Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

ESC National Year
Year = 2008
Country = AZE
Preselection = Land of Fire
Preselection date = 2 February 2008
Entrant = Elnur Hüseynov
and Samir Javadzadeh
Song = "Day After Day"
SF result = "Qualified" (6th, 96 points)
Final result = 8th, 132 points
Azerbaijan's selection for an entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 took place in the form of a national selection on 2 February 2008. Initially, the Azeri broadcaster held castings calls for artists interested to represent the nation at the international competition. Behind closed doors, several candidates were selected by a jury to advance to the next round. These candidates were condensed to three participants: Elnur Hüseynov, Aynur Isgandarli, and the band Unformal. [ cite web | title = Exclusive: 3 Finalists for Azerbaijan known | url = http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10086 Esctoday En icon]

National Final

İTV spearheaded a selection campaign and developed a show that is set to feature Eurovision stars such as Eurovision Song Contest 2004 winner Ruslana, Eurovision Song Contest 2007 winner Marija Serifovic, and Eurovision Song Contest 2003 winner Sertab Erener. [ cite web | title = Exclusive: Azeri final with Marija & Ruslana to be webcast | url = http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10083 Esctoday En icon] In addition to terrestrial broadcast, the final will be transmitted on Turkish television TRT, Georgian GEGT and a live television bridge with Lithuanian LRT. [ cite web | title = ITV prepares state of the art show for Saturday | url = http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=2383 Oikotimes En icon] [ cite web | title = Exclusive: Lithuanian TV link to Azerbaijan | url = http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10339 Esctoday En icon] The show will also be streamed live through the official Eurovision website channel, ESCtv. [ cite web | title = Exclusive: Azeri final with Marija & Ruslana to be webcast | url = http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10083 Esctoday En icon]

The national final started at 17:30 CET and the winners press conference was set to start at 19:30 CET. [ cite web | title = Exclusive: Azerbaijan song will not be known at final | url = http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10335 Esctoday En icon] The winner of the national competition was decided by a combination of jury and televoting results, however, the selection determined the performer; it was an option for the song to be changed. [ cite web | title = Azerbaijan 2008 / Азербайджан 2008 | url = http://esckaz.com/2008/aze.htm Esckaz En icon Ru icon]

The winner was Elnur Hüseynov feat. Samir Javadzadeh with the song Day After Day.

At Eurovision

Azerbaijan made its début in the Eurovision taking part in the first semi-final on 20 May 2008. It qualified as the fourth country pulled out and will be in the Eurovision final on Sunday 24 May 2008. Azerbaijan was drawn 20th in the Final. [ [http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=1041 The official website of the Eurovision Song Contest. First Semi-Final: Winners Press Conference.] ] In the final the Azerbaijani duet Elnur Hüseynov and Samir Javadzadeh finished 8th with 132 points.

pokespersons

For the 2008 contest the spokesperson for the Azerbaijan broadcast was Leyla Aliyeva. [citeweb| title = Azerbaijan: President's daughter to announce votes| url = http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/11297| accessdate = 2008-05-07 ]

References

ee also

*Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest