AZERBAIJAN: Finalists Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal chosen to represent the country in Eurovision 2011

Record ID: 218125

  • Title: AZERBAIJAN: Finalists Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal chosen to represent the country in Eurovision 2011
  • Date: 17th February 2011
  • Summary: VARIOUS PEOPLE WATCHING AND DANCING ALONG TO EUROVISION CONTEST SHOWN ON BIG SCREEN IN THE STREET CONTESTANT PERFORMING SONG CHILD IN AUDIENCE WAVING AZERBAIJAN FLAG CONTESTANTS SINGING AND DANCING ON STAGE AUDIENCE CLAPPING CONTESTANT SINGING 'CRY ME A RIVER' JUDGES DISCUSSING CONTESTANTS FINALIST NIGAR JAMAL SINGING ON STAGE GIRLS IN AUDIENCE DANCING TO MUSIC EL
  • Embargoed: 4th March 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan
  • Country: Azerbaijan
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVA9OAXSS914OGE5S9O751BDP1QK
  • Story Text: After a night of singing and dancing performances in central Baku on Friday (February 11), a jury chose two contestants to represent its country in a duet at the Eurovision 2011 song contest.
    In a competition that lasted for over three hours, and was broadcast to passers-by on the street via giant screens and loudspeakers, Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal were chosen to represent Azerbaijan in the 56th Eurovision event.
    Nigar, who was born in Baku but has lived in London since 2005, performs mainly soul, pop and RnB songs. Her duet partner. Eldar studied at the German Vocal School, but is currently working towards a masters in international relations in Baku.
    At a press conference after the competition, Eldar's confidence shone through.
    "God willing, we'll do everything to win the contest and bring Eurovision 2012 to Azerbaijan. I am sure that we will win at the Eurovision contest in Germany," said Eldar Gasimov.
    Azerbaijan's debut at the annual Eurovision song contest was in 2008.
    Residents in Baku seem to agree with the judges' choice.
    "I really liked it. I really liked Eldar from the very beginning and I was cheering for him. I wanted him to make it to the finals," said one woman in Baku, Esmer Agaeva, the morning after the finalists had been chosen.
    The song to be performed by Nigar and Eldar in the upcoming Eurovision contest will be chosen later by a professional jury.
    Eurovision 2011 will be held in May in Dusseldorf, Germany. Its contestants will perform on live television, and the winners will be chosen by a jury and call-in voting from viewers.
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