| Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurovision Song Contest 2024 | ||||
| Participating broadcaster | Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO) | |||
| Country |  Slovenia | |||
| Selection process | Internal selection | |||
| Announcement date |
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| Competing entry | ||||
| Song | "Veronika" | |||
| Artist | Raiven | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Placement | ||||
| Semi-final result | Qualified (9th, 51 points) | |||
| Final result | 23rd, 27 points | |||
| Participation chronology | ||||
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Slovenia was represented at theEurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Veronika", written byBojan Cvjetićanin [sl], Danilo Kapel, Klavdija Kopina, Martin Bezjak, Peter Khoo, andSara Briški Cirman, and performed by Cirman herself under her stage name Raiven. The Slovenian participating broadcaster,Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO), initially planned to organise a national final in order to select its entry for the contest, but ultimately opted for an internal selection.
Slovenia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 7 May 2024 and was later selected to perform in position 9. At the end of the show, "Veronika" was announced among the top 10 entries of the first semi-final and hence qualified to compete in the final, marking a second consecutive qualification to the final for the country. It was later revealed that Slovenia placed ninth out of the fifteen participating countries in the semi-final with 51 points. In the final, Slovenia performed in position 22 and placed twenty-third out of the 25 performing countries, scoring a total of 27 points.[1]
Prior to the 2024 contest,Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTVSLO) had participated in theEurovision Song Contest representing Slovenia twenty-eight times since its first entryin 1993. Its highest placing in the contest, to this point, had been seventh place, achieved on two occasions: in1995 with the song "Prisluhni mi" performed byDarja Švajger and in2001 with the song "Energy" performed byNuša Derenda. Its only other top ten result was achieved in1997 when "Zbudi se" performed byTanja Ribič placed tenth. Since the introduction of semi-finals to the format of the contest in 2004, it had thus far managed to qualify to the final on seven occasions, the latest being in2023, when "Carpe Diem" performed byJoker Out ultimately placed twenty-first in the final.[2]
As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, RTVSLO organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The broadcaster had usually selected its entry through a national final entitledEvrovizijska Melodija (EMA), which had been produced with variable formats, with the exceptions of2013,2021, and 2023, when the entry was internally selected. On 14 September 2023, RTVSLO confirmed its intention to participate in the 2024 contest;[3] plans regarding the selection were announced on 17 October 2023, with the development of a new national final format,Misija Malmö ("Mission Malmö"), though this was later scrapped in favour of an internal selection.[4][5]
RTVSLO internally selected its entry for theEurovision Song Contest 2024, marking the fourth time the broadcaster has internally selected its entry for the contest. RTVSLO originally planned to organise a new national final format,Misija Malmö, in order to select its entry for the 2024 contest. It would have consisted of one final, to be broadcast in January 2024.[4] A submission period for interested artists and composers was open between 17 October and 15 November 2023; in order to qualify to compete, the main performer of an entry was required to hold temporary or permanent residence in Slovenia. RTVSLO also directly invited artists and composers from the national music scene. A Slovenian expert committee and an international one were due to select four finalists.[4] By the end of the submission period, around 100 entries had been received.[5]
On 5 December 2023, it was announced that the two panels had directly selected the Slovenian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, later specifying that the Slovenian panel had narrowed down the entries to five, among which the international panel made the ultimate decision. On 12 December 2023, during a special press conference held at theLjubljana Slovene National Theatre Opera and Ballet,Raiven was announced as the selected artist; she had previously participated in the2016,2017 and2019 Slovenian national selections. Raiven had submitted two songs to RTVSLO for the contest, "Ofelija" and "Veronika", the later of which was selected to represent Slovenia in Malmö. "Veronika", written in Slovene and inspired by the story ofVeronika of Desenice, was written by Raiven alongsideBojan Cvjetićanin [sl] (2023 representative of Slovenia as lead singer ofJoker Out), Danilo Kapel, Klavdija Kopina, Martin Bezjak and Peter Khoo. The song was unveiled during a special televised show on 20 January 2024.[6][5][7][8][9][10] The show, also branded asMisija Malmö, was hosted byTilen Artač [sl] onTV SLO 1 and featured guest performances byGregor Ravnik [sl] andGregor Strasbergar [sl].[11][12][13] RTVSLO also broadcast two introductory programmes for the show on 6 and 13 January 2024, celebrating Joker Out's success in the previous year's Eurovision.[14][15][16] During the presentation of the song, the accompanying music video was also released.[17][18][19]
By early January 2024, theCommission for the Prevention of Corruption of the Republic of Slovenia (KPK) received reports that RTVSLO had committed irregularities while conducting its selection for the contest. Although the broadcaster stated that no irregularities had yet been found, the ongoing investigation led Vanja Vardjan, RTVSLO's head of entertainment who was responsible for the process, to resign on 24 January.[20] Vardjan was later replaced byMario Galunič [sl].[21] While recognising that the selection "was conducted in a non-transparent manner", by early July 2024 the KPK closed the investigation for lack of sufficient evidence confirming the allegations.[22]
