Ivan Mikulić

Ivan Mikulić is a Herzegovinian Croat singer. He is best known for representing Croatia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. Active since the 1990s, he has released several pop albums and is noted for his strong voice and a blend of pop with traditional Croatian music. Mikulić first gained fame at Croatian pop music festivals and remains a popular figure in Croatia’s music scene.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Ivan Mikulić was born on May 8, 1968 in Mostar, in what was then Yugoslavia (now Bosnia and Herzegovina). He grew up in the town of Široki Brijeg, where he attended music school and began singing at a young age. In 1980, he won a youth singing competition in Skopje, showing his early talent. As a teenager, Mikulić formed a pop-rock band called Zvjezdane Staze, in which he sang and played bass guitar. The band performed frequently at local events, giving him valuable stage experience.

Rise to Fame in Croatian Pop

In 1995, Mikulić made his national debut at Dora, Croatia’s competition to select its Eurovision entry. He performed the song “Ti i ja” (“You and I”), which brought him to the attention of the Croatian pop audience. The next year, he released his first album Zaljubljen i lud (“In Love and Crazy”). Around this time, he also began working with songwriter-producer Miro Buljan, a collaboration that lasted for many years.

By the end of the 1990s, Mikulić had won several awards at music festivals. In 1999, he took the Grand Prix at the Melodije Mostara festival with the song “Pustite me da je volim”. He also won audience choice awards at the Split Festival and Zadarfest that year. These successes led him to release his second album, Kaži joj suzo, in 1999. He toured Croatia and Bosnia to promote the album, and Croatian Television recorded one of his big concerts in Mostar.

In 2000, Mikulić expanded into musical theater by starring as Jesus in a Croatian production of Jesus Christ Superstar. His performance earned praise from audiences and critics. He continued to release popular songs. In 2002, he came out with his third album, Ti si ona prava (“You Are the Right One”), which included several festival hits and the single “Podižeš mi puls”.

Eurovision Song Contest 2004

In 2004, Ivan Mikulić achieved international recognition. He won the Dora national contest, earning the right to represent Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul. His winning song was “Daješ mi krila” (“You Give Me Wings”), which he performed in English as “You Are The Only One”. At Eurovision, Mikulić qualified from the semi-final and placed 12th in the final (tied with Malta). This performance introduced him to a wider European audience and remains a highlight of his career.

Later Career and Style

After Eurovision, Mikulić continued to record music and perform live. He added more Croatian folk influences to his pop style. In 2005 and 2006 he won the Melodije Mostara festival again with the songs “Lovac” (“Hunter”) and “Igraj, igraj nemoj stat'” (“Dance, Dance, Don’t Stop”). The latter song featured the traditional ganga folk singing style from his home region. In 2006, he released an album Igraj, igraj, nemoj stat’, showcasing this pop-folk fusion.

In 2007, Mikulić released a double compilation album Zlatna kolekcija (“Golden Collection”), featuring his biggest hits. He continued to perform at festivals and won another Grand Prix at Melodije Mostara in 2007. Outside competitions, he was a regular guest at the Večernjakov Pečat award show, where he sang with orchestral accompaniment.

Recent Years

In the 2010s, Ivan Mikulić slowed down his recording output but remained active in live performances. He often sings for Croatian communities abroad and at charity events. Over the years, he has performed in more than 100 humanitarian concerts. Beyond music, Mikulić pursued higher education; he earned a degree in journalism and a master’s degree in public relations. Today, he occasionally appears on television and at special music events. He remains a veteran star of Croatian pop music who helped bring traditional elements of Croatian music to a wider audience.