Bosnian weekly "Ljiljan" March 10, 2003

Fuad Backovic-Deen for "Ljiljan"
Here people definitely do not have the right of voting

I'm sorry that this time what was expected did not happen--for people to have a chance to give its vote. I'm sorry that people in this country, it seems, have no right to vote, not only concerning music and that particular night, but in general. This event only proved it. The people are those who are always being tapped on the back, you know, as if people are those who are being consulted, but the people, in reality, are those who are consulted the least in all possible circumstance. That's the saddest thing to me, that the people were played and did not have its chance to finally choose something here. On the other hand, I'm also saddened that all this is happening over Mija's back and she has the least amount responsibility in all of this.

Several days have passed since the Bosnian preselection for this year's Eurovision. Have passions calmed?

DEEN: In principle, I did not sign up for the festival to win. I signed up following a call from the people who organized it, to, in some way, make the event bigger with my name, because the whole year has been marked by me, and they were in need to established artists and stars. They said: OK, really, this year everything is fair, the winner is chosen by televoting, you are very popular and have a great chance. I accepted and, as they say, submitted the song 5 minutes to midnight, the song that I worked on together with Zele Lipovaca for my second solo album. Thus, somewhere deep inside me I did not hope to win, and plus I was educated by previous experiences, so, I came to the even a lot less stressed out than before. I was disappointed a lot more when I did not win with the song "Deset miliona ljubavi," that was then for me a total emotional break. I said: I will never again appear on such festivals! But, there, time heals all, so this too. I'm sorry that this time what was expected did not happen--for people to have a chance to give its vote. I'm sorry that people in this country, it seems, have no right to vote, not only concerning music and that particular night, but in general. This event only proved it. The people are those who are always being tapped on the back, you know, as if people are those who are being consulted, but the people, in reality, are those who are consulted the least in all possible circumstance. Because, my God, if the people are the one choosing the one who will ruin it all, then we can't complain because the people chose him. On the other hand, I'm also saddened that all this is happening over Mija's back and she has the least amount responsibility in all of this. I think that all this will have a negative effect on her carreer right off the bat. God willing she manages a great success at Eurovision in Riga and honestly I wish her the best. I think the song is Eurovisiony and secretly it was my favorite, apart from me, of course.

Under assumption that we expected everything that happened with televoting, do you think the alternative was adequate? Or should we have had the classic Eurovision system, juries calling out from big Bosnian cities and giving their votes?


DEEN: Exactly that. If they had wanted an alternative in case televoting fails, then they should have made an alternative with juries of 8-12 people sitting in every biggers Bosnian city and with that the possibility of speculation and polmetics around a fix would have been smaller. Likewise, in my opinion, I think that this jury who at the end chose our winner, was not completely competent to judge about the best song and our representative that night.

Who are you alluding to, more concretely?

DEEN: Let's says I'm alluding on the person from Slovenia. It's a very simple example: someone who is from Slovenia and who comes here to vote will surely chose the worst song, because if they vote for the best they will hurt their own song's chances in Riga. Another thing, that person does not understand the language, does not know our situation, musically is totally unfamiliar with our scene... Likewise, in the jury was a person who twice ruined our chances in Eurovision, who boasts about representing us twice, and both times brought us to the bottom, and so Dino Merlin, who was fourth in Jerusalem, could not secure our participation the year after his so we had to pause a year because of that person's bad scores. In short, I think the jury was not competent, but I am not consulted of this of course, what's there is there.

After the final, you also presented facts which says that in case televoting had succeeded, many things would not have been correct because of certain channelling of calls etc...

DEEN: The big problem with televoting was, actually, there because the people were totally uninformed. This is the first time it was to happen in Bosnia, and in addition, no matter that we're moving towards Europe, it is not possible in Bosnia right now. The obvious examples is: if you try to call someone or send him an SMS at 23:55 on New Year's Eve you will find out that it is impossible. That is enough evidence to prove that televoting in Bosnia cannot work. Not only here, but in 90% of European country. Who counts on it is in big trouble. Because of it great damagae has been done not only to me but to big stars no Bosnian scene like "Zabranjeno pusenje," for which people would surely have voted, Selma Bajrami, who is a household name and who has her fans, Tinka Milinovic, who is musically educated and host the most popular show on TV... However, despite all this, I cannot but not mention the fact that the festival was well organized, from the stage to the atmosphere among everyone. As a festival it was a good try to show off BiH as a European and a country of the world.

It is known that festials like these pant the picture of the music scene of a country pretty well. In that sense, how does it all seem to you, what has been offered that night?

DEEN: As far as the musical part of the festival is concerned, BiH did not show its true quality. I think that the people from the pop world with great quality were missing there exactly because of the constant speculations about fixes, the national key and all the rest. We have a lot more young deserving people who were not featured: Lily, Erato, Al' Dino, Irina Kapetanovic, Punkt, Nermin Puskar itd...

Last year it was openly talked about the national key as the winner was chosen. How influential was the national key this yer?

DEEN: I don't know what to say. Personally, I really like the song by Mija Martina . Even if the national key was in question here, then the girl won with dignity, as she really had a good song and I think she can be successful in Riga.

There are speculations that her song is a copy. If that is proven, you will automatically represent Bosnia at Eurovision. How will you react if that happens?

DEEN: That is a very difficult and ugly decision, a double-edged sword. On the one hand, I would feel indebted to all those who were with me that night, on the other I would give it up because why would I want to pick up someone else's leftovers and to be the end of someone's speculations and dirty games. I would like the most to come back next year and look for my new chance. So that it all is fair, because every year I have sent in songs fairly, no matter the stories about my dad paying people around... I would, therefore, like for Mija to go and represent Bosnia, because she song, she is beginning her carreer, she is young and deserves a chance.

Right before this interview, you came back from Novi Sad (Serbia). What was the purpose of the visit?

DEEN: That was the first award coming to me from outside the borders of Bosnia and it is the award for the most listened singer in Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia, coming from Bosnia. I hold this not only as a great success of mine but also as a success of the entire Bosnian pop scene, because, finally they are recognizing us outside our borders.

What are you doing curently, can we expect the video clip for the song "Taxi"?

DEEN: We will probably make a video clip, because "Taxi" is already becoming a hit, even though it is not the best song of mine. It is a simple, easily remember song, with an easy lyric and it does have the form of a hit.

It's interesting that that night in Skenderija you irresistibly reminded everyone of Michael Jackson.

