In the spotlight: Käärijä

Road to Vienna: Montenegro As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Today, we focus on Montenegro Tamara Živković: from local festivals to the Eurovision stage Tamara Živković is a Montenegrin singer and flutist known for her powerful vocals and emotional performances. She rose to fame through major Balkan music competitions and gained international attention after winning Montesong 2025. This victory secured her place as Montenegro’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. Early Life and Musical Education Born in Kotor, Montenegro, Tamara showed musical talent from a young age. She completed both primary and secondary music school, specializing in flute performance. During this time, she won several national and international awards in wind instrument competitions. She later studied at the Faculty of Music Arts in Belgrade, where she refined her classical training. This strong musical foundation plays a key role in her vocal control and stage presence today. From Choir Singer to TV Competitions Tamara began singing at the age of 10 in her school choir, quickly becoming a soloist. She performed at well-known children’s festivals such as Zlatna Pahulja and Naša Radost. Her national breakthrough came in 2016 when she appeared on Pinkove Zvezdice. In the early 2020s, she expanded her audience by competing in Zvezde Granda, one of the most popular music shows in the Balkans. Reaching the finals, she stood out as the only Montenegrin contestant and showcased her versatility across pop, rock, and ethno music. Montesong Journey and Breakthrough Win Tamara first entered Montenegro’s Eurovision selection with Montesong 2024. Performing “Poguban let,” she finished 9th in the final. In 2025, she returned stronger than ever. Competing with “Nova Zora,” Tamara won Montesong 2025, earning top scores from both the jury and the public. This marked a major turning point in her career. With a unique blend of classical training and modern style, Tamara is set to become one of Montenegro’s most exciting music exports. Nova Zora: A Song About Letting Go and New Beginnings Nova Zora tells the story of reaching a personal breaking point and choosing a fresh start. The song focuses on leaving behind toxic relationships, emotional pain, and outside expectations. It delivers a powerful message about reclaiming identity and putting yourself first. Self-Love and Empowerment At its core, the track highlights self-love, resilience, and inner strength. With a strong sense of female empowerment, it emphasizes that true confidence comes from within, not from external validation. The message is clear: growth begins when you choose yourself. Symbolism and Imagery Nature imagery plays a key role in the song. Storms and rain represent emotional struggle and release, while the “new dawn” symbolizes hope, clarity, and renewal. This contrast reinforces the journey from hardship to healing.     Montenegro in the Eurovision Song Contest Montenegro has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2007. The country’s best result came in 2015 when Knez‘s “Adio” reached 13th place in the Grand Final.  The Bookmakers Tamara Živković is currently ranked 33rd with the bookmakers, making a place in the final seem almost out of reach. But could she defy the odds and deliver one of the competition’s biggest surprises?