“The world is on fire, every flower too”: Teya Dora seeks hope amid the struggle in the “Ramonda” lyrics

Serbia‘s representative, Teya Dora will bring melancholy and hope to the Eurovision 2024 stage. Teya won the Serbian national selection, Pesma za Evroviziju, with her touching and atmospheric song, surpassing numerous fan favorites including big names like Konstrakta, Zorija, Zejna, and Breskvica.

Her song “Ramonda” is a powerful ballad with a dark, mysterious vibe. And buried in that mystery are intense feelings of hope and renewal.

“It’s just such a strong symbol,” Teya told our Cinan in Belgrade shortly before the national final. “It represents hope for me and that even when the days are dark and even if you feel like there’s nothing, if you have hope and if you trust in yourself, you can find a way out.” 

Scroll down to read the “Ramonda” lyrics

Serbia at Eurovision 2024: Teya Dora with “Ramonda”

Teya Dora, also known by her real name Teodora Pavlovska, is a rising Serbian star hailing from Bor. Her musical journey began when she moved to Belgrade to attend music school, eventually earning a scholarship to the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she took classes alongside Charlie Puth. Her audition song for Berklee was “No One” by Alicia Keys. Additionally, she was awarded her diploma by one of Led Zeppelin’s founding members, Jimmy Page. After completing her studies, she spent some time in New York working as a songwriter.

By 2018, Teya was back in Serbia working as a songwriter. One year later, under Bassivity Digital, she released her debut single “Da na meni je” (Yes, it’s up to me). Her popularity soared after her song “Džanum” (Dear) went viral on TikTok. Initially recorded for the Serbian series Južni vetar: Na granici (South Wind), the song gained significant traction on TikTok during protests following the 2023 Belgrade school shooting. It peaked at number four on Spotify’s Global Viral chart and reached the top ten on Billboard’s Croatia Songs chart.

Teya Dora is the third Serbian artist to have over a million monthly listeners on Spotify, following previous contestants Konstrakta and Luke Black. 

What do the “Ramonda” lyrics mean?

Teya is one of the co-writers of the lyrics. Speaking to our Cinan, she opened up about the meaning of “Ramonda.” It’s is a flower that grows in mountainous areas with rocky soil. For Serbia, the ramonda is also a symbol of hope. It marks the day when the First World War ended (on the 11th of November), and the flower, in the context of this day, symbolises a new beginning. Teya compared it to her own country rising like a phoenix in the aftermath of that conflict. 

Everything is quiet just like under the water
I scream, but the sound doesn’t come out
There is a white flare behind the mountain
I cannot see the end of it
This is the road for the wounded

And there is no one to guide me
Towards the bright North Star

The song speaks about traversing through a dark and lonely period. That’s reflected in the music video as well. It portrays the idea of feeling lost, alone, and confused, with no clear path forward.

And there is no one to guide me
‘Cause all the stars fell asleep
Prayers also don’t help
Where have lilac ramondas disappeared to?

The ramonda is not an ordinary flower; it’s a rare one that is officially protected and which often grows among the rocks. No matter how dry the flower may appear, just a small amount of water can revive it. Finding the ramonda is not an easy task, much like finding the inner strength to rise and walk towards the light.

It rises from asheѕ
One lilac ramondа

The final lines conjures the rise of a phoenix. In the music video, and indeed in the stage show, this theme comes to life with the blooming of the flower at the end.

“Ramonda” lyrics — Teya Dora (Serbia Eurovision 2024)

Songwriter Andrijano Kadović Ajzi & Teodora Pavlovska (Teya Dora)