DEEN: That was really not my intention. Namely, I wanted to looking completely different, in some sort of a game of black, white and red colros. The dancers were supposed to have been dressed a lot more provocatively in hot black undergarmens and with red wigs, and I was supposed to have been dressed in half black, half white with a red glove. Really wicked. However, when Zele saw it, he said: No, the people will not get it. And, thank God, we did not come out like that, I can imagine the position I would have finished with the jury. At the last moment, with Emin Husedzinovic, we thought of everything you saw on the night and if at one moment, whether in a negative or positive sense, reminded people of Michael Jackson, then I'm honored.

Finally, how far have the preparations for your new album gone?

DEEN: God willing, in a month or so I am going to the studio where I will start recording my second solo project which should be out by the end of summer, beginning of autumn. I can freely say that it will be of higher quality and will be better recorded than the previous album. There will be more songs, because there are 11 on this one, and the new one will have 14 or 15 with 2-3 songs in English, two I have written and one cover of a major world hit. That way I will try to show the people my wish of entering the European market. Alonside the new album, I plan to publish a DVD, and a bit of info exclusively for you: I am writing a book which I plan to publish soon as well.

About what?

DEEN: I think I am the youngest person in the area of former Yugoslavia who actively started his engagement in the music scene. And the music scene is the most beautiful, but also the hardest and dirtiest job. In that book, I intend to present my life before and during my working in this line of business, with a sort of a comparions of how it all looks in the West. It will definitely not be an autobiographical piece, but my view of the entire situation, by which I want to bring the people closer to me and my life. So that they can see that is not at all simple to be me, here in this town and in this line of business. The piece will be corroborated by different comments from my colleagues, pictures from personal and professional collections... It's all still premature, but I think it will be interesting.

Bosnian daily "Nezavisne" March 10, 2003

Dobojan Igor Vukojevic, third-placed at BH Eurosong
"Song must be cleansed of traces of politics"

Known as a man who can sing and play 24 hours a day, Igor Vukojevic from Doboj visited Banja Luka after the Eurovision preselection, where he won the first round of voting, to stamp the last seal on the rumors about the backstage events and the lobbying of the jury during the event.

As far as his carreer is concerned, it can be said that it started when he was three years old, that is when he started to learn how to play drums. He became a member of his father's band "Tok zivota" at seven years of age, and today in addition to singing, Igor plays the guitar, drums, he composes, arranges, produces and writes songs, for himself and others; it is hard to find an artist as complete as he is today. He has already released three CDs, has taken part in a dozen of festivals and earned awards with which he has cluttered the glass cabinet.

Even though his carreer is pretty long and rich, he only got popular with an own kind of parody of turbofolk with the song "Juznije od duse," which has become a sort of a cultural obscenity in some circles.

NN: How satisfied are you with BH Eurosong, as far as your performance is concerned and more generally the entire ceremony?

VUKOJEVIC: In principle, I am very satisfied with the performance, the interpretation, and as far as the final position is concerned, I am not satisfied, because all of that could have played out in a more suitable way. Honestly, the whole event, I have to say was well organized in all other aspect, starting with the rehearsals and the final performances.

NN: Who are the creators of the song, helpers, and what is the song about?

VUKOJEVIC: I am the author of the text and the music, while the arrangement was done by Alek Aleksov. The song is totally modern pop, with a bit of pop-rock scent. It is called "Srce ne pita" and the arrangement was very well done, something between Madonna and Bon Jovi, that is a "softer Boj Jovi" arrangment.

NN: You were the favorite for many. What happened?

VUKOJEVIC: Yeah! The song was liked by many in that whole circle, from other participants to, I don't know, the ton master, the lighting man; I am especially happ about the performers coming up to me and telling me: "In the name of music, if you win, we won't be sorry we took part."

NN: What happened behind the scenes, what the viewers could not see?

VUKOJEVIC: Every performer in some way believes in his song, because he becomes close to it and believes in his performance. There are those who sit with a dark cloud over there head, self assured or nervous if they see they won't go through. However, there also also those who are aware of their abilities and those of the song, who are, of course, open towards everyone, there's no nervousness, take everything like sportsmen, the way it should be.

NN: How becoming is voting like the, albeit failed, televoting?

VUKOJEVIC: In that kind of telephone voting, the jury was set up as an alternative, if something goes wrong to stand by. However, in the end the backup jury was the only jury. That voting is not becoming, because some viewers cannot know if some song is good for its artistic value, for example.

NN: According to what principles did the jury vote?

VUKOJEVIC: As far as I understood, at the beginning the first round of voting was from the heart, without lobbying the members, while the second part happened completely differently, under pressure. Eh now, if the viewers were to pick the first four and then again choose the winner out of the 4, that is logical, because, as they said, there were some 2.5 million calls. But, for that jury to vote for the same four it had just voted on is senseless. My opinion and opinion of the many people there was that this was completely absurd.

NN: Maybe the second performances had an impact on the voting of the jury?

VUKOJEVIC: When you know you're among the first four, you can perform your song only better and more securely. That goes without saying. As an artist, I am disappointed I did not win, but some other part of me isn't because I did not have any media attention before the event itself, while almost all other songs were being played on radio stations and had acquired their audience. OK, all of this was known before, because there exists an order to decide which nationalities win and it had to be like that. But to me the only absurd thing is that the jury voted twice--differently--and for me to be demoted from the first to the third place even though the second performance was even better than the one I won with!

NN: So, politics have crawled deeply under the skin of music business as well? Is that the reason?

VUKOJEVIC: I'd love for the mixing of politics and music to be avoided somehow, because I as an artist an honestly say that I have nothing against the same nationality representing Bosnia every year if the song is good. Really, I have nothing against that, because the song ought to be cleansed of the existing traces of politics.

Serbian tabloid "Svet" March 7, 2003

To Europe based on national key?

If Bosnia is a protectorate of Paddy Ashdown, High Representative of the internationl community, during the BH Eurosong in Skenderija, the hall was a protectorate of Senad Hadzifejzovic, director of the project. Photojournalists were barred from doing their job so they were left with no pictures of the stage and from the green room. Hadzifejzovic wanted a TV spectacle and he got one. On the screens everything seemed flawless. One of the most spectacular parts of the show was the apperance by Dino Merlin. With his performance which lasted some 40 minutes, he astonished the audience by singing seven songs, among which was a number meant as a tribute to two Bosnian legends, the legendary singer of "Indexi" Davorin Popovic and the BH basketball player Mirza Delibasic.

