Eurovision Azerbaijan - Baku 2012?

Azerbaijan finally won Eurovision this year after trying very hard since 2009, but is Azerbaijan ready for such a big event? thats what i keep asking myself since may.

I havent write my opinions about the final and the results but its time to talk about this issue.

In June the EBU and Ictimai TV got a meeting to see what are the plans for next year but August is close and we dont know yet if its going to be on Baku.

In the article posted on Eurovision.tv about the meeting this was very interesting:

In line with standard requirements that have to be fulfilled to host the Eurovision Song Contest, the government of Azerbaijan has been requested by the EBU to provide guarantees about security during the event, as well as freedom of expression, according to Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and in line with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, to all participants, fans, accredited journalists and the individual citizens of the country that access official Eurovision Song Contest premises. The EBU also requested that all accredited individuals and ticket holders shall receive sufficient entrance visa for the required duration.

I think its going to be in Baku, cause im sure Azerbaijan wont lose this big oportunity. Its a bit complicated to give an opinion about this cause i dont want to be on any side, im just going to say that i dont have anything against Azerbaijan. Im just going to give some opinions about what we have right now:

The Organising Committee:
Chairman: Mehriban Aliyeva

Elmar Mammadyarov– Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan
Ramil Usubov– Interior Minister of Azerbaijan
Shahin Mustafayev– Economic Development Minister of Azerbaijan
Abulfas Garayev– Culture and Tourism Minister of Azerbaijan
Ali Abbasov– Communication and Information Technology Minister of Azerbaijan
Azad Rahimov– Youth and Sports Minister of Azerbaijan
Hajibala Abutalibov– Mayor of Baku
Cahangir Asgarov– President of Azerbaijan Airways CJSC
Etibar Pirverdiyev– President of Azerenergy OJSC
Baba Rzayev– Chairman of Bakielektrikshabaka OJSC
Ismayil Omarov– Director General of Icimati Public Television and Radio Company
Ali Asadov– Aid to Azerbaijani President for Economic Affairs
Fatma Abdullazade– Head of humanitarian policy department at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration

I dont know if the committee has to be too political but arent there too many ministers and the First Lady is the Chairman. Its Eurovision, they are not in a committee for making changes in the constitution or making a cultural act for Azerbaijan national day.

Then the next issue is the arena. They want to build an amazing, huge and fabulous arena in a very short time and to me thats kinda dangerous.

Now its time to talk about Armenia, everyone is talking about this. Should Armenia participate? Is Armenia going to Azerbaijan? and more. I will comment this thinking of Eurovision cause im really not into the History of Azerbaijan vs Armenia, of course i know some things from both sides cause i talk with people from both countries but im not that into it and Eurovision is a song contest so i dont have to care about that in my blog. Its interesting cause Armenia and Azerbaijan have been very good in Eurovision and i think Armenia should participate next year but will Azerbaijan let them?.

Well i read some news about Azerbaijan saying that they will guarantee security to the Armenian delegation but what about the fans? are the Armenian fans welcome? I have a lot of doutbs about that cause there are facts in the Azerbaijan vs Armenia history in Eurovision. The most shocking to me was the Azerbaijans authorities asking for explinations to the 43 people who voted for Armenia in 2009. It sounds like a joke but it was true and to me its unbelieveable. You can read more of the relations of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Eurovision here.

I want Armenia to participate next year cause they always send good songs (ignoring this year, of course) and i hope the find a great song and artist to send next year.

To finish im just going to say that whatever happens its going to be ok, i think the EBU will take their decision soon and im sure everything will be great next year. I just want the right things for Eurovision and imo i think Azerbaijan is not ready to be in charge of such a big event like Eurovision. So what if the EBU says its not going to be in Azerbaijan?, How big will be the Drama?, Who will be host country?, Italy? (I dont think so, they came back this year but i dont know if the would like to be the host), Sweden? (Well they really want to, so im sure they would say YES and actually they are like the real winners of this year, the song was made by swedish composers, Choreography: Made in Sweden, Backing vocals: Shirleys Angels and the other 2 girls are Swedish, their clothes was made in Sweden sooo Eldar and Nigar were the only thing made in Azerbaijan. So im in if its going to be in Sweden but right now is Baku 2012 and all we have to do is wait to see whats going to happen.

New Video: Harel Skaat - Love awaits me

I think i said i really like him before but i have to say it again, he is wonderful and i love him. The video is good and he looks so CUTE!, the song is great and he is very talented and i really hope to see him on Eurovision again with the right song cause im sure he can win.

Ruslana: "The secret of Eurovision is to be original and to be yourself"

Its July and the best way to start this month is with an interview but its much better if the interview its with one of the most talented, creative and amazing artists. She made us dance like wild dancers in 2004 and with all her energy won the contest.It's a big pleasure for me to ask her some questions and here we have the answers of Ruslana!

I will start asking you how are you right now?
I’m working hard on a new album right now. All last summer and part of autumn I worked on my new album in a fantastic studio in Los Angeles in the US. I want to show that Ruslana can be different. I was a gentle, sensual princess of spring at the beginning of my career, then I was a wild and free woman from the mountain tops, then a female element – the Amazon.

And now I will be fresh, I will be new, I will be WOW (smiling).

We have already released the first single and video. The song is called WOW. I believe we will release the second single very soon.

