THIS YEAR'S ENTRY

After entering their first Eurovision Song Contest entry as an independent country in Millstreet in 1993, Bosnia-Herzegovina went on to achieve generally disappointing results before it scored its best ever finish in the contest in Athens in 2006, when Hari Mata Hari came 3rd place with "Lejla". For the third year in a row, Bosnian broadcaster BHRT decided to have an internal selection to choose its Eurovision entry. 

In December, Bosnia television caused a surprise when they announced that popular local artist Laka (Elvir Lakovic) would represent the country in Belgrade. The song "Pokušaj" (Try) which was also written and composed by Laka was presented in a special show broadcast on March 3rd and after some debade it was confirmed that the song will be sung in Bosnian in Belgrade.

Elvir Lakovic was born in Gorazde in south eastern Bosnia-Herzegovina, but he rather shy about revealing his age. He attended a Lower School of Music, studying guitar, but he avoided the 'solfeggio' and never followed the correct programe, as he preferred to play songs he liked himself. He played folk music in the cafes of Gorazde for money, and at concerts performed rock and roll. Laka recorded his first song "Malo Sam Se Razocar'o" (I'm A Little Bit Disappointed) in 1998. This song launched his show-business career nationally, and every year since then he has released a new song, among which were "Vjetica" (Witch), "Mor'o" (I Had To) and "Pikila" (You Did A Wee). In 2004, Laka left for New York, where he tried to start a band, but returned to Bosnia disappointed after two-and-a-half years and released his first album "Zec" (Rabbit) in 2007.

Elvir Lakovic Laka won over the people of Bosnia with his originality and lack of pretentiousness. He is said to be a singer of great feeling for new and different things. The beginning of Laka's career is concentrated on a guitar bought for him by his father in his first year at Music Primary School. At secondary school he and some friends formed a rock band called 'Deformacija Poreza'. With his group he competed at local festivals, and in 1999 their song Razocaro won second place, and the Bosnian State Television gave him an offer of recording as soon as he gained great success. The following year the new single Vjestica just confirmed his popularity further. In 2003, his song "Ja Sam Mor'o" won the Bosnia Davorin music award for the best rock song of the year. The album "Zec" has also been released in Croatia on the Menart record label.

Laka will be accompanied on stage in Belgrade by his side-kick Mirela, an actress turned singer who has worked with Laka on songs for his new album. Also one stage with Laka, will be the four old ladies from his promo video, making it the oldest ensamble act in Eurovision history.

Bosnia's entry is one of the boomakers favourites to qualify from the first semi-final and to finish in the Top 10 in the final. Internet fan polls have given some very varied results, with some suggesting a Top 10 place in the final, and others showing the song in the bottom half of the semi-finalists.

SAMPLE LYRICS