Azure skies for Azerbaijan’s Eurovision
Filed under: Eurovision, News
Yesterday, I saw a Dutch film on a Middle-Eastern country, featuring the way people there organise music and entertainment contests. The only thing that participants are allowed to do by way of choreography, is to snap their fingers. Any form of outspoken excitement is banned. Women are not allowed to the stage at all.
Never mind what this image might make you think - the cultural difference is fascinating and definitely worth seeing.
In this sense, I was interested to read that Abulfas Garayev, Azerbaijan’s Culture and Tourism Minister, said that they are working more and more on the country’s joining the Eurovision Song Contest not later than 2008. For more information, visit http://en.apa.az/news.php?id=36706
Wonder where the boundaries of European music can be posed? Are we facing here the phenomenon of music that has no borders..? If Israel, Georgia, Moldova, and now Azerbaijan participate in a European music forum, shall we expect the US joining in shortly? Or Australia, where indeed Eurovision enjoys huge popularity. And why not? For one thing, last year Georgia’s ESC entrant Sopho with her Visionary Dream was amazing with the combination of ethnic and European, a blend between national folk and world-wide house music.
The ESC is not necessarily reserved for European countries only. The only thing that worries me is that in a couple of years, we’ll end up with 10 instead of 2 Semi-Finals.
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October 18th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Hi,I don’t think there is any reason for you to be worried. Firstly, Azerbaijan is not a middle eastern country. It Is a part Eastern Europe. Therefore, it is a member of the “Council of Europe ” and a part of the “UEFA”. The example that you have brought at the beginning, has not relevance what so ever, to this topic. Azerbaijan has many female singers, even more then men and they don’t just “Click their fingers” on stage. I don’t think you should jump to conclusions, when you have not actually seen what Azerbaijan itself does.Besides, I don’t see why Azerbaijan shouldn’t participate, if Armenia and Giorgia have. Thanks:)
October 18th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Hi Dana,
Thank you for your note. True, Azerbaijan has long been a member of the CE, and indeed, it IS part of Europe in political terms. (don’t dare to discuss the geographical dimension). Fair enough for the opening part and I agree I have to read more on the country’s history and modern life. Perhaps I was all too agitated after the documentary I saw about one of its neighbouring countries, and true, I kinda jumped at a conclusion. But you also have to admit that I’m well-meaning saying “the cultural difference is fascinating and definitely worth seeing”. Perhaps the news about the new format of the Contest influenced me a lot too - a modest measure to deal with the huge number of participants. I’m more and more happy when I see new countries joining in, and doing our best to keep the oldest ones as well. Thanks for your comment and keep an eye on Eurovision.
January 24th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Azerbaijan has no own culture.
This folk was made by the Soviet Government.
They can just steal music from Armenia , Georgia and Iran.
February 4th, 2008 at 3:07 am
gio
you are armenian FRAUD !!!
February 4th, 2008 at 6:16 am
Azerbaijan is a part of Eastern Europe, and as it was mentioned here before, is a member of CE and UEFA. And, now, finally, joins the Eurovision, too. It’s actually a shame that so little is known about my country in Europe, so at least now we can share our music. Yes, there are cultural differences, but you have to visit Baku (the capital) and find the fascinating similarities with European culture as well. And by the way, women are well educated, independent, and they are present in every aspect of social, political and economic life of the country.
February 4th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Do not draw attention!!!
Armenia has no culture. They are can only steal Azerbaijanian music and culture.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:46 am
People, There is no need to insult eachother.
I think that every educated peson should know what is Azerbaijan and how rich is its culture. If somebody doesn’t know that or doesn’t want to know , it just shows his illeteracy.
February 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
If Armenia has wealthy curtural heritage ,why Armenian singers friquently infringe the copyrights of Azeri composers by stealing our folk songs ?
February 5th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Armenia has no culture!!!!!! They are can only steal Azerbaijanian music and culture!!!!!!!!.
February 7th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Exactly!!! Why do Armenians act soooo dumb?? Is it not them who stole land from Azerbaijan, is it not them who claim that Azeri instruments are theirs and is it not them who say Azeri folk songs belong to them?? They r just a nation of fraud, made of bits and pieces of different countries’ culture. I don’t even understand what they want from Azerbaijan!! They have taken a lot from Azerbaijan and they still blame Azeris and accuse Azeris. It makes no sense!! Wot more do they want?? Armenians are a nation who cannot admit the truth. HAHAHAHAHAH “gio” you r a joker!!! U r saying that Azerbaijan has no culture of its own and it was the soviet republic that created it. Well if u were intelligent enough, u would have known that way before USSR, Azerbaijan was a well cilivised country with its own rich culture and traditions. You Armenians make me laugh sooo much, cos u r soo not well not informed. Don’t u learn anything. I think u should just get over yourselves, but do carry on with your silly comments cos it just makes me crack up!! LOL
Anway enough of that!! GOOD LUCK FROM ENGLAND, ELNUR!!!
March 5th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Bravo, DANA!
but still i think we must do a lot untill all the truth comes out. I beleive that, this day is not so far.Azerbaijan in all his history has been strugling against hipocracy, jeleoucy. What I like in Azerbaijan, that nation they are so modest, simple,kind, with well manners, they never bring themselve down to the level of their enemy. They are keeping safe their folk and music after so many years of invasions by arabs, persians and russian.They have so rich culture,specially music,that is why it is normal to face so much jeleoucy from other countries which they can not bare it.
GOOG LUCK, AZERBAIJAN!