The first semi-final of Croatian national selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2025, Dora is set to take place on 27th of February.

One of the twelve artists competing is a returnee to the show and a singer recently became one of the mentor of The Voice Kids Croatia. Marko Tolja took a moment to share with us what are his thoughts ahead of the contest.

Hello Marko, you are returning back to Dora after 16 years how does it feel to be back at the contest?
Yes, I am returning to Dora after 16 years. This time for completely different reasons. The song “Through the dark” talks about the problem of mental health, especially among young people. There is too little talk about this topic in our country, and I believe in Europe as well, and with this song, my goal is to encourage people to think about it. Dora is our most watched music festival and every song is discussed and commented on a lot, so it seemed like a great platform to launch this initiative of mine. Placement and victory are second to me in this case. The most important thing for me is that everyone who hears the song thinks about what it is about. If that happens, it’s already a victory for me.

Was there any anecdote or a memory from the previous two participations at Dora (2007 and 2009) which you would like to share with the readers?
In my career, Dora will always have a special place because in 2007 it was the stage where I presented myself to a wider audience for the first time. I remember that I was very excited that long ago in 2007. I had no expectations because at that time I was still completely unknown to the Croatian audience. In the end, I made it to the finals, and that’s when media interest started. Even though I’ve been away for 16 years, and I’ve done and achieved a lot in the meantime, I think it will be very exciting to stand on that stage again.

Can you tell us a bit about “Through the dark” how did it came to life and what does the song mean for you?
I have to admit that working on The Voice Kids also opened my eyes in this regard. There we met with psychologists who gave us various information related to that topic, and the statistics are worrying. Exposure of young people to social networks and all the negativity that they bring contributes greatly to this problem. Young people close themselves in their own world, follow and watch some unrealistic lives and thus fall into depressive states. And we as a society just stand aside and pretend it’s not our problem. The first step towards any healing is for society to accept a person with a problem. Also, we must not forget harmful comments and violence on social networks, which further aggravates the situation. Many people face abusive and malicious comments that negatively affect their mental health. It is important not only to be aware of these problems, but also to react – to educate people, encourage empathy and create a safer digital environment in which we will build support, not collapse self-confidence. This is exactly what Through the Dark is about. The song talks about how, with support and understanding, we can help people find a way out of the darkness they’ve found themselves in. The aim of the song is to raise awareness of the problem of mental health, especially among young people, and to encourage society to react – not to turn our heads away from the problem, but to recognize it, reach out and be part of the solution.

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?
Minimalism. The song itself is atypical for Dora, so the stage performance will be like that. There won’t be any fireworks or dancers – everything will be in the service of the song. I would like to mention that on this song I am collaborating with the director Roman Nikolić and the organization Arterarij, which deals with speaking out about this and similar social problems that require understanding and empathy. Considering the theme of the song, our goal is to convey its message through the performance as sincerely and intensely as possible, without superfluous elements that would distract attention from what is most important – its message.

Who do you see as your biggest competitor at Dora 2025?
I wouldn’t single anyone out because I think that each of us who applied to Dora submitted a song that we believe in with all our hearts. I am sure that every performer will give his best performance and whether he is already famous or just starting out, everyone deserves an equal starting position.

Do you watch Eurovision regularly, what is your favourite song from the contest?
I follow the Eurosong every year. I can’t boast that I’m the biggest fan of that event, but I always like to watch it. I’m a big fan of slightly older music, so Waterloo by Abba will always be among my favorite songs.

You are one of the mentors at The Voice Kids Croatia, how is that experience for you?
The Voice Kids is the most beautiful project I have ever worked on. The kids are beautiful and I really needed a dose of their sincerity and joy after 19 years on the scene. It’s quite tiring because the recordings are long and emotionally very charged, but with such positive energy everything is easier and a great pleasure.

What are the three things without which you don’t leave your house?
My phone, house and car keys and sunglasses.

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?
Considering that I’m a big fan of swing music and the legendary Frank Sinatra, it would be nice if I could go back in time, meet him by some crazy luck, and record a song with him.

What do you do when you are not creating music and singing? Any hobbies?
In the last 6 years, my biggest, and most beautiful, “hobby” has been my two sons. With such two cheerful boys, I don’t have time to do anything else. I like to draw and read, but that will have to wait a little longer.

What are your plans after Dora 2025?
A lot of concerts, new singles are planned, and next year I celebrate 20 years of my career, so we will have to celebrate a lot with my fans at concerts.

You can also check Marko’s entry for Dora 2025, “Through the Dark” below:

In the case Marko’s entry is your favorite of Dora 2025 Semi Final 1 don’t forget to vote for it in our poll below:

Let us know who your favorites are in Semi Final 2 as well in our poll below: