Azerbaijan's Ell and Nikki, left, celebrate on stage with fellow performers after winning the Eurovision Song Contest.
Posted on 05/15/2011 9:11:01 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
AZERBAIJAN has scored a spectacular first win in the 56th Eurovision Song Contest, Europe's annual pop extravaganza watched by tens of millions of people.
Eurovision tradition dictates that Azerbaijan's victory means the 2012 competition will be held in the resource-rich former Soviet republic often criticised by campaign groups for its poor human rights record.
"Now Europe will really learn about Azerbaijan," accountant Sakina Akhmedova said yesterday in the republic, a 9.1-million-strong mainly Muslim but officially secular state on the Caspian Sea. "It's a great advertisement for a country like this."
Ignoring heavy rain as they danced, chanted and waved flags, thousands partied through the night in the centre of Baku, the Azerbaijan capital, after duo Ell and Nikki were announced as the winners.
In Dusseldorf, their catchy love song, Running Scared, was voted the best of the 25 finalists by fans watching at home and by "expert" juries in 43 countries in Europe and beyond.
"Thank you, we love you," said Ell, 20, real name Eldar Gasimov. "Thanks to God and to my granddad . . . Our dream came true. From the first day I believed we could do it . . . The world needs more true love."
It was only the fourth time Azerbaijan had competed in Eurovision, one of the world's longest running television programs and a chance for Europeans to forget the continent's woes and let their hair down.
"I can hardly imagine how people are feeling back home today," said Nikki, 31, whose full name is Nigar Jamal and who lives in London and has the accent to prove it.
They saw off strong competition from Germany's Lena, who was hoping to become the first person in Eurovision's long history to win two years running, spiky-haired Irish twins Jedward and French tenor Amaury Vassili.
A number from Zdob si Zbub, a difficult-to-pronounce group of lively Moldovans in "cosmic" pointy hats, looked a strong contender, as did songs by Sjonni's Friends from Iceland and Italian crooner Raphael Gualazzi.
Italy was second and Sweden came third. Germany was 10th, ahead of Britain, while France, the bookies' favourite, was 15th. Bringing up the rear were Spain and Estonia, with Switzerland last. Ireland came eighth.
Here they are singing in a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvZlEAP5Z28
Here’s the woman, real name Nigar Jamal, singing” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgBB2xdxsps&feature=related
Thanks for the video... honestly, I DON’T GET THE MUSIC ( but that’s just me ). Maybe others who get it or love it can tell us what makes this music so great compared to the say, ABBA ( who won Eurovision with their song WATERLOO ).
I thought Azerbaijan was in Asia, not Europe. Them entering the Eurovision contest makes as much sense as the United States or Pennsylvania entering it. I do admit, I’ll be 45 i July so I don’t get a lot of today’s music either. Give me Phil Collins, Eddie Money, Wham! or KISS anyday. B-)
I don’t get it either. It all sounds like the usual pop music with no special quality to it at all.
And now, to cleanse your musical palate:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MA0m1K2jW4
or to turn your brain to goo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPRt6Tt6RyM
I think American viewers are more familiar with Benny Hill’s parodies of this contest than with the actual contest, itself. :)
Established winning acts include 60s singer Lulu who won in a four way tie ( 1969, UK ). 80s one hit wonder “Katrina and the Waves” won in 1997 also representing the UK.
Eurovision tradition dictates that Azerbaijan's victory means the 2012 competition will be held in the resource-rich former Soviet republic often criticised by campaign groups for its poor human rights record... a 9.1-million-strong mainly Muslim but officially secular state on the Caspian Sea.The real talents in European music can be seen here:
Softly spoken Loreen, a 28-year-old of Moroccan-Berber descent, thanked her fans for their support.
A stunning Berber.
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