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What is hidden behind the song and tattoos of the group Lelek (Croatia's representative at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna 2026) ?

  • May 12, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 365 views
Nina Nebo
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Many are wondering about the deeper meaning of band Lelek song “Andromeda”

and what the tattoos on the faces and arms of the group members mean.

 

 

This is not a modern decoration, but a direct dedication to an ancient and almost forgotten custom that was practiced in 1463 after the fall of Bosnia when that area was under Ottoman rule.

During that period, tattooing became a powerful tool for preserving identity and protecting against forced assimilation. The main goal was to prevent the abduction of children. Parents tattooed their children, hoping to protect them from the infamous “blood tribute”. Girls and young women, most often between the ages of ten and fifteen, were even more likely to get tattoos.

Visible Christian symbols, such as the cross, were intended to make them "unacceptable" to Turkish men and thus protect them from abduction into harems and forced marriages. Since Islam forbids tattooing, these permanent marks were a clear sign of belonging that could not be hidden. The process was extremely painful; the mixture was made from soot, honey and sometimes breast milk, and applied with a needle.

 

Neva Zganec/PIXSELL

 

'Andromeda' as the voice of forgotten women
It is precisely this historical pain and resistance that the band Lelek has woven into their song. "Andromeda" is a powerful tribute to women who fought to preserve their dignity. The band members emphasized that the song sends a universal message that no one has the right to take away a part of someone's identity.

 

 

 

The symbolism extends to the song's title itself. Andromeda is the closest galaxy to our Milky Way, and the light we see from it today originates from the distant past. In the context of the song, this is a metaphor for a story that is distant and almost forgotten, but whose message still resonates strongly today. The visual identity, costumes inspired by Slavic mythology, and tattoos build a bridge between the past and the present, celebrating inner strength and togetherness.

source zena.net.hr.- A.Ivančić

 

Turquoise carpet ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest - Ethno-pop band Lelek

Profimedia

 

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    3 replies

    CharlyMX
    Superuser
    • CharlyMX
    • Superuser
    • May 12, 2026

    Wow, how amazing and interesting !!!

    The history, culture, and customs of other places never cease to amaze me.

    I 💜 Deezer
      Nina Nebo
      Superuser
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      • Nina Nebo
      • Author
      • Superuser
      • May 13, 2026

       

      LELEK performed in the first part of the ESC evening in Vienna on May 12th, and they took the stage third in a row.

      In the attached YT video you can watch the performance of our representatives on the Eurovision stage and the reaction of the audience in the hall.

       

       

      LELEK - Andromeda (LIVE) | Croatia 🇭🇷 | First Semi-Final | Eurovision 2026

       

      💜🎧 | Why not just live in the moment, especially if it has a good beat | 🎶💜
        Nina Nebo
        Superuser
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        • Nina Nebo
        • Author
        • Superuser
        • May 15, 2026

         

         

        Lyrics

         

        Andromeda

        (croatian)

         

        Dok pališ svijeću pitaj svoju baku
        Zašto je kćeri rađala u strahu
        Zašto su mnogi odabrali groblje?
        Nisu naše majke iznjedrile roblje

        Mnoge su suze potekle k'o rijeka
        Zašto se piše povijest ispočetka?
        Sinovi naši nisu podanici
        Da l' vas noću bude iz kolijevke krici?

        Uzmi me sebi
        Kraljice zemljo
        Tvoja je duša
        Njima sam tijelo

        Vodi me do zvijezda
        Porušenih gnijezda
        Tamo gdje uz krike
        Isprate vojnike
        Vodi me do zvijezda
        Daleko od pogleda
        Andromeda

        Sve urezane ožiljke do kosti
        Nijedna majka neće vam oprostit'
        Na stolu srama zlato sa đerdana
        Dok peru ruke krvlju naših rana

        Izdajice
        Izdajice
        Izdajice
        Izdajice

        Uzmi me sebi
        Kraljice zemljo
        Tvoja je duša
        Njima sam tijelo

        Vodi me do zvijezda
        Porušenih gnijezda
        Tamo gdje uz krike
        Isprate vojnike
        Vodi me do zvijezda
        Daleko od pogleda
        Andromeda

        Vodi me do zvijezda
        Porušenih gnijezda
        Tamo gdje uz krike
        Iѕprate vojnike
        Vodi me do zvijezda
        Daleko od pogleda

        Andromeda
        Andromeda
        Andromeda
        Andromeda
        Andromeda
        Andromeda

         

        Andromeda

        (english)

         

        When you light a candle, ask your grandmother
        Why she gave birth to daughters in fear
        Why did so many choose the grave?
        Our mothers did not give birth to slaves

        So many tears have flowed like rivers
        Why is history written all over again?
        Our sons are not subjects nor servants
        Do their cradle-cries still haunt you at night?

        Take me as yours
        Queen of this land
        Your soul is mine
        To them I am just flesh

        Lead me to the stars
        To shattered nests afar
        Where soldiers are sent away
        With screams that echo and stay
        Lead me to the stars
        Far from watching eyes
        Andromeda

        All the scars carved to the bone
        No mother will forgive what you've done
        On the table of shame lies gold from torn necklaces
        While you wash your hands in the blood of our wounds

        Traitors
        Traitors
        Traitors
        Traitors

        Take me as yours
        Queen of this land
        Your soul is mine
        To them I am just flesh

        Lead me to the stars
        To shattered nests afar
        Where soldiers are sent away
        With screams that echo and stay
        Lead me to the stars
        Far from watching eyes
        Andromeda

        Lead me to the stars
        To shattered nests afar
        Where soldiers are sent away
        With screams that echo and stay
        Lead me to the stars
        Far from watching eyeѕ

        Andromeda
        Andromeda
        Andromeda
        Andromeda
        Andromeda
        Andromeda
        Andromedа

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