you when you fear me?)
Koga se bojiš,
ko svoje želje zatajiš?
Who are you afraid of,
when you deny your desires?
Gledaš me v oči,
podoba tebe v njih žari.
You look me in the eyes.
The image of you shines in them.
Ogledalo sem brez robov.
Le odsev tvojih sem strahov.
I am a frameless mirror.
Just a reflection of your fears.
Najdi me, rani me, brani me.
Koga loviš, ko me zapustiš?
Dvigni me, pusti me, ljubi me.
Kdo te lovi, ko se me bojiš?
Find me, wound me, protect me.
(Who do you chase when you leave me?)
Lift me up, let me go, love me.
(Who hunts you when you fear me?)
Jaz sem.
Ti si.
Veronika.
I am.
You are.
Veronika.
Tvojo resnico le ona ve.
Only she knows your truth.
