Kaliopi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kaliopi
Background information
Native name	Калиопи
Birth name	Kaliopi Bukleska
Born	(1966-12-28) 28 December 1966 (age 58) Ohrid, SR Macedonia, SFR Yugoslavia
Genres	Pop rock opera
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals piano
Years active	1976–present
Labels	Kaliopi Music Production Hayat Production Hit Records City Records
Associated acts	"Kaliopi" (Band)

Kaliopi Bukle (born December 28, 1966) is a famous singer and songwriter from North Macedonia. She is known professionally as Kaliopi. Her career started in the 1980s when she sang lead vocals for her band, also called "Kaliopi". Since then, she has become a well-known singer and composer in North Macedonia and other countries that were once part of Yugoslavia.

Kaliopi has represented Macedonia twice in the Eurovision Song Contest. First, in 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan, with her song "Crno i belo". She returned a second time in 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden, with the song "Dona".

Biography

Kaliopi's Early Life and Music Start

Kaliopi was born in Ohrid and grew up in Kičevo. She loved music from a very young age. In 1976, when she was just 10 years old, she won a children's festival in Macedonia called "Zlatno Slavejče" with her song "Mojata učitelka".

She later toured with a choir named "Razvigorče" between 1978 and 1980. They performed in countries like Czechoslovakia, Slovenia, and Austria. Kaliopi also studied singing for four years and continued her music training in 1984. In the same year, she competed in a singing contest in Yugoslavia and came in third place, even though she was the youngest classical music singer there.

Forming the Band "Kaliopi" and Early Albums

In 1984, Kaliopi started a band with Romeo Grill. They recorded their first two songs, "Tomi" and "Nemoj da me budis". The band won an award for "best interpretation" at the Festival Opatija for their song "Leo".

In 1986, the band released their first album, also called "Kaliopi". That same year, they won an award for "best new performer" at the Split Festival for their song "Da more zna". In 1987, their second album, "Rodjeni", became very popular. It included the hit song "Rodjeni (Bato)". The band was very busy, performing at festivals and on TV. They even toured in the Soviet Union. At the peak of their fame, Kaliopi and Romeo Grill moved to Switzerland. After some time away and the breakup of Yugoslavia, the band officially broke up.

Kaliopi's Solo Comeback and New Albums

Kaliopi returned to music as a solo artist in Macedonia. In 1996, she tried to represent Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 with her song "Samo ti". She won the national selection, but Macedonia was unfortunately removed from the contest before the main event. She tried again in 1998 but placed ninth.

Kaliopi then focused on building her solo career. She wrote songs for other artists and released her first solo album, "Oboi me", in 1999. She promoted the album with TV shows and a tour. In 2000, Kaliopi started her own record label, Kaliopi Music Production.

In 2001, she released a new album called "Ako denot mi e nokj". This album had popular songs like "Na pat do Makedonija" and "Dali me sakas". She promoted it with a TV documentary and a concert tour across Macedonia. In 2002, Kaliopi released the single "Najmila" and a live album.

New Music and Celebrating 30 Years

In 2003, Kaliopi released her third album, "Ne mi go zemaj vremeto". It included duets with other artists, like "Bel den" with Esma Redžepova. This album also had her first songs in the Serbo-Croatian language, reaching a wider audience. In 2004, Kaliopi starred in the first musical from Macedonia, called "Cija si".

In 2006, Kaliopi released the song "1000 Bozji Cvetovi". She also competed in the Macedonian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with "Silna", placing sixth. Later that year, she celebrated 30 years as an artist with a big concert in Skopje. She performed her greatest hits and was joined by special guests.

International Success and Collaborations

Kaliopi became more popular in Croatia and signed a record deal there in 2007. She released her first single, "Probudi me", and a "Best of" album. She also composed a song for a film and was a judge at an Albanian music event.

In 2008, Kaliopi released an album in Serbo-Croatian called "Želim ti reći". She performed at various festivals across former Yugoslavia. In 2009, she continued to participate in festivals, winning awards for her performances.

In 2009, Kaliopi released "Oblivion", an album she made with Edin Karamazov. This album featured 11 famous songs sung in nine different languages, with music played on a lute and guitar. They promoted the album with concerts in 2010. Kaliopi also recorded songs for other music projects, including a posthumous release of songs by the late singer Toše Proeski. In 2010, Kaliopi released the album "Poraka", which included duets with other singers.

Eurovision Song Contest 2012

On November 19, 2011, MRT chose Kaliopi to represent Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan. She performed the song "Crno i belo", which she wrote the lyrics for, and Romeo Grill composed the music.

After a four-year break, Kaliopi helped Macedonia reach the Eurovision finals again. Her song qualified from the second semi-final on May 24, 2012. In the final on May 26, 2012, she placed thirteenth, scoring 71 points. Before Eurovision, Kaliopi promoted her song in many countries.

The release of "Crno i belo" also marked Kaliopi's renewed collaboration with Romeo Grill after 12 years. They continued to work together, releasing the album "Melem" in February 2013.

Album Melem and Other Songs

In 2013, Kaliopi's fans from all over the world took part in a karaoke competition called "Kaliopi Fan Festival". Fans voted online for the best video covers of songs from her album "Melem".

In 2015, Kaliopi released new singles like "Mojot Dom", "Poželi", and the acoustic ballad "Jutro".

Eurovision Song Contest 2016

Kaliopi representing Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.

On November 24, 2015, MRT announced that Kaliopi would represent Macedonia again at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm. Her song was "Dona", released on March 7, 2016. Kaliopi performed "Dona" on May 12, 2016, during the second semi-final of Eurovision. However, she did not qualify for the final on May 14, placing 11th in her semi-final.

Discography

Studio albums

with Group Kaliopi

• 1986: "Kaliopi"
• 1987: "Rodjeni"

Solo

• 2000: "Oboi Me"
• 2001: "Ako Denot Mi E Nokj"
• 2004: "Ne Mi Go Zemaj Vremeto"
• 2008: "Zelim Ti Reci"
• 2010: "Poraka" and "Poruka"
• 2013: "Melem"
• 2024: "Album"

with Edin Karamazov

• 2009: "Oblivion"

Live albums

• 2002: "Najmila – Live and Unreleased"
• 2006: "Kaliopi Live" (DVD Album)

Instrumental albums

• 2005: "Me, Isadora"

Compilation albums

• 2007: "The Best Of"

Awards and Achievements

See also

In Spanish: Kaliopi para niños

• Music of North Macedonia
• SFR Yugoslav Pop and Rock scene
• Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012
• Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016