For the first time in the history of Eurovision preselections in Bosnia televoting was supposed to be the way the winner was decided. Organizators days before the event with pride reproted that some of the profits were to be donated to children's hospitals in Sarajevo, Mostar and Banja Luka. When all eighteen performers finished, viewers were to being with voting by telephone. Just a few minutes later BH Telecom, Telekom RS and HPT Mostar all collapsed. This was caused, as reported later by the organizers, because the the three systems were not able to manage the simultaneous calls of 2.5 million viewers.

After the collapse of the telecoms the winner was decided by the standby jury. The most points were won by a girl from West Mostar, Mija Martina Barbaric. Dino Merlin heard about the collapse while he was doing his interval act and disappointed, he admitted to hating juries and with an angry voice said backstage: "It would have been better if the government collapsed than the televoting." At the very moment the telephone numbers were given out, jokingly mobile phones were being taken out of pockets.

Deen has also showed his belief that this year too the winner was chosen according to the national key: "Only an insane and completely uneducated man will not put the pieces together and conclude that everything was fixed and that the winner was decided based on nationality," told us Deen and added how the loss has not weakened him. Alongside the scandal with voting, the song "Ne brini" is very similar to the big hit "Sex Bomb" by Tom Jones and as if from a clear blue sky rumors started circling the capital city how the wining song may be disqualified the same way Hari Mata Hari's "Starac i more" was a few years ago.

We asked the representative from RTVSLO to also make a comment about the situation: "The song is what I would call a smart copy. Someone consciously made the effort to copy the Tom Jones song, but has made some changes, especially in the intro, to avoid the first three notes from being identical in order to prevent the song from being disqualified," told us Misa Molk. Even though there were reports that the internet site of the spectacle was to be continously updated with photographs from the rehearsal not one photo was published not even one day after the event took place.

Bosnian daily "Dnevni list" March 8, 2003

Mija Martina at Mayor of Mostar's office
Mostar has won

Yesterday in the offices of the Mayor of Mostar, mayor Hamfija Jahic and his co-Mayor Neven Tomic welcome the winner of BH Eurosong Mija Martina Barbaric as well as the other singer from Mostar, Minja Dugalic. Emphasizing great satisfaction with the placing of the young singers from Mostar, mayor Jahic said: "Mostar and a team from Mostar have won."

Namely, the wining song "Ne brini" and the great 7th place of Minja Dugalic have helped make Mostar the most successful city at the contest. Jahic wished much success to Mija Martina at Eurovision. "We're cheering for victory," he said. Mija Martina repeated that it is a great honor for her to be representing not only her city Mostar but entire Bosnia and Herzegovina. "I'm proud to be going to Riga and I will, with all my might, work hard to repeat the success from Skenderija and bring Eurovision to Bosnia."

Mija Martina's biggest dream, as she says, is Eurovision in Bosnia, but if she does not succeed in that, she will at least try to secure Bosnia's place in next year's edition of this European musical event.

Bosnian weekly "Slobodna Bosna" March 6 2003

BH Eurosong cost million marks (0.5 million euros)!

Not even five days after the event in Skenderija was over has the storm calmed down about the fact that the organization's idea of using televoting failed. The organizers blame BH Telecoms, Telekom RS and HPT Mostar and most of the performers, including Fudo, pardon Deen--who, btw was booed by the entire audience before his performance--blame the organizers and contend that the winner was known in advanced; the audience blames everyone. And the circle goes on.

What's most interesting is the fact that no one is questioning anyone about the fact that we heard not one good song. And why did this the organization of this event, which was there to chose the Bosnian representative at a contest no one cares about anymore, have to be so high? Namely, we have found out from reliable sources that the entire shebang in Skenderija cost about one million marks (half a million euros). And of course, all of that is up to FTV to pay, since PBS of course has no money and the colleagues from RTRS aren't rich either these days.

Of course, Senad Hadzifejzovic will reply to all this by saying how the people need to enjoy themselves and that this is the way to EUrope, but will forget how those same people survive mostly on 400 marks (200 euros) per month, out of which it gives 6 for TV fee. But, who cares about that. What's important is that the festival took place. The only sure thing is that the hosts Enes Beslagic and Ana Vilenica did their job extraordinarily. And that Deen, Nesko or some other Bosniak compatriot of theirs will win next year. Unless Paddy Ashdown (High Representative of International Community in BiH) says differently and makes sure that other peoples ought to have a represrnative next year as well. For example, Roma and Jews. And maybe that way we can send Muharem Serbezovski and Zelimir Altarac to Eurovision one day. Who knows...

Bosnian daily "Nezavisne" March 8, 2003

Mija Martina will represent BiH in Latvia
I will secure a place for Bosnia at next year's Eurovision

Bosnia and Herzegovina has no reason to be worried before Eurovision. That is what the title of the winning BH Eurosong 2003 read. The song "Ne brini" (Don't Worry) and the young singer Mija Martina Barbaric will represent Bosnia at the Eurovision Song Contest in the capital city of Latvia - Riga.

NN: How does the victor of BH Eurosong 2003 feel after the emotions have cooled down?

MIJA MARTINA: I feel excellent, because I have many reasons for it. I am the first. Something incredible happened. I did not expect this, even though there was a faint hope for me to make a miracle and win. It's clear that everyone who competed at BH Eurosong was interested in winning. So, we all wanted and dreamed of victory. What happened, happened. I have won and I am very happy to represent Bosnia in Riga.

NN: Do you believe that you have managed to win at such a spectacular event right at the beginning of your carrer and realize dreams of every performer?

MIJA MARTINA: I partly understand that I managed a great thing. However, I will be aware of the success completely if I manage to secure participation for Bosnia in next year's Eurovision.

NN: How did your family react when they heard you won?

MIJA MARTINA: I think tears from both sides said enough.

NN: Who is the most responsible for the success, if you can single anyone out?

MIJA MARTINA: It's hard to name anyone right now. The entire team who worked with me on the project is responsible for it. But, still the most responsible are Ines and Arjana who wrote the song. They decided at the end to let me sing it. And then it was all up to me, that is my perfomance. The team who was on stage with me also played a big role. Everything looked very good. But now is when the real, exhausting preparations start for the competition in Riga.

NN: What specifically are those preparations?