I know you have been doing some shows in Romania & Bulgaria, what is the general reaction of the audience when you are doing shows in their countries? are you going to do shows in other countries soon?
The reaction was great. The audience was awesome. I’m very pleased to be invited to Romania quite often. It’s a wonderful land with a rich culture and an interesting history. During our visit to Sofia (Bulgaria), I participated in the most popular Bulgarian TV show - Slavi’s Show on bTV. I already was the guest of this show few years ago.

This time I performed my new single WOW! I spent wonderful time in bough of these beautiful countries.
In the beginning of autumn I will have shows in US and China.

You are promoting your new song "Wow", can you tell us what is the song about? what did you want to show or tell to your fans with this song?
The track was recorded in Los Angeles by sound-producer Luke Tozour, who worked with Katy Perry and Pink and mixed by sound producer Richie Stites, who worked with Michael Jackson, Outkast, Tupac Shakur.
The song was written by me in a cooperation with Alexander Ksenofontov (TFC band leader and the singer’s husband) and Vlad Debryansky (Jack Spade, TFC band lead guitar).
The single WOW made in a genre of parody.

It’s ironic and sarcastic about people who consider themselves “so amazing!” and such traits character as narcissism, selfishness in love, self-affirmation at the expense of the beloved.

Wow have a WOW video, i have to tell you that the video its amazing, i love it. What is the idea of the video? How did you feel filming it?
Thank you! The shooting took place on a exotic location - Kyiv Lenin Smithy shipbuilding plant. The main idea - a competition. A battle between girls and boys - who is better, who is cooler and more AMAZING. This is the battle of two styles and images: “Ruslana-boy” on a powerful iron horse Harley vs “Ruslana-girl” in a rock glam style on a shiny Lamborghini.

In the final episode we can watch Street Dance Hip Hop Battle between her two alter egos: Ruslana VS Ruslana!. The music video was directed by Semen Gorov. Director of photography – Brandon Cox.

Are you preparing a new album? It is already done? or when we will get a new album from you?
The new album will be released this year. I hope that it will be released not only in Europe, but worldwide. I am working with some amazing people in the US. It will be a very joyful, happy album with tones of positive mood. It will be a new Ruslana.

I hope im not wrong, but you are participating in a talent tv show in Ukraine? what can you tell me about that? what is the show about? and how do you feel in it?
You are absolutely right! I’m one of the couches in the The Voice talent show.
The Voice is a multinational singing competition television franchise. It started in the Netherlands as The Voice of Holland in 2010, followed by an American debut series called The Voice in April to June 2011. And now it’s in Ukraine. It’s huge! The best thing about this show is that we are choosing voice and not matter how one looks.

You were present in this year eurovision cause you were one of the juries in the Ukrainian National Final and you were the one who gave the Ukrainian votes in the final,What do you thing about the competition, songs and results of the Eurovision 2011?
I like this year's Eurovision winners, the guys from Azerbaijan, because they were touching, sincere, romantic. They deserved to win!
I liked the performance by Amaury Vassili from France, Zdob si Zdub, Blue. It’s a pity that Dana International didn’t make it into the Final.

Some contestants are trying to make an impression, pretending to be someone else, not themselves. But the secret of Eurovision is to be original and to be yourself.


Ukraine is one of the most successful countries in Eurovision but in the last two years it has been one of the most controversial talking about the national selections, you were in the juries this year, how did you feel being there? and what do you think the channel has to improve to make a fair and better national final?
Yes, it’s a pity. If i have to be honest, I think we don’t need all this selection with juries. I think the choice should be made only by the Ukrainians or only by the head of First channel of Ukraine 1TV. And no matter who will win we need to support this choice because he/she will represent Ukraine.

Lets go to back 2004,(i will tell you this as a fan not an interviewer, 2004 was my 2nd year watching Eurovision, you were my favorite and you can’t imagine how happy i was when you won) Before Eurovision you were a famous successful artist in Ukraine, when the national channel asked you to represent Ukraine, how did you feel and why did you said yes? and can you describe your career after winning Eurovision?
I gave the answer very fast ( laughing). Yes, I wanted to represent my country on such a great competition.
It was an honor me!
I’m so thankful for a chance that the Eurovision Song Contest gave me. For me Eurovision was a “window on Europe”. Thanks to this competition, Europe got to know me. It gave me the opportunity to move forward, to conquer new peaks. It gave me a wider audience and opened the boundaries of creativity.


You are the only Ukrainian artist that has won Eurovision, what do you thing Ukraine needs to win again? and which artist do you think can bring the Eurovision to Ukraine?
Yes, we need it. Ukraine is a unique, ancient, beautiful country. I would love us to have a good image in Europe. We have a lot of talented artists. I think the main thing for the artist who want to take part in Eurovision is to be positive, true, original. To have special fire in the eyes, then it could be a good results.

Have you ever thought about coming back to Eurovision? Would you like to represent Ukraine again as an Artist or composer making a song for other artist?
Never say never (smiling). If I ever take part in it again I definitely will surprise you!

Do you have a message to the Eurovision fans?
I love all of my fans with all my heart and I’m grateful to each one of them for voting and making me the winner of Eurovision! I’m very thankful for all the support and love, for every smile that comes my way every day! It means a lot to me!!!
And special thank to you for a good and interesting questions!

Well all i can say is Thanks to Ruslana for the answers and i know we all cant wait for her new album and to see her someday representing Ukraine again.

You can visit Ruslanas official web here.
Be her fan on Facebook here.
Follow her on Twitter here.