Over the past 30 years, Vera Jankovik has been one of the biggest and best known names on the Macedonian music and television scene! From her early career days, when she participated in Jugovizija (1986), to acting as host of Makfest for 14 years, and being one of rare Macedonian DJanes, Vera has covered a whole range of artistic facets, many of her colleagues can only dream of! Now, she has decided to try her luck to win a ticket for Eurovision once again, as she is taking part in this year’s Skopje Fest, where she will sing her song “Se plasam” (not “Sakam da letam”, as previously reported). Skopje Fest 2014 is the Macedonian National Final for Eurovision Song Contest 2015, which will be held on the 12th of November in the Metropolis Arena in Skopje. Check out everything Vera revealed to us in the following interview:

• Hello Vera! Congratulations for making it to the top 20 for Skopje Fest 2014! What made you decide to submit a song for the Festival?

Does one really need to have a special reason to submit a song for the festival?! The fact that I have been a singer for 30 years now (since 1984, when I started singing with my band “Psiho”), a trend-setter for the Macedonian VIP scene, someone who is the alpha and omega of night life, who lives and makes music… My submission for participation in the festival is a logical continuance of my work. It’s time to show Macedonia what I can and what I am capable of! It’s the right moment – it’s my moment! 🙂

• Can you tell us a bit about your song?

My song is called “Se plasam”. It’s a masterpiece of the producers and songwriters Darko Tasev and Vesna Malinova. Arrangements were done by Davor Jordanovski. The three of them are an experienced team and a well functioning squad of talented musicians. Their creation of the song has been painful and long, but, in the end, they have managed to produce a beautiful ballad which fully expresses my emotions. It tells a story, it cries, it’s present, it battles against and defies everyone. It’s everything what life stands for!

• How are you preparing yourself for the Macedonian national selection for Eurovision?

Everything is ready as far as preparations are concerned. When thinking back, I have participated in various festivals for over 15 years (as a producer, host and singer) and I am very proficient when it comes to organising things. The three short minutes need to be utilised well to present oneself in the best possible way, and everything has to be perfect and needs to reveal the full range of talents an artist has in his or her repertoire. The song is complete when all the bits fit well together, when it tells a fascinating story.

• In your opinion, who is your biggest contender at Skopje Fest?

Frankly, I am not sure who I will be competing against. Sorry! I really don’t know! I suppose, I will find out who my rivals are during the allocation draw. Honestly, I am myself my biggest contender! 🙂 It’s an eternal battle of me, myself and I!

• What is your favourite Eurovision song?

I am not very familiar with Eurovision songs, but I have listened to a few. This time, I have applied for Skopje Fest, an “extremely important contest”, which buys you a ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest if you win. My sole mission, however, is to present and sing my song perfectly! Nothing more!

• What do you think in which language should Macedonian entrants sing at Eurovision?

In Macedonian, of course! That’s how I feel, at least. We think, breath and sing in Macedonian! 😉 No, really, language is not the key element in music or any other segment concerning arts. A song tells a story in its own language, which is comprehensible to everyone whom it touches!

• In 1986, you have participated in “Jugovizija”. What are your memories from that contest, and what is your interpretation of why no one ever won the contest from the former Radio Television Skopje?

I have fond memories of that contest. And there are many of them! There’s Pristina, where I sang “Bel gulabe”; Zadar, where I worked as a reporter; Zagreb 1990… These were all valuable experiences! And, I have never really given much thought to why Macedonians never won Jugovizija. In the end, we lived in Yugoslavia back then. Everything belonged to “us”! There was no mine against yours! I have never been interested in forecasts and games played behind the scenes – everyone knows that!

• Do you have a message for all your fans on ESCbubble?

Dear all, keep listening to the music you love, find yourselves in it and protect your music bubble dearly, as it is something that gives peace of mind and total freedom. Music is what surrounds us!

• Thank you so much for taking your time out for this interview, and we wish you the best of luck in the Macedonian national selection!

Give a listen to Vera’s song “Veti mi” from the Macedonian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2002: