PHOTO: Kings of the Street Not Afraid of Belgrade

Pajo, if we win, I will give an honourable title to myself, commented Laci about the “Kings” going to the Eurosong.

The trip to the Eurosong is usually an event full of glitter and glamour, accompanied by great media coverage and high ticket prices for the concerts of the artists. This year there will be nothing of that sort, because the representatives of Croatia, what everybody knows, are “Kraljevi Ulice” (Kings of the Street) with the song “Romanca” (Romance), which is a small and unknown band outside of Zagreb. They hold their performances, as the name implies, on the streets of Zagreb. This is exactly where we found them a few days before their trip to Belgrade. There was no glamour or glitter anywhere, and they never thought about entry tickets anyway.

- Laco told me: Pajo, if we win, I will address myself with respect – commented Zlatko Petrovic Pajo with a smile about their upcoming performance in Belgrade. They have no favourite besides themselves, and as they claim, they have no fear of going to Belgrade, despite the strengthened security measures for performers from Croatia.

- I welcome the measures of the organizers to do everything so that something bad does not happen, so that Serbia and the Eurosong do not get a bad name. We have already been in Belgrade, guarded and unguarded, and nothing happened to us! They should have guards – concluded Pajo and added – but for them, not because of us.

Europe

Belgrade is, according to what we have heard, organizing the most expensive Eurosong to date. The Kings of the Street find Belgrade a lot more interesting because, you guessed it, events on the street.

- There is a kid there, all dressed up – says Pajo excitedly – who plays the violin so well that your brain stops. He is only eight years old, and foreigners watch in disbelief. His accompaniment is his 11 year old brother who plays the harmonica, which reaches up to his chin!

Whilst many have written a lot of things about their song, from the good to the bad, Pajo sees the Eurosong as an opportunity to prove the quality of his band to everyone.

- People say that we are old and ugly. Well, we agree with that – he says – but then they say that the music is no good. Hey, we do not agree at all! We will show them with the performance.

Ready to travel

This King of the street can play all he likes, but the pressure of going to Belgrade is being felt by everyone. As Pajo says, it is most important that Laci is well, and that he and Hadzi will endure.

- I can hardly wait to sit in the bus and only think about the practice and performance, then all of the stress will finally be gone – claims Pajo. During the next few days, he and Hadzi will be awaited by the organization Cest is d’Best and the defence of the national pride in Belgrade. This is a lot of work for a band that is used to being on the move constantly.

The Kings of the Street have been ready to go to Belgrade for a long time. Not only to go to Belgrade, but to Ljubljana, Graz or wherever needed. Pajo’s car boot is always full of gear, full of CDs that he will sell in Belgrade for 80 dinars (Euros are fine too, says Pajo), instruments, and a cassette player. At any moment, Pajo, Laci and Hadzi can leave for anywhere they want.

- That is the best thing about my job. You sit in your car, go to another city, open your suitcase, sell, earn, fill up gas and continue. You sell a product, but if the product disappears there is always the guitar. That is it – said Pajo with a glaze in his eyes.

The King of the Street then headed towards one of the local café bars after playing, to get a cup of coffee. He waved to us and disappeared into the crowd at Zagreb’s Dolac with a smile on his face.

Only in Croatia, a place where Kings, as could be said, go on foot.

Take a look at the PHOTO GALLERY.