MIJA MARTINA: Firstly, we have to come up with good choreography. Styling is also very important. Also, we have to decide whether I will sing the song in English. For now we have made both version, which are equal, but we will see which one will sound better and which I will sing in Riga.

NN: Eurovision is very soon. Have preparations already started or have you had time to rest?

MIJA MARTINA: Preparations have started and are going on intensely. In general we know what everything is supposed to look like but there are still some details that need to be worked out. I really don't have time to rest.

NN: If someone had offered you to choose which place you wanted to received at BH Eurosong which would be satisfactory to you?

MIJA MARTINA: Surely I would be satisfied with a top 4 position. It would be important to get into the final and sing my song again. I have said before that I had a good song and I still say it's good and fares well with listeners.

NN: OK, so, if you were not hoping for the first place, who were you tipping for it then? Who was your secret favorite to win?

MIJA MARTINA: The singers who competed with me I did not consider to be too much of a competition. The jury could have chosen a few songs to win. All the songs that were sung were good. They will probably have a noticeable impact on the Bosnian music scene. As I said after the first part of the final in Skenderija I would choose Deen to go instead of me. He is the only one who showed that he had a great, fun song which could do well in Eurovision.

NN: After your win the public started with rumors that you paid for victory. Some have asked you how much money you have paid. How do you comment?

MIJA MARTINA: Journalists have to talk about something. I was not the only favorite to win, as was said in the beginning. There were Selma Bajrami, Deen, Amila Glamocak, Tinka Milinovic... We were all favorite in some way. However, not everything was up to the singer. The fact of the matter is that the song is that which is being chosen to represent Bosnia in Europe. That's why I don't think those kind of rumors have nothing to do with me.

NN: How did the other singers react when they heard you won?

MIJA MARTINA: The atmosphere was great. My coleagues were very fair. They were happy for me, we danced... We celebrated the victory together. After all, there was little need for any jealousy once the whole thing was finished. We relaxed nicely because the tense air that lasted during the competition was gone at the end.

NN: What do you expect from your performance in Riga?

MIJA MARTINA: Besides an honorable representation of Bosnia I expect a good time. I will have the chance to learn a lot because this is a different kind of concept of work than I am used to. When I was little I dreamed of winning at the Bosnian final for Eurovision. Now I dream of winning Eurovision itself. ANd if I don't win in Riga, I expect to be good enough to secure Bosnia's place next year.

NN: How will this premature fame affect your carreer?

MIJA MARTINA: I don't consider this too big of a fame. Fame is not something you accomplish in 5 minutes. I don't want to show up and use up my five minutes. I want it to last a lot longer, for years, because I am doing the kind of work I like very much and in which I would like to be for a long time.

NN: We saw you on stage. Who is Mija Martina in person?

MIJA MARTINA: She is an 18 year-old who has a lot of responsibilities besides the current one. I go to two high school, I work for a television station, where I host two shows. I have very little free time for going out and partying, but I am surely a hyperactive girl who can't imagine her life without work.

NN: Are you as successful in school as you are with your carreer?

MIJA MARTINA: School is good. For now everything is OK. I am a senior and soon will apply for college. I couldn't decide whether to get into two colleged. But everyone was asking me if I was normal, how I would manage to keep up with the pace... But I simply function better when I have more things to do. If I had no responsibilities I wouldn't be able to plan my time as I do now. This way I succeed in what I do.

NN: What will you be majoring in in college?

MIJA MARTINA: Most likely journalism, but I still have time to decide definitely.

NN: What will you be in the future, a journalist or a singer?

MIJA MARTINA: Singing comes first. But in addition to that I can always be a journalist and that way stay in the same arena. And I'm not running away from showbiz by being a journalist.

NN: Do you have an idol, whose steps you're following?

MIJA MARTINA: Most often I listen to pop music, most of the time foreign stuff. Many compare me with Nina Badric. I don't know why; but I like listening to her music. She is the only singer who works on her on terms. She does not conform to the audience strictly, which I value a lot. As for foreign singers, Anastasia comes first.

NN: How do you spend your free time, even though you don't have much. Do you have a hobby?

MIJA MARTINA: If I have any at all I usually spend it walking. I run around, spend some time with friends, a little bit, very little in the house, I dance, sing... I don't have any special hobby that's unrelated to what I do now. But surely my two hobbies are dancing and music.

NN: Soon the Croatian Dora will also take palce. Who would you like to see in Riga?

MIJA MARTINA: I think I will have the opportunity to personally go to Opatija and watch the competition. According to various stories it seems as though the winner may be Nina Badric or Giuliano. We will see if I will be spending time with a male or a female friend from Croatia in Riga.

NN: What are you plans for the near future as far as you carreer is concerned?

MIJA MARTINA: I have to finally publish my CD. I have stopped with it now. As far as I'm concerned it is almost finished. There's some technical things, the recording company, the cover that need to be worked out... We will submit the material to a few recording companies and then who promises the most will publish it. But I have stopped with that now, because I want to dedicate myself to Eurovision fully. "Melodije Mostara" are in April, where I will sing, but for that I don't need much preparation.U travnju su "Melodije Mostara", na kojima cu nastupiti, ali za koje ne moram vršiti velike pripreme.

Bosnian daily "Dnevni Avaz" March 6, 2003

Interview: Mija Martina Barbaric
It's wonderful that my song is being compared to Tom Jones' "Sex Bomb"

The results were absolutely not fixed, because the song would fare just as well on the Bosnian market even without winning BH Eurosong - "Sex Bomb" is a copy as well - The only bad thing about the organization of the event was the cold during the rehearsals and in the green room.

In spite of comments about the phenomenon known as the "national key," about the song which some say will embarass Bosnia at Eurovision and about whether the song is a copy of Tom Jones' "Sex Bomb," teen singer Mija Martina Barbaric will still go to Latvia.

This young and driven singer from Mostar will represent Bosnia at this year's most prestigious musical competition with the song "Ne brini."

First of all, how do you feel?
- Wonderfully, even though I am still confused, because the victory was a big shock to me. In some way, like all the other singers there, I came with a certain sense of hope of winning, but also with the desire to present my song to the best of my abilities at BH Eurosong. However, when they called out my name as the victor, I could not believe it. There were tears I couldn't hide.

