HRT’s open call for songs ended earlier this month, and the Croatian broadcaster confirmed that the interest for this festival hasn’t been higher since their return to this national final format in 2019, as they received a total of 203 entries. Now the six-member pre-selection jury listened to all of the submitted entries and selected the 24 that will take part in Dora 2024, as well as four back-up entries.
The six-member pre-selection jury consisted of Željko Mesar (Croatia’s Head Of Delegation at Eurovision, who was also the President of the pre-selection jury), Igor Geržina (Executive Producer of RJ Glazba in HRT), Dražen Miočić (Editor of the HTV 4 TV channel), Robert Urlić (Music editor of the Croatian Radio), Tomislav Krizmanić (President of OGAE Croatia) and Ema Gross (Music editor at Croatian Radio). They selected the following 24 acts to compete in Dora 2024:
- Alen Đuras – A Tamburitsa Lullaby
- Let 3 – Babaroga
- Noelle – Baby Baby
- Boris Štok – Can We Talk
- Natalie Balmix – Dijamanti
- Pavel – Do Mjeseca
- Marcela – Gasoline
- Erna – How Do You Love Me
- Vinko – Lying Eyes
- Lana Mandarić – More
- James Night – Nebo plače
- Saša Lozar – Ne plačem zbog nje
- Barbara Munjas – Nepobjediva
- Lara Demarin – Ne vjerujem ti
- The Splitters – Od kad te sanjam
- Misha – One Day
- ET – Pametnom dosta
- Lu Dedić – Plavi leptir
- Zsa Zsa – Probudi usne moje
- Vatra – Slatke suze, gorka ljubav
- Stefany Žužić – Sretnih dana dat’ će Bog
- Eugen – Tišine
- Mario Battifiaca feat. Robert Ferlin – Vodu piti trizan biti
- Damir Kedžo – Voljena ženo
The jury has also selected four back-up songs, in case of any withdrawals, or disqualifications. These are:
- Baby Lasagna – Rim Tim Tagi Dim
- Cota G4 – Stavi se na mjesto
- Mihael Kvorka – Vrati se
- Ether – Duboko roni
There are a few acts that are very well known to the Eurovision fandom – firstly Let 3 represented Croatia in Eurovision earlier this year in Liverpool, bringing their country back in to the final for the first time since 2017, and the band finished on the left hand side of the scoreboard in the Grand Final. Damir Kedžo is also back again, after having won the 2020 edition of Dora, and having competed in this year’s edition with “Angels And Demons” and finishing in 5th place.
Other names include Alen Đuras (who was one of the backing singers for Jacques Houdek in 2017), Boris Štok (who competed in Dora 2023 with “Grijeh”), The Splitters (competed in Dora 2023 with “Lost And Found”), as well as Barbara Munjas (competed in Dora 2023 with “Putem snova”).
There are rumours going around that HRT may re-introduce semi finals for Dora once again (which was last used back in 2010), however the official confirmation of the exact format, as well as of the date(s) when Dora 2024 will be taking place is yet to be confirmed.
Let 3 won Dora 2023 with “Mama ŠČ!” and went on to represent Croatia in Eurovision in Liverpool. Check out their performance once again right here:
