Sara Briški Cirman, better known by her stage name Raiven, will be representing Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. She is a singer, songwriter, and a harpist who has studied and performed music since she was a mere four years old. Educated at some of Slovenia’s most prestigious music schools, Raiven has been trained in a number of different genres, most notably classical, opera, and jazz. Raiven has attempted to represent Slovenia at Eurovision on three previous occasions; though she has never won the Slovenian national final, she has always come close. In 2016, her song "Črno bel” finished in second. She returned the next year with the song “Zažarim” and ended up in third. She came back to EMA in 2019 with the song Kaos, but once again finished in second. But this year, clearly inspired by her passion and resilience, the Slovenian delegation internally selected Raiven to carry their banner in Malmo.
Raiven’s songVeronikawas influenced by the story of Veronika of Desenice, an Eastern Europe royal who was charged with witchcraft. The trial was a sham orchestrated by royal rivals who detested Veronika because of her lowborn background. The court acquitted Veronika, but she was still imprisoned and drowned on the orders of Herman II, Count of Celje. Veronika’s tragic story has inspired many literary works, artworks, and songs, including Raiven’s Eurovision entry.Veronikais a dark pop song with a powerful percussive pulse and bewitching Slovene lyrics. When Raiven hits the stage in May, will the Eurovision audience find themselves under her spell?