How do you respond to the speculation about the national key and a fix?
- As this is the preselection for the Bosnian song for Eurovision that means that the artist is not the only important thing here, but the complete song. I can freely say that there was no fixing of the results. I think the song would fare well even without a win. They have also said the same things regarding the national key about Nino Pršeš and Maja Tatic. This is not true, because they have both represented us honorably as can be witnessed by the fact that we are again taking part at Eurovision this year.

What about "Ne brini" being a copy of "Sex Bomb"?
- If the hit "Sex Bomb" is compared with my song, then that's wonderful. Another thing, Tom Jones' song is a copy of some other song, I can't remember which right now. We cannot invent hot water. Professionals understand what I mean, because they do the same thing. As far as amateurs are concerned, it's positive if they compare my song to a song that was a hit. In any case, they can think whatever they want.

What do you think about the complete organization of this year's BH Eurosong?
- For the first time the competition was organized the way it should be. Everything was on a high level. I only can say one thing and that's the fact that it was very cold in Skenderija during rehearsals and it was even colder in the green room than on stage. Still, we did not think much about that, because adrenalin was most powerful of all. We all hung out, had fun, sang songs together. It was great.

You've changed your image. For Eurosong or...?
- I needed a change of image, not only for Eurosong.

Will there be any changes in the song and the performance in Latvia?
- That will be up to the team who will go to Latvia with me. I think there will be some minor changes, because what we have now is good, but can be better. After all, we're going to Europe, and there criteria are tougher. Of course, we will give our best to make it all as good as possible.

What about school?
- I'm supposed to be graduating this year, so last week I have talked to the school principal and come to an agreement with him as to what is going to happen. I will have to play around with it a bit, and the most likely outcome is that I will have to pass exams in all subjects. Getting ready for Eurovision will take up too much of my time.

What are your future plans?
- In addition to Eurosong, I have to prepare also for the festival "Melodije Mostara" where I will also take part. Still, my attention will be devoted entirely to Eurovision.

How long did you prepare for the BH Eurosong performance?
- About a month because I did the styling and the choreography. I worked with the dancers for about three weeks, first with the girls and then with the male dancer as well. I practiced singing with professor Ana Babic. All in all, we worked continuously. I am satisfied with the performance, and the audience affirmed it with their applause.

Bosnian daily "Dnevni Avaz" March 6, 2003

How they voted at BH Eurosong
Out of possible 200 points, the jury awarded 228 in total

What happened in the hall "Mirza Delibašic" in Skenderija on March 1st can best describe the situation in our country. As we have foreboded in "Dnevni Avaz" two editions ago, and being aware of the practice in the past couple of years, this year it seems that again the winner was chosen according to the national key, by which this year a Croat was supposed to win.

Long awaited and spectacularly promoted televoting, by which for the first time viewers were supposed to chose the winner, did not prove to be efficient. The excuse was the inability of the Telecoms to handle the load of calls, as is the usual case with holidays (March 1st was Bosnia's Independence Day). However, what else was to be expected, knowing that, as it is officially reported, that 2.5 million calls were received in the 15 minutes allotted. Practically, this means that all those who have televisions and telephones voted.

The jury was to give out 3, 5, 7 and 10 points to the 4 superfinalists (Igor, Amila, Mija Martina, Deen). When their points are added up, the eight members of the jury were in total to give out 200 points. But, with one look at the final results at the scoreboard, it can be concluded that the jury gave out 228 points, which means that the jurors did not vote according to the rules. In addition, there is nothing in the rules that says jurors are allowed to give the same number of points to more than one song, as it, it seems, happened. That way it is theoretically possible for all the superfinalists to receive the same number of points so that the winner would be impossible to get. And all this should be in accordance with Eurovision rules, in which you have never seen the possibility to give the same points to two or more songs. Taking into consideration also the fact that the televotes meant for Deen were rerouted to the personal number of Sead Salcinovic, doubts and speculations about the chosen winner become more vivid.

Considering that almost all the equipment was imported or borrowed from Slovenia, from sound to light, the dancers and the choreographer, there was also a jury member who was also from Slovenia.

Alma Eardžia, who was also in the "back-up" jury, day before BH Eurosong, spoke about the fact that a victory by Deen, the best performer according to many, would ensue a political scandal which says enough about the fairness of voting. And she, since she has taken part at Eurovision twice, is surely knowledgeable.

Also, many musical experts suspect that the winning song is a copy, but not, as many are contending, of Tom Jones' "Sex Bomb" but last year's Russian Eurovision entry.

If it is proven that yet again the people are being cheated, whose votes and opinion was not taken into consideration, it could be very possible for one situation to repeats itself. Namely, similar thing happened to Hari Varešanovic, who was replaced by the second-placed Dino Merlin.

Bosnian daily "Dnevni Avaz" March 6, 2003

Igor Vukojevic, third-placed at BH Eurosong
Puškar said if he knew about this, he would have never been a part of the scandal

Born Dobojan, who for some time has been living in Belgrade, Igor Vukojevic was one of the four contestants voted into the superfinal at this year's BH Eurosong. After he took the third place at the final scoreboard, he had this to say:

- I'm not angry. I'm just bemused by everything and I don't know why things like this happen. The jury votes for me, and then, that same jury changes their mind. More than 15 of the contestants came up to me and told me "listen, man, if you win, that is really OK." That was great recognition for me. At one point, a member of the crew, a Slovene, came up to me and told me that I have a great song and a confident performance. What happened later on- happened.

He is one of the first artists from Republika Srpska to show up at the Eurovision
preselection.
- That's true, I was in Sarajevo in 1999 and I wished it. The openness the organization had toward me can only be praised. I am not a nationalist and I want nothing to do with it. But, if we have some kind of a schedule depending on the national key, then it seems next year the winner should be Bosniak. Is there any sense for me to show up then? Nino went and then Maja and now a representative of the Bosnian Croats. All this is weird. The jurors were later approaching me and with their heads low said to me that televoting was what was influencing the final result, even though the votes from televoting were not to be taken into consideration due to system failure.

The people from the band saw when Nermin Puškar (one of the jurors) approached Igor and told him: "Sorry man, if I knew about this, I would have never taken part in this scandal."

Igor has in the last few days, even though the deadline passed, received an invitation to appear at the festival "Melodije Mostara." Then follows participation at this summer's Budva festival in Montenegro and then recording of the new CD which will feature, in addition to 9 new songs, also the songs from BH Eurosong and these two festivals.

Igor has also switched recording companies, so that his new material will be handled by "Musical Star Production" from Belgrade instead of "City Records" with whose services Igor was no longer satisfied.

