Special - Interview with Extra Nena | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

Your song is still very popular.

Ha, ha! Our political and economic situation was not good for a victory then. It was a bad time for us.

It was very difficult wasn’t it?  Terry Wogan, the British commentator, said “This is the song from Yugoslavia and it should get some sympathy votes” because there was a war at the time. So how did that affect your work at the time?

It was very difficult for me but I survived because sometimes I’m in my academy of art and culture and sometimes I’m singing my lovely songs with the audience, so I survived. I’m an assistant of the academy of culture and arts – I teach the subject culture and media, management of culture and Eurovision arts.

So would you do Eurovision again?

A younger generation is coming, so…

But this year, some of them were older than ever before!

Yes, I know, but in my country, [...] it’s different.

But you still look very young!

OK, I’m still young of course but maybe things will change.

But the experienced have proved.

Yes, good voice, experience, good song – it’s the best for Eurovision

What do you think makes a good winner?

A good song, voice and style.

What were the feelings here when Serbia didn’t enter the Contest – from 1993 to 2004?

People were more into politics than culture in those years. Now everyone is standing back to do some business and the culture and this is great. I hope that the time when culture and music were not first place are behind us because music is a magical and cosmical thing. It’s a world map of the world.

So what did it mean to Serbia to win the Eurovision?

For me personally, it means a lot as music is my life. And also, it means a lot to Marija as it’s her career. For the country, really, really a lot as it will get to host next year’s Eurovision as it’s a pan-European thing, a chance to show its culture and to be equal with the rest of the world and maybe even a bit superior because of our victory.

Great, yes, it will be great, we look forward to next year. So, is the country ready to host it?

I hope so! You need to ask our President and our Minister of Culture.

Maybe you’ll present it. They haven’t decided who!

No, no, no.

So how did you come to represent Yugoslavia in 1992?

I had the best song!

Obviously! Was there a national final?

Yes, 20 songs.

And you looked great in that dress. Who made the dress?

You’re a man. Another man decided about that.

Have you watched the show and your performance since?

On video, the competition? Yes, there’s always the possibility to improve.

Yes, that’s art, isn’t it? If only I did this or this! So how many albums have you done and is there a greatest hits?

This one is the ninth one.

When did you release your first one?

First, with folk music, you know? My first album was with ethnic music. It’s actually a parody of folk music.

Oh, really? So, before Eurovision?

Yes, 1986.

What are your personal music tastes?

I love blues/jazz.

Who in particular?

Diana Krall and Nina Simone and Frank Sinatra and many, many artists.

And from this year’s Eurovision, which songs did you like?

This year? The UK – it looks like a great commercial for an airline!

The UK? Do you like that song?

Yes, why not? I like open, cheerful songs like the songs of Céline Dion but I like modern songs also.

Everybody always asks about the neighbourly voting. Does that help countries to win? People voting in south-east Europe, does that help people to win?

God is only one. For all countries in the world including former Yugoslav countries so the people who vote remember their friends and have to vote for their brothers.

Many people think that happens.

There are some comments from people saying that if you remove all of the Balkan region from the voting, you would still have Marija as the winner.

Thank you very much, Extra Nena, for talking to us. Good luck with the CD and all the best for the future.