We did not expect victory, because in this line-up Heavy Industry is on the Sun Scales for the first time. Until now, we only came to Montenegro for concerts, and we came to Skala to promote the song and hang out with colleagues. The surprise is great - Lea Mijatović, singer of Heavy Industry commented, holding the Golden Mermaid in her hands. Together with Kemal Monten, the group triumphed on the 19th consecutive Suncani Scales. Although they have been on the music scene for almost 40 years, Teška industrija is not a festival band - they only went to similar competitions a few times, and this is also their first award.
Even before the festival, they were considered the main favorites, and Lea points out that they heard that story at the dress rehearsal.
- For me, the biggest victory is when I go on stage and hear the audience's applause after the song is performed. It's proof that people still like what I do, and that's much more important than any award - Monteno explained.
She believes that the fact that their song has been playing on radio stations for more than a month helped them to win.
- In Croatia, there is a chart compiled by 80 radio stations, and we have been in first place since the first Sunday when the song was released. It also has a lot of views on YouTube. We didn't have information on how much the song was listened to in Montenegro, but it turned out that people here also know it and like it - concluded Lea. Their colleague Kemal Monteno, who has many awards and hits behind him, points out that every victory is the same.
- For me, the biggest victory is when I go on stage and hear the applause of the audience after the song is performed. It's proof that people still like what I do, and that's much more important than any award - explained Monteno.
Even Danijel Pavlović, who won the Silver Mermaid with the song "Tri dana", did not expect a prize at this year's festival.
- I am satisfied, because I did not expect Sirena. I am grateful to the jury who recognized a beautiful summer song and to Mr. Bučevac who included it in the festival. The song was specially made for Sunčane skale, and the reaction of the audience even before the festival was positive - pointed out Pavlović, adding that the satisfaction is greater considering that he is the author of the music and the co-author of the lyrics of the track with which he competed.
The jury recognized a good song: Danijel Pavlović, Photo: Zoran Đurić
- I congratulate Kemal on the victory from the bottom of my heart. He deserved it. I'm neither vain nor sickly ambitious, I'm an artist and I look at my life and my work - explained Pavlović. Macedonian Joce Panov was also satisfied with the third prize, although he admitted that he expected him to be the winner of the festival.
- I will keep this bronze at home. It's not a problem for me that we didn't get money with the statues, because I spend it quickly, and thanks to this Siren, I'll remember the festival as long as I live - Panov is modest. He pointed out that since he started playing music, he managed to win 11 awards.
- I came back with awards from all the festivals I attended. I sang at similar competitions in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, at the Song of the Mediterranean, and here I am for the first time at Skala and again with a prize. All these recognitions are a great satisfaction for me - admitted Panov.
Even Kristijan Rahimovski, whose song was performed by the audience at the Kanli tower, was not burdened by the placement.
- Your audience has a wonderful mentality. They know how to listen to music and enjoy it. They know how to recognize when something is good - Rahimovski is sure, who came to the festival at the invitation of Dražen Bauković.
- The festival has been going on for 19 years, which is a great success and I wanted to be a part of it myself. I know how difficult it is to organize a festival at this time, so my presence is actually a form of support for the organizers - Rahimovski said.
However, support for the organizers this year was lacking when it came to the audience, so Kanli tower was not full, as it was expected to be. Even the journalist teams from the region were not overly interested in this year's Skala, so in the backstage, in addition to the performers, there were mostly members of the Montenegrin media.
No more hanging out
There were five performers from Montenegro at this year's festival, and the best performer was Ivana Martinović, who was fifth overall. The scale below her, Jelena Kažanegra finished the competition, while Marko Prentić was 11th. The first presentation of Dejan Seferović brought him to 17th place, while Pero Stefanović did the worst of the Montenegrin performers, who finished in 20th place.
Everything has changed: Pero Stefanović, Photo: Zoran Đurić
- The festival has changed a lot since I last participated. The atmosphere itself is different, people are no longer relaxed, there is no companionship, intimacy. The performers don't even dare to comment on each other's songs. In addition to our performers who have great songs, after the rehearsal I approached Danijela Pavlović to congratulate him, because I liked his track. Also, the little Bosnian girl had a nice song and sings very well - points out Stefanović, who, as he claims, is not very surprised by the placement. - I didn't even come to Skala because of that, although everyone would love to win.
However, you win first place for nothing if no one listens to your track after the festival, which is sometimes the case with events like this. Based on the reaction of the audience, I am sure that my song will be listened to, so I have no reason to be dissatisfied - commented Stefanović.
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