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AZERBAIJAN HOSTS EUROVISION CLASH OF GENERATIONS
AFP - RELAXNEWS (English International Version)
May 22, 2012 Tuesday
Azerbaijan this week hosts the Eurovision song contest, the biggest
event the ex-Soviet state has ever held, where singing pensioners
will challenge the younger generation for the kitsch pop crown.
The run-up to the event has been marred by accusations over
Azerbaijan's rights record and forced evictions of locals, but the
government is hoping the event will be a unique shop window for the
increasingly glitzy capital Baku.
Among the favourites at the 57th edition are a troupe of dancing
grannies from an obscure Russian village, the Buranovskiye Babushki,
and veteran British crooner Engelbert Humperdinck who first topped
the UK charts 45 years ago in the era of the Beatles.
At 76, Humperdinck will be the oldest male ever to sing at Eurovision,
while one of the traditionally-costumed Russian ensemble will be the
oldest woman.
Forty-two countries will compete for musical supremacy and national
pride in Baku, where Eurovision is being held for the first time after
duo Ell and Nikki won in the German city of Duesseldorf last year.
Sweden's high-energy techno-pop entry "Euphoria" by Loreen is this
year's best bet according to many bookmakers, who also tip Russia,
Italy, Serbia, Romania and Britain as potential challengers at the
televised contest watched by an estimated 125 million people around
the world.
As usual most of the contestants will be singing in English, although
Russia's Buranovskiye Babushki will deliver some lines in their Udmurt
language and the peculiarly-named Austrian entrants Trackshittaz
promise "tractor gangster party rap" lyrics in a little-known regional
dialect.
There will be two semi-finals on May 22 and 24, with 10 from each
going on to the final on May 26 alongside Azerbaijan, France, Germany,
Italy, Spain and Britain.
International viewers can vote for their favourites in the final by
phone or text message and these results will then be merged with scores
awarded by professional juries in each country to reach a verdict.
Some past winners, like Swedish pop maestros Abba who triumphed in
1974 with the irrepressibly catchy "Waterloo", have gone on to lasting
fame and critical acclaim.
Other entrants however have been mercilessly mocked for their inane
kindergarten-style lyrics, even though the competition's initial
aim was to "stimulate the output of original, high-quality songs",
according to the book "Eurovision Song Contest: The Official History".
The authorities in Azerbaijan, an oil-rich, mainly Muslim state of 9.2
million people, hope the contest will attract international acclaim
to a country until now mainly known as an energy exporter on Europe's
eastern fringe.
Unlike some European countries which see Eurovision as little more
than frivolous fun, Azerbaijan has treated it like an event of major
political significance, spending millions of dollars on beautifying
the capital.
The organisers have promised a spectacular show spiced up with elements
of traditional Azerbaijani culture at the ultramodern, purpose-built
Crystal Hall on Baku's Caspian Sea shore.
"Eurovision will make Azerbaijan famous worldwide. It is our pride that
it's being held here in Baku," said local student Lala Mirzoyeva, 22.
"I'm so happy that I managed to buy tickets and I will be part of
this historic event," said another, 31-year-old banker Ramil Salayev.
But rights groups accuse the government led by strongman President
Ilham Aliyev of systematically violating human rights, jailing
opponents, persecuting journalists and suppressing free speech.
There has also been concern over the evictions of tenants whose homes
were demolished as part of an urban regeneration project which includes
the Crystal Hall.
"Azerbaijan is doing its best to put on a show but people should
know about the real problems behind all the glitz and glamour,"
said Giorgi Gogia of campaign group Human Rights Watch.
Neighbour Armenia has meanwhile boycotted this year's contest, citing
alleged security concerns after the Azerbaijani president described
Armenians as enemies.
AFP - RELAXNEWS (English International Version)
May 22, 2012 Tuesday
Azerbaijan this week hosts the Eurovision song contest, the biggest
event the ex-Soviet state has ever held, where singing pensioners
will challenge the younger generation for the kitsch pop crown.
The run-up to the event has been marred by accusations over
Azerbaijan's rights record and forced evictions of locals, but the
government is hoping the event will be a unique shop window for the
increasingly glitzy capital Baku.
Among the favourites at the 57th edition are a troupe of dancing
grannies from an obscure Russian village, the Buranovskiye Babushki,
and veteran British crooner Engelbert Humperdinck who first topped
the UK charts 45 years ago in the era of the Beatles.
At 76, Humperdinck will be the oldest male ever to sing at Eurovision,
while one of the traditionally-costumed Russian ensemble will be the
oldest woman.
Forty-two countries will compete for musical supremacy and national
pride in Baku, where Eurovision is being held for the first time after
duo Ell and Nikki won in the German city of Duesseldorf last year.
Sweden's high-energy techno-pop entry "Euphoria" by Loreen is this
year's best bet according to many bookmakers, who also tip Russia,
Italy, Serbia, Romania and Britain as potential challengers at the
televised contest watched by an estimated 125 million people around
the world.
As usual most of the contestants will be singing in English, although
Russia's Buranovskiye Babushki will deliver some lines in their Udmurt
language and the peculiarly-named Austrian entrants Trackshittaz
promise "tractor gangster party rap" lyrics in a little-known regional
dialect.
There will be two semi-finals on May 22 and 24, with 10 from each
going on to the final on May 26 alongside Azerbaijan, France, Germany,
Italy, Spain and Britain.
International viewers can vote for their favourites in the final by
phone or text message and these results will then be merged with scores
awarded by professional juries in each country to reach a verdict.
Some past winners, like Swedish pop maestros Abba who triumphed in
1974 with the irrepressibly catchy "Waterloo", have gone on to lasting
fame and critical acclaim.
Other entrants however have been mercilessly mocked for their inane
kindergarten-style lyrics, even though the competition's initial
aim was to "stimulate the output of original, high-quality songs",
according to the book "Eurovision Song Contest: The Official History".
The authorities in Azerbaijan, an oil-rich, mainly Muslim state of 9.2
million people, hope the contest will attract international acclaim
to a country until now mainly known as an energy exporter on Europe's
eastern fringe.
Unlike some European countries which see Eurovision as little more
than frivolous fun, Azerbaijan has treated it like an event of major
political significance, spending millions of dollars on beautifying
the capital.
The organisers have promised a spectacular show spiced up with elements
of traditional Azerbaijani culture at the ultramodern, purpose-built
Crystal Hall on Baku's Caspian Sea shore.
"Eurovision will make Azerbaijan famous worldwide. It is our pride that
it's being held here in Baku," said local student Lala Mirzoyeva, 22.
"I'm so happy that I managed to buy tickets and I will be part of
this historic event," said another, 31-year-old banker Ramil Salayev.
But rights groups accuse the government led by strongman President
Ilham Aliyev of systematically violating human rights, jailing
opponents, persecuting journalists and suppressing free speech.
There has also been concern over the evictions of tenants whose homes
were demolished as part of an urban regeneration project which includes
the Crystal Hall.
"Azerbaijan is doing its best to put on a show but people should
know about the real problems behind all the glitz and glamour,"
said Giorgi Gogia of campaign group Human Rights Watch.
Neighbour Armenia has meanwhile boycotted this year's contest, citing
alleged security concerns after the Azerbaijani president described
Armenians as enemies.