Singer Đana Smajo presents emotional ballad 'Ostavljam' at Zagreb Festival

Croatian singer Đana Smajo introduced her new emotional ballad, "Ostavljam" (I'm Leaving), at the Zagreb Festival. The song carries a powerful message about the difficulty of moving on from relationships where personal growth is stifled.

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Waiting for people to change, to become better, but no matter how much effort, emotion, and time we invest, that change doesn't happen. The only thing left is to go, leave those days behind, and put myself first to be able to grow as a person. I hope I have at least helped others feel less alone. It is difficult to leave people we love, but it is harder to stay in a relationship where we as people do not become our better version and do not flourish.

Smajo described the song's theme: "Waiting for people to change, to become better, but no matter how much effort, emotion, and time we invest, that change doesn't happen. The only thing left is to go, leave those days behind, and put myself first to be able to grow as a person." She hopes the song resonates with listeners who have faced similar experiences, emphasizing that while leaving loved ones is hard, staying in a relationship that hinders personal development is harder.

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I wanted it to be simple, but to be as much me as possible. Piano, or rather keyboards, are the first and only instrument I have played, and it holds great importance for me because it was precisely with its help that I discovered that authorship is something I can do and love besides singing. I also love nature very much and feel freest in it, which is why we had a scene in nature, where I run barefoot and free, and the third scene with falling petals precisely symbolizes that 'cleaning,' departure, complete liberation.

The accompanying music video, conceptualized by Smajo herself, features a simple yet personal aesthetic. It includes scenes with a piano, her primary instrument since childhood, which she credits for helping her discover her passion for songwriting. Nature scenes, where she is depicted running barefoot, symbolize freedom, while falling petals represent cleansing and release.

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I realized 100 percent that music is something I want to do for the rest of my life, and the first big step for me was Dora 2020, then another followed in 2023, IDJshow and victory the same year, and then I got the opportunity to create more of my music, develop and progress in authorship and composing, and I am finally living everything that little Đana could only dream of, and I'm not even halfway there.

Smajo began her serious musical journey at 16, identifying music as her lifelong pursuit. Her career highlights include participating in Dora (Croatia's Eurovision selection) in 2020 and 2023, winning the IDJshow in 2023, and subsequently focusing on developing her songwriting and composing skills. She cites global pop and R&B divas like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Ariana Grande as major influences, while also appreciating local artist Senida.

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Definitely pop/soul/rnb world-famous divas, that's what was played at my home. I really love Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, but also during my childhood and primary school years it turned into dancing and singing to Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Ariana Grande, whom I still love listening to very much. I have certainly always been a big fan of foreign music, and on our scene, I would like to highlight Senida, I think she is great in everything she does and I really love her music.