Yerevan, Armenia - On New Year's Eve, Aram MP3 was officially announced as the Armenian representative in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest. Since then, his fans have been eagerly awaiting the presentation of his song for Copenhagen. Just one more week, and you will be able to hear it and watch the presentation show live on Eurovision.tv!
In exactly one week from now, on Friday March 14th at 19:00 CET, the Armenian Eurovision entry will be premiered on the First Channel of the Public Television of Armenia in the "Eurovision Song" TV show. Don't miss the chance to watch it live on Eurovision.tv!
Although Aram MP3 has been very secretive about his choice for Copenhagen until now, he at least revealed a little information about his song in our interview below - when we asked him how he would describe his Eurovision entry while using only three words, he answered: "Fight for love." He also shows his versatile talents in music and tells us more about his love for Eurovision. So, many reasons to check out our video interview on Youtube:
Are you excited already? Just a few more days, and then we will find out how exactly Aram's description will translate into his song.
Geneva, Switzerland - The first ever winner of Europe's Favourite TV Show and valued ambassador for the competition, Lys Assia, today is celebrating her 90th birthday.
In 1956 Lys Assia won the first ever edition of the Eurovision Song Contest on home turf in Lugano, Switerland with the song Refrain, and now she still remains an invaluable ambassador for the competition, travelling to it every year to show support for the artists and her adoring fans. Today, this Grand Dame of Europe's Favourite TV Show turned 90 years old. Lys at the Eurovision Song Contest in Lugano in 1956.
Born as Rosa Mina Schärer in Rupperswil, Aargau, Switzerland on the 3rd of March 1924, Lys always wanted to be an entertainer. Initially starting out as a dancer she soon realised that singing was her forté after people told her how beautiful her voice was.
After winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956, Lys went on to participate for Switzerland twice more: in 1957 and 1958 respectively. All in all she had four entries in the contest, as in 1956 each country entered two songs.
Lys went on to sell millions of records all over the world and has had the honour of perfoming for such dignitaries as Queen Elizabeth II, the Egyptian King Faruk and Eva Peron. Her career has also spanned a number of different disciplines extending beyond just music but also into television. See the interview we recorded with Lys in Düsseldorf in 2011:
Today, Lys remains an invaluable ambassador for the competition, still travelling to the host city every year to lend her support to all those taking part. Recently, she has also tried her luck again at taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest by sending songs to the Swiss National Selection, Die grosse EntscheidungsShow in 2012 and 2013 with the songs C'était ma vie and All In Your Head respectively.
All of us at the Eurovision Song Contest would like to wish Lys Assia many happy returns, on this her 90th birthday, and to thank her for all her love and support over the years. Happy Birthday, Lys!
Geneva, Switzerland - Eurovision Song Contest organisers are are happy welcome Portugal and Poland back to the contest and are continuing discussions with more broadcaster for a return in 2015, Jon Ola Sand, the Executive Supervisor says.
There has been a lot of speculation about the list of participants for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest over the past months. What happened?
We have over 30 broadcasters who are dedicated Eurovision Song Contest participants and consider it a highlight on their schedule. We are incredibly proud of that, and appreciate that commitment.
Over the years we have seen countries coming and going, and this year some broadcasters take a break to re-think their approach, others face financial difficulties.
Is it becoming too expensive for some broadcasters to participate?
A broadcaster that participates in the Eurovision Song Contest gets 7,5 hours of high quality live entertainment on prime time, bringing high ratings and a lot of excitement amongst the public.
We firmly believe they get high value for money. But we also understand that does not mean they can all easily afford it. It’s tough times and we see how public broadcasters in all corners of Europe have to deal with severe budget cuts.
What has the EBU done to get as many broadcasters as possible on board?
We are extremely sensitive to the big challenges faced by many of our Members. We have spent a lot of time working with those facing budget cuts and organisational challenges, and tried to find solutions so they can take part in Copenhagen.
The EBU froze participation fees for 2014 compared to last year. In 2013 we already shortened the rehearsal schedule with a day, cutting costs for delegations staying in the host city. This year, host broadcaster DR and their local partners negotiated sharp hotel prices.
Nevertheless, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Serbia had no other choice but staying home due to severe budget restraints. It is also unfortunate that after initially signing up, Bosnia & Herzegovina had to withdrawn, while Croatia has organisational challenges for not participating.
We are very happy to welcome back Poland and Portugal.
A question that's top-of-mind for many fans; Is there any chance to see Turkey returning to the competition?
