The second semi-final of Croatian national selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Dora is set to take place on 28th of February.

One of the twelve artists is competing for the fifth time at the contest and now he is delivering to the viewers his best and most authentic music video while he performs the song which describes an indigenous Croatian mental state, Južina. Luka Nižetić took a moment to share with us what are his thoughts ahead of the contest.

Hello Luka, you will be competing at Dora for the 5^th time, how does it feel to be back at the contest?
I didn’t intend to apply for Dora, but as I started writing my own songs last summer, my manager put a ‘bug in my ear’ that it would be good for me to apply with one of them. I listened to the demo recordings and it seemed to me that the sketch of the song ‘Južina’ was the most adaptable for dynamic changes and arrangement, making it ideal for applying to Dora. For two months, I polished it with producer Marko Mihaljević, we shaped it into three minutes, and here I am, at Dora for the fifth time. I am extremely happy that the audience has already embraced the song and placed it at the top of the trending list on YouTube; in the very first week, it directly entered the 6th place on the national radio top chart, and it’s the most listened song from Dora in the Croatian radio airplay. For me, every performance is an opportunity to show who I am at that moment, to share a new story with the audience, and Dora is still the strongest platform where your work reaches a large number of listeners. It’s important for me to enjoy the creative process and feel that what I do makes sense, and that the audience finds themselves in it, after all. As long as I have a song that carries an authentic story and message, I won’t rule out the possibility of returning to Dora.

Was there any anecdote or a memory from the previous four participations at Dora (2003, 2005, 2007 and 2019) which you would like to share with the readers?
Every participation at Dora has been a special experience. When I look at the recording of my first performance in 2003 with the song ‘Robot,’ I see my career in some way through that passage of time. I was young and crazy back then, and I’m still crazy today, but a bit more sober, realistic, and experienced in everything. Of all those performances, 2005 stands out as the most special to me because the song ‘Proljeće’ that I performed then became a sort of musical ID for me, after which nothing was the same. The song became a big hit and to this day it is the backbone of my live performances, and from what I can see, all generations sing it.

Can you tell us a bit about “Južina” how did it came to life and what does the song mean for you?
Južina is, for me, a metaphor for life – unpredictable, difficult, but also inspiring; it can make you dizzy and take you to some surreal states. It symbolizes restlessness, strength, and struggle. I like to joke that we could easily declare ‘južina’ an indigenous Croatian mental state. Južina,’ through its lyrics and melody, continues my sound of Dalmatia, where we added traditional elements to modern production by incorporating mandolin, gusle, and ojkalica, thus leaning a bit towards the sound of Dalmatinska Zagora. The song was created during the ‘južina,’ it was recorded during the ‘južina,’ and we filmed the video during the ‘južina,’ so it seems I can’t escape this ‘južina.

The music video is not something what we often see from Croatian musicians what was the inspiration behind it and how was the experience of creating it?
I think this is my best and most original music video in my career. I am thrilled with Fran Pamić, the young director and director of photography who visualized ‘Južina,’ and believe me, it wasn’t exactly simple. What impressed me about him was that everything he envisioned was identical to my vision for the video. It was my first time collaborating with him, and those three days of shooting, as tiring as they were, passed in a very pleasant atmosphere. Our journey took us to Pula, where we utilized several locations, and the most fascinating one was the surreal space of the Main Post Office, which with its interior fits right into a Lynchian film. Larisa Lipovac was also at the shoot with her dancers, who designed the dance and stage elements. Now that I see the final result, I admit we couldn’t have done better; I am really satisfied, and I can see that the audience enjoys it too

Can you reveal us a bit what kind of a performance we could expect? Will you be presenting us something similar like in the music video?
We are working at full speed. Larisa Lipovac has choreographed the performance, and now we are focusing on the details, from the stage presentation, shots, to lighting. We also have Silvio Vujičić, a respected Croatian costume designer, graduate fashion designer, and academic painter, who is in charge of the costumes, and Aleksandar Rapaić, with whom I’ve already worked on ‘Brutaler,’ who will create the animations for the performance. We are a small team, but we are well-coordinated; they are all top professionals, and it is a great pleasure to collaborate with them. As for the performance, it will be based on the video, which set some guidelines, but we are also preparing some attractive surprises—just as long as I don’t break my leg before Opatija.

Given the fact that some fans see you among the favourites to win Dora 2025 do you feel pressured by that? What would it mean for you to win and represent Croatia at Eurovision 2025?
As far as I can see, this year there are more favorites, which is good; the final will be more intense. Since I’ve been in the scene for quite a long time, the status of a favorite doesn’t burden me as much anymore. After all, I was also considered a favorite with ‘Proljeće,’ but I didn’t win; however, the song became my musical ID, so if something similar happens with ‘Južina,’ I will be satisfied. It’s not about whether I will win or not; that doesn’t depend on me. What I can control is performing the show as I envisioned it with my team, creating a special visual performance to tell our story well. And if victory happens, great— the circus goes on. As for going to Eurovision, of course, it would mean a lot to me, and it would be the fulfillment of a dream, but I wouldn’t see it as the ultimate goal; rather, it would be another stop on my musical journey – an opportunity to represent my country and myself in the best way possible.

Do you watch Eurovision regularly, what is your favourite song from the contest?
In my family, we have always followed Eurovision, and that tradition has continued to this day. In recent years, the competition has become even more interesting because, along with the music, there is also an additional show with various stage effects and animations, which makes the overall impression even more impactful. Among the Croatian songs that have participated in Eurovision, my favorite is ‘Neka mi ne svane’ by Danijela Martinović, and internationally, I enjoy Loreen, Maneskin, Mahmood—there are many, so I won’t list them all.

If you could choose an actor to portray you in a movie of your life who would it be and why?
Honestly, I don’t know, maybe that actor hasn’t even been born yet (haha).

If you could choose a musician to record a duet with who would it be and which style of the song would the two of you perform?
I grew up listening to the music of Radiohead, and among Croatian musicians, I am a big admirer of Damir Urban. If I had to choose someone closer to my musical expression and sensibility, it would be Gogol Bordello because they are energetic, quirky, and crazy. I love that blend of gypsy world music and theatrical madness.

What do you do when you are not creating music and singing? Any hobbies?
I love cooking, and that love for gastronomy has been passed down from my mother. There’s nothing better than gathering with friends and enjoying the delicacies you’ve prepared with love. I enjoy walking with my dog Chako, and in recent years, I’ve been practicing yoga and diving, which relaxes me completely and takes me to other mental realms.

What are your plans after Dora 2025?
I plan to return to the studio and continue recording my singer-songwriter album, which is set to be released this year. By summer, I will definitely present two more singles to the audience, and at the same time, I have scheduled concert performances ahead of me. At the end of April, I’m going to Komiža on the island of Vis, where I own two restaurants that operate during the summer season from May to October. In any case, a dynamic and busy period awaits me.

Thank you so much for your time Luka. We wish you the best of luck at Dora 2025. Do you want to share something else or you maybe have a message for readers of escbubble?
Thank you for your attention and for the kind wishes for Dora. In the end, I want to wish everyone to worry less in life, to find their peace, and surround themselves with people who inspire them and make them happy. Times are quite turbulent, and we need to keep our heads above water, while love, tolerance, understanding, justice, honesty, and truth are what should bring this world back into some balance.

You can also check Luka’s entry for Dora 2025, “Južina” below:

In the case Luka’s entry is your favourite of Dora 2025 semi final 2 don’t forget to vote for it in our poll below: