#MACEDONIA: Vlatko Ilievski has died

It’s been announced that Vlatko Ilievski, the representative for Macedonia at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest has died. He was found dead in his car on 6 July, just four days after his 33rd birthday. The cause of death has yet to be established.

Vlatko sang the song ‘Rusinka/Русинка’ (Russian girl) in Düsseldorf. It was about a Macedonian boy that falls in love with a Russian girl, but is never quite sure what she’s talking about.

He’d tried to represent his country in 2009 but finished 13th in Skopje Fest. He had more success in 2010 with the song ‘Srekja/Срекја’ (Sorrow). It won a semi-final of Skopje Fest and tied with the eventual winner ‘Jas ja imam silata’. However, the jury vote counted for me, so he stayed as runner-up.

He’d been in the music industry since 2000, when he joined the rock band Морал/Morality. He was with them until 2007 when he went solo. His hits included ‘Nebo/Небо’, ‘Pak na staro/Пак на старо’ and ‘Roza sine/Роза сине’. He’d also released two albums.

Eurovision Ireland’s thoughts are with Vlatko’s family at this sad time.

Author: John Stanton

Source: Eurovision Ireland, Sakam de kazkam (MK)