Serbian broadcaster RTS decided this year to change the format of how they choose their entry, replacing the traditional and very popular show, Beovizija. The reasoning behind this was what RTS described as the financial constraints involved in hosting such a large-scale event. Nevertheless, Serbia were determined to soldier on with finding a quality act to represent them at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Oslo in May.
RTS enlisted the help of popular composer and artist Goran Bregović, who is famous all over the Balkan region. His job was to compose three songs for three acts, which he himself picked from a list of budding singers and entertainers. The artists have been known for some time but the song titles were first revealed on the night of the selection show.
The show involved each artist performing one of the songs twice followed by SMS voting to reveal who had won the ticket to Oslo in May.
Despite a change in format, RTS managed to produce an exciting show with a spectacular finish when a huge majority of the public decided that Milan Stanković would represent his native Serbia with a song entitled Ovo je Balkan.
Check out the Serbian entry below!
Who are they?
Milan Stanković shot to fame from a Pop Idol-like contest in Serbia. The 22-year-old star achieved victory at almost every stage of the contest back in 2007. Since that year he's become very successful, known for his eccentric dressing style and distinctive looks.
His debut album, Solo, sold quickly 50,000 copies and brought him a lot of fans. He leaves no one indifferent - some love him, others challenge his fame. But one thing is certain - the media and the fans follow closely his every step.
His song was written by the renowned composer Goran Bregović. He's been called the founding father of Yugoslav rock scene. Besides being very successful in music, he's also a famous film director, having received many prestigious awards. His song Djurdjevdan, as well as some other of his compositions, are known in the history of film as a light motive from the cult film Borat.
He's also composed music for theatre and has even written an opera, called Karmen with a Happy Ending. Until now it has been performed more than 150 times in metropolis all over the world.
Goran Bregović is an honorary citizen of Buenos Aires, Athens and Tirana. He was also granted an honorary doctorate by the British University of Sheffield.
Check out the interview we had with Goran below:
Serbia will take the stage seventh in the first Semi-Final on the 25th of May in Oslo, Norway.