In order to promote "Veronika" as the Slovenian entry for the 2024 contest, Raiven embarked on a promotional tour across Europe and Slovenia. On 24 January 2024, Raiven appeared on Slovenian radio station Hitradio Center, where she discussed the making of the song and plans for the final performance. On 17 February 2024, Raiven released a short documentary, retelling the production of the five songs on her EPSirenePt. 1, including "Veronika".[23][24] On 23 February 2024, she performed "Ofelija" and an acoustic version of "Veronika" alongsideBowrain [sl] during the second semi-final of theCroatian national final inZagreb.[25][26][27] The singer also performed at a number of pre-party events, namely: the PrePartyES event inMadrid on 30 March 2024 (where she was joined by dancer Mateja Železnik), theBarcelona Eurovision Party on 6 April 2024, theLondon Eurovision Party on 7 April 2024, the Eurovision in Concert event inAmsterdam on 13 April 2024, and the Nordic Eurovision Party inStockholm on 14 April 2024.[28][29][30][23][31][32][33][34] On 16 April 2024, the singer held a press conference inLjubljana alongsideKsenija Horvat [sl], Director of TV Slovenija, andMario Galunič [sl], TV SLO entertainment editor, where she presented the official music video for "Ofelija". The video was also premiered on the official YouTube channel for the Eurovision Song Contest.[35] On 21 April 2024, Raiven performed at theCankar Centre in Ljubljana, where she performed "Veronika" alongside four other tracks in celebration of ten years in the music industry.[35][36][37] On 29 April 2024, she released an acoustic version of "Veronika".[38]
On 23 February 2024, Raiven revealed that she was in the process of recording a new version of "Veronika", which she would perform at the contest in Malmö.[39]
The inclusion ofIsrael in the list of participants of the 2024 contest, despite thehumanitarian crisis resulting fromIsraeli military operations in the Gaza Strip during theGaza war, sparked controversy in Slovenia as well as several other participating countries, with several groups and politicians in Slovenia calling for the removal of Israel from the contest, includingMatjaž Nemec andIrena Joveva.[40] On 7 February 2024, RTVSLO asked theEuropean Broadcasting Union (EBU) to conduct a substantive discussion with its member broadcasters regarding Israel's participation. Director ofTV SlovenijaKsenija Horvat [sl] cast doubts on whether it was "the time to sing and dance" considering thedeath toll of the attacks and thefamine in Gaza.[41] An official appeal was also signed by several Slovenian non-governmental organisations, musicians and cultural figures, including Astrid Ana Kljun,Boris Cavazza [sl], Bort Ross,Domen Valič [sl],Zala Kralj and Gašper Šantl (who representedSlovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 inTel Aviv),Jernej Dirnbek [sl],Ksenija Benedetti [sl], Mia Puhar Rodin,Michael Leopold [sl],N'toko, Saša Vipotnik,Svetlana Makarovič,Tomislav Jovanović [sl],Tomaž Mihelič (who representedSlovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002), and Zlatko.[42][43] On 1 March 2024, RTVSLO stated it had not received a response from the EBU regarding requests for discussion over Israel's participation.[41]
TheEurovision Song Contest 2024 took place at theMalmö Arena inMalmö, Sweden, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. All nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) were required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete in the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progressed to the final. On 30 January 2024, an allocation draw was held to determine which of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show, each country would perform in; the EBU split up the competing countries into different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot.[44] Slovenia was scheduled for the second half of the first semi-final.[45] The shows' producers then decided the running order for the semi-finals; Slovenia was set to perform in position 9.[46][47]
In Slovenia, RTVSLO broadcast the first semi-final and the final onTV SLO 1 and the second semi-final onTV SLO 2, all with live commentary from Ljubljana byMojca Mavec [sl], as well as the first semi-final and the final onRadio Val 202 with commentary by Maj Valerij and Igor Bračič.[48][49][50][51] An average of 161,100 viewers were recorded for the first semi-final on TV SLO 1, equating a viewing share of 24%.[52] The second semi-final, broadcast on TV SLO 2, saw a 97,600 viewers (16% share).[53] For the show's live broadcast on TV SLO 1, the final was watched by an average audience of 271,200 viewers, with a share of 47%. The audience peaked at 386,000 viewers for Raiven’s performance of “Veronika”.[53]
On 26 February 2024, RTVSLO confirmed that filming had begun inCelje for the Slovenian postcard, with sights includingCelje Castle, Josip Pelikan's glass photography studio, the "City under the City" in theProvincial Museum of Celje [sl], the Celje Technopark and Krekov Square.[54] The postcard featured archival footage from Slovenia's entries to the contest in2001 and2019.[55]
Raiven took part in technical rehearsals on 28 April and 1 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 6 and 7 May.[56] On 16 April 2024, she revealed that her performance at the contest would be heavily influenced by themusic video for "Veronika", and "be based on organicity and movement". Raiven is joined on stage by members of theSNG Opera and Ballet Ljubljana [sl] Lukas Bareman, Marin Ino, Filippo Jorio, Matteo Moretto, and Mateja Železnik under the choreographic direction of Lukas Zuschlag.[35] The director for the performance is Nejc Levstik, the lighting is directed by Črt Birsa, the content designer for the LED screens is Žiga Radulj, and the sound image was designed by Martin Bezjak.[51] The costumes, a dark silver bodysuit for Raiven and nude bodysuits for the backing dancers, were designed by Anika Opara's "Aemona" brand.[57] During the performance, LED graphics,pyrotechnics, and low fog and wind effects are used.[58][59][60]
Slovenia performed in position 9, following the entry fromIceland and before the entry fromFinland.[46] At the end of the show, the country was announced as a qualifier for the final. It was later revealed that Slovenia placed ninth out of the fifteen participating countries in the first semi-final with 51 points.