Bosnian daily "Nezavisne" March 2, 2003

Mija Martina to represent BiH at the Eurovision Song Contest in Latvia
Spectacle overshadowed by televoting crash

Young singer Mija Martina will sing for Bosnia at the yearly song competition, held this year in Riga, Latvia. The song she will sing is called "Ne brini" (Don't Worry). That was the wish of the jury, which was standing by and voted as the three telephone operators, BH Telecom, Telekom RS and HPT Mostar buckled.

BH Telecom reports an investigation into the problem is ongoing. The results will be made public on Tuesday, March 4.

As for the donation, which was to be a partion of the profits, Telecom says that they will secure the donaton for the Pediatric clinic Koševo by drawing from other sources.

"We gave to the viewers what we promised--a spectacle. Dino Mustafic directed it perfectly, every shot was excellently done. The hosts were great, the show, for the people in the audience and the viewers by Dino Merlin was spectacular," reports Senad Hadžifejzovic, director of the projest.

Three superfinalists of BH Eerosong 2003, out of 18 performers, were a step away from victory - Deen with "Taxi" got 58, Igor and "Srce ne pita" 56, and Amila Glamocak with the song "Mac sa oštrice dvije.

Hadžifejzovic said all of the songs were good, but...

"I'm sorry this has all been now overshadowed, because of the televoting failure, and people couldn't vote by phone. Now everyone talks about it and how Mija Martina's victory was fixed. That feels horrible, because all of what we did has been put aside," added Hadžifejzovic.

He confirmed that the money, which the three Telecoms were supposed to get from the call revenue will be donated to the children's leukemia centers.

"The money will be deposited into their accounts. How much money is in question, I don't know. For that, you will have to get in touch with the people from BH Telecom, but this promise I have received from the Director of BH Telecome Amer Spahic", said Hadžifejzovic.

One of the most spectacular parts of the evening was the appearance by a special guest, the respected and popular bh. artist - Dino Merlin. His mini-show lasted 40 minutes, where he astounded the audience by singing seven songs, among which was a song dedicated to the legendary Davorin Popovicu and the bh. basketball player Mirza Delibašic, after whom the hall inside the Skenderija complex was named.

What has also gotten the attention of the viewers was the performance by the host couple - Enes Bešlagic and Ana Vilenica, with their interesting and comic rundown of all the Bosnian Eurovision song until now.

Bosnian daily "Nezavisne" February 28, 2003

Interview: Mladen Matovic, composer
Behind the curtain of "A Moment"

Mladen Matovic was born in 1980 in Banja Luka where he completed the musical elementary and high schools. He then enrolled into the University of Banja Luka's Academy of Arts, his concentration being Musical Arts and where he was the best student of senior class with the average grade of 10 (out of 10)! He's a frequent entrant of many festivals in Bosnia and Herzegovina, among others the Banja Luka Festival in 1997 and 2000, and he also took part as the songwriter of "Kapije bola" (Gates Of Pain) in last year's Bosnian Eurovision preselection. Additionally, he is an active participant in the cultural and public life of Banja Luka, namely he cooperates with the choir "Banjalucanke," male octate "Lipa" as well as the reknowned choir ensambles "Jedinstvo" and the University Choir of Banja Luka, where he is an assistant conductor.

At this year's BH Eurosong he is represented with the song "Trenutak" (A Moment), for which he wrote the music and the lyrics (arrangment: Lado Leš), and which will be sung by Nataša Railic.

Nezavisne: Last year you were the songwriter of the composition "Kapije bola" which a lot of people favorized. How important was this song and its popularity to your career?

Mladen Matovic: The song did as well as it id, but I am glad the Federation (of Bosnia and Herzegovina) and Croatia got to hear it. It was a hit of the week a few times on two radio stations in Banja Luka, and it was featured on top lists in Novi Sad (Serbia) for five months. All in all, I'm very satisfied.

Nezavisne: What kind of success do you expect from "Trenutak"?

Mladen Matovic: Firstly, let me emphasize that this is the only song accepted from Banja Luka, and from Republika Srpska there is only us and Igor Vukojevic from Doboj, so if only because of that, it made me proud. And of course it would be even better if the song would place high.

Nezavisne: Will the placing depend more on the performance of Nataša, even thought it is all a matter of a group game?

Mladen Matovic: I am not at all worried about Natasa's performance, because the girl is really talented. I won't even address her vocal abilities because bad words cannot exist here. In any case, everyone will hear and see and her time is just coming.

Nezavisne: And your time? What, honestly, are you expecting from this song?

Mladen Matovic: The first place, ha ha ha. No, I don't expect anything, except for it to be represented the best way possible and that it is good, the rest is not important.

Nezavisne: Most people when they listen to songs don't think of people who made them. How successful is to be behind the curtain?

Mladen Matovic: Hmmm, successful? I don't know, that's why I am behind the curtain (laugh).

Nezavisne: In what moment did "Trenutak" come about?

Mladen Matovic: Well, just in a moment. "A Moment" of a moment! basically the time of inspiration doesn't exist, you either have it or not.

Nezavisne: How would you describe "Trenutak"?

Mladen Matovic: This is a really unusual song because it starts out as a ballad and then the chorus is a lot more upbeat. What's important is that when it comes to this song, it is easily caught on the first listen.

Bosnian daily "Dnevni Avaz" February 20, 2003

Ahead of BH Eurosong
Has Mija Martina already won?

Reportedly, according to the national key [idea that all Bosnian functions are to be divided equally among its three peoples), this year's winner, following Pršeš (Bosniak) and Tatic (Bosnian Serb), would have to be a Croat.

As with any other event in Bosnia with a competition angle and which has to be in all cases transparent as such, the time is coming when we begin to speculate about possible manipulations and paid victories. This year, when for the first time the winner will be decided through use of telephone voting, so, according to the will of the viewers - this year is no different.

With a presupposition that this alleged national key will be followed as it is ever year the speculations have presented two young songstresses from Herzegovina. Namely, Mija Martina Barbaric and Ljiljana Galic Lily took part in the jury preselection period with the conviction that only one of them would be able to appear on stage in Skenderija on March 1. With that, stories started circling around in which Mija Martina's parents allegedly paid 25.000KM (~€13.000) to the committee so that Mija would be left without competition.