We have made a lot of effort to bring back Turkey to the Eurovision Song Contest. But in the end, it's up to our Member Broadcaster TRT to decide if they want to be part of this unique pan-European cultural event. They are certainly welcome, and we know that many people across Europe would love to see them back. Therefor, we are continuing our talks with TRT.
What can we expect for the future of the Eurovision Song Contest?
Several broadcasters already expressed their interest to return in 2015, when we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest. We will also continue to work with broadcasters who are facing challenges. One thing is for sure: we need to adapt to reality.
As long as we are in close contact with our Member Broadcasters, listen to their challenges and are eager to find solution, this is something we can deal with. The next stop is Copenhagen, where our Danish colleagues are preparing a Eurovision Song Contest unlike ever before.
Eurovision Supervisor addresses concerns on Russia
Geneva, Switzerland - In an interview with host broadcaster, DR, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, Jon Ola Sand, has responded to concerns surrounding the implementation of Russia’s new laws against so-called ”homosexual propaganda” and how they could affect the competition if again held in Russia.
The Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contesthas sent an official letter to Russia’s two largest TV channels. Here they asked questions about whether the country’s much debated laws on "non-traditional sexual relations" will have an impact if Russia again should win the right to host the Eurovision Song Contest.
”From our side, this is completely undramatic”, explains Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, Jon Ola Sand.
”We have been asked by several of our member states and by journalists and fans, whether the new laws could affect the Eurovision Song Contest. That is why we have been in dialogue with the two Russian TV companies that are members of the EBU”, he says in an interview with Danish broadcaster, DR.
”There is no reason to believe that we cannot organise the Eurovision Song Contest in Russia”, he affirms.
It's up to the individual countries to decide
According to the German magazine Stern, a Swedish member of the Reference Group has raised doubts about whether Sweden would participate if Russia wins again. However, this has not been confirmed as the official position of Swedish broadcaster, SVT, Jon Ola Sand informs.
”Every year there is a discussion about who will take part in the competition and it is naturally up to each individual broadcaster to decide”, he says.
Russia hosted a very successful edition of the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2009, when Norway took home the victory with Alexander Rybak's megahit Fairytale.
Jon Ola Sand: “Ensuring that as many countries as possible take part is a high priority”
Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand in Malmö.
Geneva, Switzerland - Executive Supervisor, Jon Ola Sand, spoke to Host Broadcaster DR about the participants for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, and the importance of having as many as possible in the competition.
Just one week before the first deadline for signing up to next year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, the European Broadcasting Union is full of confidence.
"Ensuring that as many countries as possible take part in Copenhagen is of a high priority for us", says Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, Jon Ola Sand.
"There is still a lot of support for the Eurovision Song Contest all over Europe, even though some of the participating countries are considering whether to take part”.
Greece granted an extended deadline
At the moment, the EBU is in negotiations with Greece after the government closed the country’s national broadcaster, ERT, in the summer. The interim Greek broadcaster has not yet been admitted to the European Broadcasting Union, which is a prerequisite for being able to send a participant to the Eurovision Song Contest.
"We are in close contact and we would really like to have the Greeks take part. I hope that we will find a solution, but this is not in place as yet”, says Jon Ola Sand.
"We have given them an extended deadline beyond the 22nd of November, which is the sign-up deadline”, he reveals.
Cyprus and Croatia are out – Portugal is back
The financial crisis and austerity measures imposed on national TV budgets have meant that several countries have had to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest.
Cyprus and Croatia have decided not to participate but Portugal is making a comeback after taking a break in 2013.
"We are aware of the economic challenges that several of our members face. Unfortunately, we cannot reduce the participation fee for some countries, as then we would have increase it for the others. However, we are trying to find various other solutions”, says Executive Supervisor, Jon Ola Sand.
Türkvision not seen as a competitor
In 2013, Turkey did not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest and has instead started its own competition called Türkvision.
"The EBU does not have a patent for organising music competitions. We do not see Türkvision as any competition to Eurovision but we will keep an eye to see how it develops”, says Jon Ola Sand.
It has been suggested that it was dissatisfaction with the rules, which give the juries half of the votes, and ensure the so-called "Big 5" (France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and Germany) a place in the Grand Final, that have caused Turkey to withdraw.
"We have read the reports in the press but Turkish broadcaster, TRT, has never provided the EBU with an explanation. We would like to get in contact with them and do everything we can so that they will participate again. Turkey is an important country for the contest; always well-prepared and sending good participants and songs”.
The initial deadline for confirming participation for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest is set for the 22nd of November. The competition will take part on the 6th, 8th and 10th of May at the B&W-Hallerne on Refshaleøen in Copenhagen, Denmark, following Emmelie de Forest's victory in Malmö earlier this year.
