MUSIC : SINGER NEISHA, STAR OF A YOUNG ROCKING PRESIDENCY.

The young, 25-year-old singer, Neisha, has been chosen to open the festivities to mark the launch of the Slovenian Presidency of the European Union. This is highly symbolic for the young nation, which itself is barely 18 years old. But don't be misled! Slovenia has been preparing for this Presidency for a number of years. Neisha, too, has had a few years to prepare. Classically trained, three years ago she changed direction to pursue a pop-rock career path. Her first album, released in September 2005, was an immediate hit. In 2006, she won the 'Viktor', the most coveted prize in her country. Today, she is one of Slovenia's biggest stars and her concerts are often sold out.

Accompanying jazz music, her voice, which to the sound of a piano note or the strum of a guitar can, according to music specialists, create a light pop atmosphere in the image of Norah Jones or Alicia Keyes, is undoubtedly a key element of her talent. But "my inspiration is broader than that," she admitted to Europolitics. "From pop to funky, to rhythm and blues, to ethnic. I sing Sting, Peter Gabriel or Sade, even funky like...