Slovenia: Ana Soklič will sing "Amen" at Eurovision 2021
Slovenia will be represented by Ana Soklič at Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Amen". Listen to the song here
Ana Soklič won last year's Slovenian selection EMA 2020, with the song "Voda" however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was cancelled and the song never made it to Rotterdam. During a special show that Slovenia hosted, it was confirmed that Ana will represent the nation in Rotterdam 2021 instead.
After receiving a record of 191 submissions, the Slovenian broadcaster RTVSLO shortlisted the songs to the three best ones which would have been the ones Ana should have perform in an EMA song selection. The idea was scrapped and the song has instead been internally chosen and presented tonight.
RTVSLO held a special show hosted by Lea Sirk, who represented Slovenia in 2018 with "Hvala, ne!" and Nejc Šmit to celebrate 60 years at Eurovision. During the show the hosts took us through the history of the most resounding Slovenian and Yugoslav performances but most importantly, revealing the Slovenia 2021 song for Eurovision.
Ana Soklič will represent the Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Amen":
Amen
Ana had stated that she is very happy with "Amen" and took opportunity of the new implemented rules.
– "Amen" is about love because love matters the most, and the message of the song is very universal. I never speak about my personal interpretation of a song because I prefer people to make their own vision of it.
My favorite part of this track is when the big choir enters… it’s like the heavens opening!
The song was composed in collaboration with the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Pirnat, who also wrote the music alongside Ana and Bojan Simončič.
Karin Zemljič will join Ana Soklič on stage as her backing vocalist for "Amen". Karin Zemljič isn’t new to the Eurovision family as she accompanied Maraaya at Eurovision 2015 with "Here For You". Karin came back a year later by providing some backing vocals for ManuElla and her Eurovision entry "Blue and Red".
Ana Soklič
Ana Soklič started her music career early; as a young person, she studied with Alenka Dernač Bunta, a solo opera teacher, the acclaimed Slovenian musician Darja Švajger (two-time Slovenian representative at the Eurovision Song Contest) and singing coach Nataša Nahtigal.
In 2018, Ana undertook further vocal training with Dileesa Archer (a professional in soul, gospel, R&B) in the United States. At 18, she set foot on her path as a songwriter as well. As a songwriter, she wants to take people to an unexpected place. For Ana, music is a way of life.
Ana competed twice at EMA, the Slovenian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, and 3 times at the Slovenian Song Festival, where, in 2019, she won 2 jury awards for best interpretation and best song overall. She often performs her songs with symphony orchestras at festivals and on television, including the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and often sings with smaller ensembles, as well. These are her favourite concerts because she feels the connection with the audience is at its most genuine and intimate.
Slovenia in Eurovision Song Contest
Slovenia had its debut in Eurovision Song Contest 1993, and since then participated 25 times in Eurovision. They have never won the contest, and the best result for Slovenia is two 7th places in 1995 and 2001.
Since the introduction of Semi-finals in 2004, Slovenia only managed to qualify for the Grand Final 6 times out of 16.
