We respect any witch who can cast a spell over Madrid — a city with one of the most passionate Eurovision communities around. And we most especially respect any singer who embodies a witch on stage in Madrid — and then issues a press release about it. Talk about “surrendering to the light” like her titular character “Veronika”!
So it goes for Raiven, Slovenia’s Eurovision 2024 singer, who has dropped her thoughts on the magic of the Eurovision PrePartyES 2024. Her words convey the power of the experience and her gratitude to have the chance to unleash “Veronika” onto the world with her gorgeous mezzo-soprano voice.
We’re loving her love so much that we’re re-publishing the press release in full below.
Raiven describes Madrid PrePartyES 2024 (Press Release)
In the vibrant atmosphere of Madrid’s La Riviera club, the air thrummed with the voices of over two thousand Eurovision enthusiasts. United in anticipation, they experienced the electrifying live debut of Raiven’s Eurovision entry, ‘Jaz sem. Ti si. Veronika.’
The words resonated, a shared moment of musical communion, as fans and artist connected in a unique, unforgettable encounter. Raiven brought together an international audience, who accompanied her performance with singing in Slovene and fierce applause.
“Reflecting on an unparalleled moment in my career, the performance was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had. For the first time, I felt the overwhelming sensation of a crowd singing my song back to me. It was profoundly moving and inspiring to hear fans, many of whom don’t speak a word of Slovenian, passionately singing ‘Veronika.’ This, to me, was the essence of music’s universal language,” shared the Slovenian Eurovision representative.
Raiven’s performance of ‘Veronika’ was elevated by a mesmerizing dance sequence, brought to life by the talented dancer Mateja Železnik. Alongside the ballet ensemble from the Slovene National Opera and Ballet Ljubljana, she will also be a part of a dynamic expression of movement on the Eurovision stage.
After the pre-party concert the Eurovision fever continued to spread in the club. ‘Veronika’ lingered in the air, hummed and sung by attendees. Raiven, joining in from the balcony of La Riviera club, shared this moment of unity, further endearing herself to the Eurovision community. “It was a delightful surprise to see fans engage with my other works, like ‘Sijaj’ beyond the Eurovision sphere. Their appreciation for my music, beyond Eurovision, was incredibly touching,” Raiven reminisced.
The Madrid event, a showcase for 27 Eurovision contestants this year, served as a precursor to the main event in May. Welcomed by a throng of fans and media on the red carpet, Raiven’s presence was eagerly anticipated. Her engagement with the audience extended to addressing Spanish viewers in their native language on national television. The evening was imbued with a special Slovenian flair, co-hosted by Bojan Cvjetićanin, Joker Out’s lead singer and co-writer of ‘Veronika,’ marking a memorable first chapter of Eurovision festivities in Spain.
Describing the experience in a single word, Raiven chose “euphoria.” Despite the exhaustion, she found the experience incredibly rewarding, cherishing the opportunity to connect with fellow artists. “I’m not usually one to seek out social interactions, but the prospect of continuing these new friendships excites me,” she added.
As Raiven’s pre-Eurovision journey leads her to Barcelona, London, Amsterdam, and Stockholm, she anticipates celebrating a decade in music with a major concert at Cankarjev dom on April 21st. This event promises to be a fusion of electropop and opera, showcasing her musical evolution. Following the release of her EP ‘Sirene, pt. 1‘ in February, Raiven explores personal and iconic narratives through music, with ‘Veronika’ standing out as a societal reflection and a highlight of her career, amassing significant attention on platforms like YouTube and Spotify.
