The song "Cvet z juga" served as the vehicle for Alenka Gotar to become the first Slovenian performer to qualify for a Eurovision Song Contest grand final. Representing her home nation in Helsinki in 2007, she advanced from the semi-final stage with a seventh-place finish before securing 15th overall in the final competition with a total of 66 points.
Early Training and Education
Born in 1977 in Rodica, near Ljubljana, Gotar began her musical training at a local school where she studied piano and guitar. She continued her education at the music and ballet school in Ljubljana under the guidance of Markos Bajuk. Following her 1996 graduation, she pursued studies at the Musical Academy in Basel and later attended the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg. There, she studied with Lilijan Sukis, earning her diploma in 2000 and eventually completing a master's degree in 2006. Additional vocal development included work with Maya Sunari-Biankini in Rome, as well as mentorship from Marjana Lipovšek and Alfred Burgstaller.
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Gotar has maintained a presence in both the Maribor Opera and the SNG Opera and Ballet in Ljubljana. Her extensive repertoire spans from the Baroque period to modern compositions. In Ljubljana, she performed roles such as Donna Elvira in "Don Giovanni," Rusalka in the Dvořák opera of the same name, and Pamina in "The Magic Flute." Her Salzburg engagements included appearances as Mimi in "La bohème" and Susanna in "The Marriage of Figaro." Beyond traditional stage roles, she participated in the 2001 Europäische Musikmonat festival in Basel, performing in "Skamander" by Beato Gysin, and collaborated with composer György Kurtag in 2000.
Eurovision and Recording
On 4 February 2007, Gotar won the EMA 2007 selection process, a contest decided entirely by public televoting. She received 44,636 votes, defeating Eva Černe for the right to represent Slovenia. Her entry, "Cvet z juga," was composed by Andrej Babić and arranged by Aleksandra Valenčić. The piece featured a blend of fast rhythmic ballad elements and operatic vocals. Following her Eurovision appearance, she released several singles, including "Ženska iz soli," "Odidi," and "Samo Ti," the latter recorded with Oliver Dragojević.
Political Activity
Beyond her musical career, Gotar transitioned into the public sphere during the 2018 Slovenian parliamentary election. She ran as a candidate for the Slovenian Democratic Party. Although the party secured a victory in the national election, Gotar did not obtain a seat in the Slovenian National Assembly.
Fast facts
- Born: 1977, Rodica, Slovenia
- Occupation: Opera singer and music teacher
- Eurovision Entry: Cvet z juga (2007)
- Eurovision Result: 15th place
- Education: Universität Mozarteum Salzburg
- Primary Instruments: Voice, piano, guitar
Questions readers ask
Did Alenka Gotar win the Eurovision Song Contest?
No, she placed 15th in the 2007 grand final.
Has she held political office?
No, she was a candidate for the Slovenian Democratic Party in 2018 but was not elected.
Achievements
- Instruments: piano and voice
- Genres: pop music and opera