The puzzle was finished after it was announce that Mija Martina was one of the 18 chosen for BH Eurosong, while Lily was rejected. About the alleged paying out of the committee Mija Martina says: "The worst is that something always has to be denied. What's important for Eurosong is the song, not the performer. My song went through, I can't speak for others. Moreover I am really sorry, as Lily is a dear colleague of mine, we often go out together. We don't see each other as competition. I think that everone has the right to take part as well as the chance to win the contest. What's important to me is to sing my three minutes well and that the public accepts the song, because after all it is they that my career and success depend on."

Wshiung to hear the other side of the story as well we contacted Lily Galic, who did not hide tears of disappointment during last year's BH Eurosong voting. "I'm not disappointed about not taking part at this year's BH Eurosong. About the reports that Mija's parents paid of the committee - I can only say that that's nonsense. I think Mija is very ambitious and good in what she does and that that's the reason she was chosen into the 18 competitors. Anyway, I am giving my vote to her and Fuad Backovic [Deen]" - says Lily.

Bosnian daily "Dnevni Avaz" February 14, 2003

Haris Dedic, in charge of the band "IF" from Tuzla
I have kept the song for four years

Haris Dedic, the man in charge of the band "IF" that's getting more and more airplay has kept the song Samo mene ljubi ti for four years in a safe. The song easily made it into the Bosnian preselection for Eurovision.

He admits that his wife Sanela helped him with the song. "The song is great and it should not surprise anyone if it wins the ticket to Eurovision" - says Dedic. Upon entering the Bosnian preselection the band "IF" has worked extensively even though three weeks are left until the event. The band members Merima Nurkovic, Lejla Polic and Azra Music and their boss Dedic have literally been closed off in a room for half a month already where they are working hard on the choreography. Dedic, who is the lyricist as well as the composer of the song says that this popular band from Tuzla is preparing a big surprise for the viewers.

"I don't want to talk about it really, because, then, of course, it would no longer be surprise" - says Dedic. For many it will come as a surprise the fact that the arrangement for the song was done by Dragianni from "Zabranjeno pušenje" whose band is also appearing at the same competition. "I don't think I will be too subjective if I say that the song I have written can respectfully represent Bosnia and Herzegovina. My motto is "may the best win" whoever he/she may be" - adds Dedic.

Bosnian magazine "Miss Una" February 13, 2003

Hana Jušic and BH Eurosong 2003
"Love Does Not Discriminate (for Europe)"

After noticeable debutant succeses, when some music industry experts forecast a sharp rise to the top, Hana Jušic, the young singer from Bihac disappeared from the public eye. She took to studying and today she is a third year student at the College of Pedagogy at the Bihac University.

In the meantime, Hana rarely performed on stage in the last three years so she cooked up a very nice surprise to her fans with her fiery performance at last summer's first Miss Una pegeant.

That appearance has definitely helped her decide to make a comeback - through a huge door. She wrote the words and music to the song "Ljubav ne bira" (Love Does Not Discriminate). Very experienced musical mogul Samir Pašalic saw the quality in the song and with pleasure accepted the offer to arrange it.

The song was sent to BH Eurosong 2003. The expert jury, like Samir, recognized the quality and so Hana will now appear in Skenderija on March 1st and sing her song among 18 in total competing for a place in Eurovision 2003.

Hana Jušic is going to the final night of the Bosnian final as the only singer from the Una-Sana canton. Are you nervous?
- "No. I feel like this is my big chance and I will not miss it. I have sung in Sarajevo before. I have many friends there and I like the city on Miljacka [Sarajevo river] a lot. That's another motive for me to give my all at BH Eurosong" - says sweet Hana. At the Bihac University's College of Pedagogy she majors in English Language and Literature. She works as a volunteer at the children's place POGLED where she teaches the kids English and Italian and sings and plays the guitar.

Hana made her debut in 1999 at the Bihac Festival with the song "Ja nisam žena za tebe" and earned the third place. She also took part in the same festival in 2000 with the song "S godinama." And then she had to solve a dilemma: to take on school or music. Hana chose school and now she feels like the moment has come for her to start budiling her musical career.

Bosnian magazine "Slobodna Bosna" February 13, 2003

"Zabranjeno pušenje" in the Bosnian preselection for Eurovision
"Man, the war cometh! We must make an aggregate!"

On Saturday, Mar

ch 1st in the KSC Skenderija, more precisely, in the hall Mirza Delibašic the musical event to choose the Bosnian representative at Eurovision 2003 in Riga will take place. Directing the event will be the job of Dino Mustafic while it will be hosted by Ana Vilenica, Enis Bešlagic and Ognjen Blagojevic. It must be noted that thus far that the biggest attention grabbers this year are the rock band "Zabranjeno pušenje" who surprised even the organizer with their participation.

They sent their new song Agregat (Aggregate)* because of which they almost caused a political scandal. Namely, paraphrasing the song lyrics, the peaceful growing up of adolescent Sarajevans in the street Fuad Midžic is interrupted by non-men who come to occupy the surrounding hills which leads the main character in the song to yell out: "Man, the war cometh! We must make an aggregate!" Now, why exactly "Zabranjeno pušenje" would be the subject of a political scandal can be answered only by Serb members of the preselection committee whose demanding that the song be rejected was, of course, respectfully dismissed.

*Aggregate - a make-shift power source usually made using a car battery and some sort of a wheel mechanism, very popular in war Sarajevo and Bosnia due to frequent and long power outages

Bosnian newspaper "Nezavisne novine" February 13, 2003

Nataša Railic, the only one from Banja Luka at BH Eurosong 2003
First step toward success

College of Philosophy student Nataša Railic is the only Banja Luka lady who will be

present at the preselection for Bosnia song of Europe. She is young and talented and half her life, that is ten years, she has filled with musical experience. Beginning with the famous Banja Luka children's choir "Vrapcici," the school choir and the "Ðurdevdan festival" to the well-known high-school choir "Banjalucanke" she chooses music and singing as one of the most important pastimes of her life.

With the song "Trenutak," written by Mladen Matovic, Nataša will be featured in BH Eurosong on March 1st and says:
"This is an emotional, but also an unusual song in two parts. The first part starts as a ballad, and the second is a lot faster, more energetic... It's very "singable," and the theme is an unhappy love so everyone can find themselves."

Four years ago Nataša became a member of the choir "Banjalucanke" and started her cooperation with composer Mladen Matovic who is known, among others things, for the song "Kapije bola" sung by Sladana Mandic from last year's Eurovision preselection.

