Croatia

=Croatia=

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Croatia will be represented by a young duo, Igor Cukrov and Andrea Šušnjara. They both have had tremendous success in individual contests over the past few years and in this year's Eurovision Singing Contest Igor Cukrov (24) and Andrea Šušnjara (21) are ready to sing together and represent Croatia with pride. The song that will be sung is called "Lijepa Tena." There is a music video made that is available to watch on YouTube. They are very impressive singers with so much talent and potential in reaching the top of their competition.======

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Igor Cukrov is a little more talented being able to sing Pop, Rock and Bel Canto, which means “beautiful singing” in English. Igor is also able to play many instruments such as the guitar, piano, trumpet and clarinet. He is one of the best young talent singers in Croatia. Andrea Šušnjara made her music debut recently in 2004 at the Dora with the song "Noah" and finished in second place. In 2005 she made an aria and an introduction song for the first Croatian soap opera called, "Villa Maria," and appeared in albums for foreign musicians. Andrea mainly focuses on singing Folk and Pop music.======

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These two very young artists are a group to watch out for as the surprise team in the contest. As I said Croatia has impressed people so far in the contest advancing to the next round and so far beating the odds. Hopefully they will move onto the finals and shock the World.======


 * Song Information**

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The song that Igor Cukrov and Andrea Šušnjara are going to perform is titled Lijepa Tena, which means “Beautiful Tena”. It was composed by Tonči Huljić, and written by Vjekoslava Huljić in Croatian. Igor’s voice varies in pitches which gives the song a richer sound. The song itself is very slow paced as if it has spanish influences. The rhythm matched up with the soothing sounds of the guitar paired with sounds of wind instruments, drums and bells creates a harmonious sound that is very different then popular music heard in the United States today.======

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There are various opinions about this song and its success in the contest. It seems as though the people who reviewed the song that are not from Croatia do not like the song, while the people who are from Croatia do. They do not understand or know the music style that is performed in Croatia and therefore hope it does not win. The people from Croatia who reviewed the song said that it was a hit and is very similar to popular music that is performed in Croatia and therefore has a shot at winning first place in the competition.======

media type="youtube" key="eiXiKRtjJWI" height="295" width="480" [|Song Lyrics] http://www.youtube.com/watchv=eiXiKRtjJWI&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eeurovision%2Etv%2Fevent%2Fartistdetail%3Fsong%3D24704%26event%3D1481&feature=player_embedded https://blackboard.uoregon.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_id=_2_1&url=%2fwebapps%2fblackboard%2fexecute%2flauncher%3ftype%3dCourse%26id%3d_267888_1%26url%3d

= = The Republic of Croatia - "Republika, Hrvatska"
 * Narrative of The Entry**

//Official Languag //e - Croatian
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- Founded First half of 7th century - Medieval duchy - March 4, 852 - Recognized by the Pope - May 21, 879 - Elevated to kingdom- 925 - Union with Hungary - 1102 - Joined Habsburg Empire - January 1, 1527 - Independence from Austria & Hungary, and Joined Yugoslavia - October 29, 1918 - Declared independence on December 1, 1918
 * Establishment**__

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Croatia, officially "The Republic of Croatia" (Republika, Hrvatska) is a Central European country at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, and the Balkans Sea. The capital and largest city, is Zagreb. Croatia borders Bosnia, and Herzegovina to the East, Serbia to the north-east, Montenegro to the south-east, Slovenia and Hungary to the North. With the southern and western flanks bordering the Adriatic Sea.======

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It entered a personal union with Hungary in 1102. In 1526, the Croatian Parliament elected Ferdinand from the House of Habsburg to the Croatian throne. In 1918 Croatia declared independence from Austria-Hungary and joined the Kingdom of Yugoslavia as co-founder. During World War II, Nazis occupied Croatian territory and created the Independent State of Croatia. After the war Croatia became a founding member of Second Yugoslavia. On June 25, 1991 Croatia declared independence and became sovereign state.======

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Croatia is a member of the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, NATO, the World Trade Organization, the Council of Europe, CEFTA, and is a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2008-09 term. Additionally, Croatia is also a founding member of the Union for the Mediterranean upon its establishment in 2008.======

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Croatian crossroad culture is the end result of a fourteen century-long history, which has seen many major developments. The country includes seven World Heritage sites, and eight national parks. Croatia is also the host of a many historical figures, three Nobel prize winners, and many more inventors. This has given the country intricate artistic, literary and musical traditions. However Croatia has what has been stated as a ludicrous, and inconsistent Eurovision approach. One year they may enter an obscure pop star, the next a rapping elder. Or as in former years, a described "space-case amateur" from the Croatian Fame Academy. She was a so called "pretty girl" whose microphone was turned down so low that her vocals may well have been non existent.======

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This years act exhibits a mid-paced groove, that may show to be engulfed by other Eurovision entries. it is stated that the main hope that Igor Cukrov, and Andrea njara have of getting past the Eurovision semi-final stage for Croatia, is to make maximum use of their talents and abilities.======

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Croatia has a very strong history in the Eurovision contest. They have been competing since 1993 for a total of sixteen times. Croatia is currently holds the number one spot in the semi-finals. They have never won first place before but have held the fourth place position a total of 4 times in its history. Croatia has a longer history with Eurovision competing within Yugoslavia. They did very well having 13 out of 26 entries being Croatian. Croatia has made a total of 16 appearances on the Eurovison Song Contest. The highest position being 4th place, in 1996 and 1999, and the lowest being 16th place, in 2007. The Croatian contests are determined at a pop music festival called Dora. This festival is put on yearly by the Hrvatska radiotelevizija, also known as the HRT.======

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Between the years of 1961-1991 Croatia had been represented by Yugoslavia because it was not it's own independent nation. Croatia was the most successful republic of Yugoslavia with the 13 out of 26 Yugoslavian entries being Croatian. However in 1992 when Croatia wanted to compete in Eurovision on its own it was denied beause they were not part of European Brodcast Union. Before a country can compete in Eurovision they must be a member of of the EBU. Later in 1993 Croatia competed in Eurovision as an independent nation for the first time. Croatia is one of the few countries that has not missed a Eurovision contest since 1993.======

There is said be some politcal and national ties in points given and received between nations. Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia, FYR Macedonia, and Malta are all in the top five countries that have given and received the most points to and from Croatia. There seems to be a history of certain countries having ties with other within the Eurovision contest. Croatia seems to be no differerent.