Following the semi-final, Slovenia was drawn to perform in the second half of the final.[61] The country was later chosen by producers to perform in position 22, following the entry fromSwitzerland and before the entry fromCroatia.[62] Raiven once again took part in dress rehearsals on 10 and 11 May before the final, including the jury final where the professional juries cast their final votes before the live show on 11 May. She performed a repeat of her semi-final performance during the final on 11 May. Slovenia placed 23rd in the final, scoring 27 points; 12 points from the public televoting and 15 points from the juries.
Below is a breakdown of points awarded by and to Slovenia in the first semi-final and in the final. Voting during the three shows involved each country awarding sets of points from 1-8, 10 and 12: one from their professional jury and the other from televoting in the final vote, while the semi-final vote was based entirely on the vote of the public.[63] The Slovenian jury consisted of Matevž Česen,Maja Keuc, who representedSlovenia in the 2011 contest,Lea Sirk, who representedSlovenia in the 2018 contest, Martin Štibernik, and Filip Vidušin, who representedSlovenia in the 2022 contest as a member of the groupLPS.[64][65] In the first semi-final, Slovenia placed 9th with 51 points, which marked the country's second consecutive qualification to the final. In the final, Slovenia placed 23rd with 27 points. Over the course of the contest, Slovenia awarded its 12 points toCroatia in the first semi-final, and toFrance (jury) and Croatia (televote) in the final.[66][67]
RTVSLO appointedLorella Flego as its spokesperson to announce the Slovenian jury's votes in the final.[68]
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Each participating broadcaster assembles a five-member jury panel consisting of music industry professionals who are citizens of the country they represent. Each jury, and individual jury member, is required to meet a strict set of criteria regarding professional background, as well as diversity in gender and age. No member of a national jury was permitted to be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.[69] The individual rankings of each jury member as well as the nation's televoting results were released shortly after the grand final.
The following members comprised the Slovenian jury:[64][65]
| Draw | Country | Televote | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Points | ||
| 01 |  Cyprus | 4 | 7 |
| 02 |  Serbia | 2 | 10 |
| 03 |  Lithuania | 5 | 6 |
| 04 |  Ireland | 7 | 4 |
| 05 |  Ukraine | 3 | 8 |
| 06 |  Poland | 10 | 1 |
| 07 |  Croatia | 1 | 12 |
| 08 |  Iceland | 11 | |
| 09 | Slovenia | ||
| 10 |  Finland | 8 | 3 |
| 11 |  Moldova | 14 | |
| 12 |  Azerbaijan | 13 | |
| 13 |  Australia | 12 | |
| 14 |  Portugal | 9 | 2 |
| 15 |  Luxembourg | 6 | 5 |
| Draw | Country | Jury | Televote | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juror A | Juror B | Juror C | Juror D | Juror E | Rank | Points | Rank | Points | ||
| 01 |  Sweden | 12 | 8 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 1 | |
| 02 | Ukraine | 16 | 11 | 15 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 3 | 8 | |
| 03 |  Germany | 14 | 18 | 20 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 20 | ||
| 04 | Luxembourg | 5 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 18 | |
 Netherlands | N/A | |||||||||
| 06 |  Israel | 18 | 12 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 2 | 10 | |
| 07 | Lithuania | 15 | 20 | 7 | 23 | 22 | 14 | 11 | ||
| 08 |  Spain | 24 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 13 | ||
| 09 |  Estonia | 20 | 22 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 17 | ||
| 10 | Ireland | 9 | 9 | 11 | 15 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 9 | 2 |
| 11 |  Latvia | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 23 | 21 | 21 | ||
| 12 |  Greece | 6 | 15 | 13 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 16 | |
| 13 |  United Kingdom | 25 | 21 | 17 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 22 | ||
| 14 |  Norway | 23 | 23 | 16 | 22 | 20 | 22 | 19 | ||
| 15 |  Italy | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 3 |
| 16 | Serbia | 8 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 5 |
| 17 | Finland | 19 | 24 | 23 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 15 | ||
| 18 | Portugal | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 24 | |
| 19 |  Armenia | 4 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 14 | |
| 20 | Cyprus | 11 | 14 | 21 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 5 | 6 | |
| 21 |  Switzerland | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 4 |
| 22 | Slovenia | |||||||||
| 23 | Croatia | 10 | 5 | 1 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 12 |
| 24 |  Georgia | 21 | 10 | 22 | 19 | 14 | 16 | 23 | ||
| 25 |  France | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 7 |
| 26 |  Austria | 22 | 17 | 24 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 12 | ||
