Eurovision Heads to Baku
Azerbaijan may be the next Ireland when it comes to dominating Eurovision. Ireland has won the competition seven times — including three times in a row in 1992, 1993 and 1994. But the Azeris are competitive and the country, which had its debut entry in 2008, has a bit of momentum.
As 2012 begins, participant countries are selecting their representative and Baku hotels are filling up as Azerbaijan gets ready to host the Eurovision Song Contest. Azerbaijan won the honor of hosting the competition through its victory in Eurovision2011. The nation was represented by pop duo Ell & Nikki. The coupled was the first mixed-gender duo to win the contest since 1963, which is all the most surprising given that prior to the release of their song Running Scared, neither had performed as part of a duo.
However, last year’s victory was didn’t come out of the blue. Azerbaijan had been laying a solid foundation since first joining the Eurovision fray. The country earned the country 3rd place in Moscow in 2009 and buoyed by this success, in 2010, Azerbaijan went all in. The country reportedly invested 2 million Euros on the PR campaign for their selected representative – Safura. In addition, the music video for her song Drip Drop was choreographed by Beyonce’s choreographer and directed by Hollywood director Rupert Wainwright. Safura did well and came in 5th place.
With a couple of back to back top finishers and a new song, Azerbaijan went on to victory in 2011. Now they are set to host in 2012. A special concert complex named Baku Crystal Hall is being constructed and the country, as it did with Safura, is sure to put in as much effort as if take to put on a good show.
If you are heading to Baku hotel options are numerous but book early for this popular event. Then get ready for the show. The competition will be fierce. Jedward has promised to compete again, so Ireland may bring home an eighth victory. But don’t rule out Azerbaijan.
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