Eurovision 2026: Meet Coratia's LELEK and their song Andromeda
- Liv Webster
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
We profile the 2026 entry from Croatia including details on the artist, song, how it was chosen, odds, fan reaction and how the nation has fared at Eurovision.
After participating as part of Yugoslavia between 1961 and 1992, Croatia made its debut as an independent country at the 1993 Eurovision Song Contest along ex-Yugoslav bedfellows Slovenia and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
The country initially proved to be something of a powerhouse, placing in the top 10 in six of the seven contests between 1995 and 2001 (including fourth-place finishes in 1996 and 1999).
However, the twenty-first century proved less kind to the Balkan nation, with Croatia qualifying just twice between 2010 and 2022 - although they did take a two-year break from the contest during this period, in 2014 and 2015, due in no small part to this disastrous run of results.
2023 saw a turnaround for the country, however, with provocative rock act Let 3 qualifying for the grand final in Liverpool with their memorably insane track Mama ŠČ! The following year, newcomer Baby Lasagna would build on Let 3's success by obtaining Croatia's first ever runner-up result with his song Rim Tim Tagi Dim.
Croatia will be represented at Eurovision 2026 by five-piece group LELEK with the entry Andromeda.
2026 entry: LELEK - Andromeda
LELEK will perform third in semi-final 1
My Eurovision Scoreboard ranking: 8th
Odds to win ranking: 17th
(Rankings as of 20 April 2026)
About the artist
Lelek is a contemporary vocal ensemble from Croatia known for blending traditional Balkan folk elements with modern a cappella and experimental arrangements. The group places a strong emphasis on preserving regional heritage, often drawing from old Slavic melodies, dialects, and storytelling traditions, while reinterpreting them through layered harmonies and minimalist production.
Lelek’s sound is typically atmospheric and intimate, relying heavily on the natural texture of the human voice rather than instrumental backing. Their performances often explore themes of identity, landscape, and folklore, giving their music a reflective, almost ritualistic quality. This approach has helped them stand out within the European folk revival scene, appealing to audiences interested in both cultural authenticity and contemporary vocal innovation.
Their most viewed song on YouTube is Tane along side artist Marin with 1.7 million views - check it out, it's bloody good!
About the song
Andromeda stands out for it's fusion of Balken-pop, drama, folk and dystopian contemporary elements. The entry is sung entirely in Croatian for the first time since Let 3 in 2023.
One of the strongest elements is the striking symbolism that runs through the entire performance. The skin markings on the ladies, or sicanje, are a traditional tattoo that Coratian Catholic women from Bosnia and Herzegovina would don for a range of reasons including as a sign of edurance of pain and resistance.
The lyrics reflect on war, inherited trauma, and betrayal. They urge younger generations to question the fear and suffering passed down from their ancestors, while condemning those who repeat cycles of violence and treat people as expendable. In particular the historical Coratian Catholic women from Bosnia and Herzegovina who tattoed their bodies to preserve their identity, refusing the forget - to insist on dignity.
The “queen of the land” symbolizes a wounded homeland, and the desire to go to the Andromeda Galaxy represents a longing to escape conflict and find peace far beyond human cruelty.
How was LELEK chosen for Eurovision?
Croatia selected their entry for Eurovision via the national final selection process Dora 2026. 251 entries were initially received by the broadcaster with 24 entries selected for the semi-finals.
Notable competing artists included ToMa, Stela Rade and Marko Kutlić.
The grand final consisted of 16 artists with Lelek winning both the juries and the televote. They cleared jury second place getter Stela Rade by 31 points and won the televote by 26 points to next best Cold Snap. They comfortably won and were a standout entry from the beginning of Dora 2026.
Croatia will compete in semi-final 1 of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest on 12 May in Vienna.
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