"I have thought about presenting myself at BH Eurosong before as well, but I have not been able to until now. However, honestly, I was not all that interested before. I talked about it with Aleksandra, the girl who manages "Banjalucanke," as I sing most of the choir colo parts and simply we came to the conclusion that I ought to song at some festivals, it wasn't important which one. So, we sent in a song to BH Eurosong and luckily, we made it," says Natasa.

Being asked what she expects from "BiH Eurosong," she replied modestly that above all it's important for her to show up, but that she, after all, believes in herself.

"I don't expect victory as the competition is really strong," explains Nataša and adds that the possibility still exists, as she is the only performer from Banja Luka, and from Republika Srpska there is only her and Igor Vukojevic from Doboj.

"I don't know, I just wanted to show up and present my self in the best of ways," says Natasa.

To live off music used to be very hard, but today performers of any musical genre are in god positions and always with perfect preconditions for success. As far as performaces after BH Eurosong, Nataša says that she can only consider "nice jobs," for example fashion shows, beauty peagents and similar events, "and if the chance presents itself for something else - why not?"

On one side modesty, on the other, exists a seedling of ambition which is the elementary step toward success. This talented Banja Luka girl is going to think seriously about her first album, but only after she uses BH Eurosong as her jump-off board.

Bosnian magazin "Max" January 18 2003

Interview with Senad Hadžifejzovic, head of the cultural and arts program at PBS BiH, in charge of the Bosnian selection for Eurovision
Ljiljana Galic Lily's song has not made it through the jury criteria

Bosnia and Herzegovina partakes in Eurovision almost every year, but until now it has not achieved any special results, apart from the fourth (?) place Dino Merlin came in Jerusalem in 1999. Irregardless of that, when the organization of Eurovision is concerned, we act as if we're among the favorites every year. The same story is repeated every time: the euphoria of Bosnian performers, media assumptions from the domestic artists that the selection for Eurovision is fixed and similar. And we need not even mention the problems around money. According to reliable sources, for last year's preselection, the organizer, PBS BiH, is still in debt by 40,000 marks (cca. 20,000 euros).

The song "Na jastuku za dvoje" of Maja Tatic, as it is known, 15 days before the preselection was printed with bold letters onto the official CD cover. Many used this as the main evidence to support claims of irregularities concerning the choosing of the best song.

The same story would probably be repeated here as well were it not for the fact that this year's man in charge is no less than the almost forgotten face of the News and the former popular editor of the information division of former TVBiH Senad Hadžifejzovic. . . .

Even though primarily a political journalist, Senad, as he says, is managing well the role of the head of cultural and arts program division of PBSBiH and the organizer of Eurovision preselection. He worked on the project once before, in 1999 when the TV tried to resurrect one of the oldest festivals in Bosnia - Vas slager sezone. This time, after a few years of studio productions, the event will again take place in Skenderija on March 1st - Bosnia and Herzegovina's Independence Day. . . .

"What I am most proud of is the fact that we have managed to secure the money on time. It is deposited into a special account used only for the purposes of the selection. All in all, we have about 150,000 marks (cca. 70,000 euros) to work with. The general sponsor of the event is Nivea. We will be in Skenderija 7 days before the actual event itself where we will prepare the set and everything else needed so we're not doing it all at the last moment, as was the case in 1999. We have not chosen the hosts yet, and as I am the author of the scenario, I will try to avoid the stereotype - well-dressed, motionless host and hostess. I will try to find the people who will be able to make a contact with the audience, move around the stage, thus I believe that most probably a couple of actors will be employed to do the job."

For the first time in the history of Bosnian finals, the winner will be chosen with the help of televoting where viewers of the live broadcast will have the chance to vote for the song they like the best. PBS BiH will, a few days before the event, prepare a show where all the songs and performers will be presented, so the audience will be aware of what they are being offered. The organizers are also thinking of publishing a CD with all the songs in the competition and distributing the same to local radio stations, which could then make their own forecasts of the winner and the event itself.

"I know the stories about irregularities surrounding previous Eurovision selections. This year I have also read some stories that the winner will have to be of the Croatian nationality, and that everyone is picking Lily to be the one, and her song did not even pass the jury selection process. This, of course, does not mean that Lily will necessarily not take part in the event. There's a chance for her if someone sends us a song that she will be able to sing. My name would not be attached to any kind of fixes. I care about having the winner be someone who was liked by the jury and later who will be liked and picked by the people. What it's important is for the people to like the song, to cheer for their representative, even if the song is not the best according to experts.

75 songs arrived to the preselection process and 16 songs will be present in Skenderija on March 1st. The jury has chosen seven songs, which Senad describes as brilliant, while six others are questionable. Three other places are to be filled by songs written by popular Bosnian musicians per request of organizers. Those songs will also have to pass the criteria set by the selection jury. I ncase there are more than three of such songs received, the six questionable songs will be eliminated one by one. . . .

"We have tried to divide the performers into three categories: the first represents established names of our country. The second category includes new artists but who are affirmed musicians whose career is on the climb. The last category represents those who have not had the chance to show what and how much they know and what their ability is as far as the conact with the audience is concenred.

This year, as usual, the artists will be able to show off their vocal abilities by singing live, but the news is that some of the rhythm sections will be played on backing tracks, while an orchestra consisting of 44 musicians will also give support to the performers.

Even though Hadžifejzovic, out of professional reasons, was not able to tell us who the chosen performers are (those among the 7), we have found out, from reliable sources that Zabranjeno pušenje (huge Bosnian rock group, released an amazing album last year) will be present with the song entitled "Agregat," which is said not to stand out from their usual style of music.

__________________________________

Others rumored to be taking part in the final:
Alma Cardžic, Amila Glamocak, Erato (www.erato-bh.com), Deen, Edin Pašic.

(articles 2003)
× Deen: People haven't the right to vote
× Igor: The voting was absurd
× Misa Molk: song is smart copy
× Mija Martina meets Mostar Mayor
× 0.5 million euros for BH Eurosong
× Mija Martina: I dream of winning ESC
× Interview with Mija Martina
× Out of 200 points, jury gave 228!
× Igor: I'm not angry
× Mija wins, telecoms lose
× Interview: composer Mladen Matovic
× Has Mija Martina already won?
× "IF"'s song can represent Bosnia well
× Hana Jušic & BH Eurosong 2003
× "Pušenje" sings of war times
× Nataša Railic's step to success
× Organizer talks details