Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
Encyclopedia
Azerbaijan
won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
in Düsseldorf
, Germany
with the entry "Running Scared
".
in Bærum
, İctimai TV announced the Azerbaijani participation in Düsseldorf
.
On 6 October, İctimai TV announced their selection process for Eurovision 2011. In this preliminary phase of the national selection, İctimai chose 100 hopefuls to participate in the process. The broadcaster called for participants that must stand out for their "beautiful voice, dance ability and stage culture". On 19 October, İctimai TV announced that they had received 120 submissions for national selection. One of the candidates is 20-year-old Ilgara Kazimova, daughter of the renowned Azerbaijani pop singer Aygun Kazimova
. The candidates also included previous years' applicants: Azad Shabanov, Aynishan Quliyeva
, teenage quartet Next, Chingiz Mustafayev, Arzum, and Seyran Ismayilkhanov who resides in Germany, as well as Elnur Hüseynov
who represented Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
as part of a duo having been placed eighth. Other first-time contestants are Khayyam Nisanov, Nurlan Novrasli, Khayyam Mustafazadeh, Khana Hasanova, Sabina Babayeva, Diana Hajiyeva, Sevinj Aghashirinova, and others. Submissions came from abroad, including Nigar Jamal and Nicola Barclay from the United Kingdom
, Tarik Yigit from Turkey
, Sultan Mashadiyev and Tahir Guliyev from Russia
and Gunay Alakbarova from Finland
.
In November 2010, İctimai TV released more information on their selection. 77 people would be fighting for the ticket to Eurovision in Germany. 11 participants would appear on air every week. By the end of each week the jurors and the audience would select the only participant who would advance to the final, where seven singers would compete. The candidates would perform a foreign song on Monday, an Azerbaijani song on Tuesday, a Eurovision entry on Wednesday, a song of their choice on Thursday, and on Friday the winner would be determined.
On 6 December, Nicola Barclay, who came second in the third semi-final, has been granted a place in the final as a wildcard. The jury decided that Nicola deserves another chance as they were "amazed" by her vocal skills. Similarly on 24 December, Eldar Gasimov was granted the wildcard and won a right to compete in the final. In the final, seventh semi-final, Nigar Jamal received the third and final wildcard, also granting her a place in the final which would now involve 10 people and not 7, as planned originally.
On 4 January, representative of Azerbaijan's official Eurovision broadcaster Ictimai TV Natig Abdullayev announced changes to the original plan of holding the final among winners of the seven semi-finals. According to him, from 10 January to 14 January, 10 winners of the semi-finals would compete in an intermediate selection phase which would determine 5 finalists. Of these 5 finalists, one would be chosen by the jury in February to represent Azerbaijan in Eurovision. These changes and her illness have forced Scottish singer Nicola Barclay to pull out of the competition.
On 11 February, the jury selected Eldar Gasimov
and Nigar Jamal
to represent Azerbaijan as a duo at Eurovision 2011.
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan , officially the Republic of Azerbaijan is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, it is bounded by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to...
won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011
Eurovision Song Contest 2011
The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 was the 56th annual Eurovision Song Contest and was won by Eldar & Nigar performing "Running Scared" for Azerbaijan. The event took place in the Esprit Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany, following Germany's win in the previous year...
in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
with the entry "Running Scared
Running Scared (Eldar & Nigar song)
"Running Scared" is a song performed by Azerbaijani duo Eldar & Nigar . It won the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 for Azerbaijan, held in Düsseldorf, Germany. The song was performed in, and qualified from, the first semi-final on 10 May...
".
National Final 2011
A few days after the Eurovision Song Contest 2010Eurovision Song Contest 2010
The Eurovision Song Contest 2010 was the 55th annual Eurovision Song Contest, broadcast from the Telenor Arena in Bærum, Greater Oslo, Norway. It was the third time Norway had hosted the contest, having previously done so in 1986 and 1996. The 2010 winner was Germany with Lena singing "Satellite",...
in Bærum
Bærum
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Sandvika. Bærum was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838. A suburb of Oslo, Bærum is located on the west coast of the city....
, İctimai TV announced the Azerbaijani participation in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
.
On 6 October, İctimai TV announced their selection process for Eurovision 2011. In this preliminary phase of the national selection, İctimai chose 100 hopefuls to participate in the process. The broadcaster called for participants that must stand out for their "beautiful voice, dance ability and stage culture". On 19 October, İctimai TV announced that they had received 120 submissions for national selection. One of the candidates is 20-year-old Ilgara Kazimova, daughter of the renowned Azerbaijani pop singer Aygun Kazimova
Aygun Kazimova
Aygun Alasgar qizi Kazimova is an Azerbaijani singer, songwriter, pop musician and actress, and a six-time winner of the Grand Music Award for best concert, videoclip and song. She is considered Azerbaijan's leading pop star, and is seen as a cultural icon for the South Caucasian nation in fast...
. The candidates also included previous years' applicants: Azad Shabanov, Aynishan Quliyeva
Aynishan Quliyeva
Aynishan Quliyeva born in 1992 in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a singer and daughter of famous Azeri singer Aybeniz Hasimova. In 2010 she made it to the Azerbaijani national final for the chance to represent Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany. In her semifinal she received 25,000...
, teenage quartet Next, Chingiz Mustafayev, Arzum, and Seyran Ismayilkhanov who resides in Germany, as well as Elnur Hüseynov
Elnur Hüseynov
Elnur Hüseynov is an Azerbaijani pop singer.He was selected as Azerbaijan's representative to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008....
who represented Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Eurovision Song Contest 2008
The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Contest. It was hosted in Belgrade, Serbia after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinki, Finland. This year was the first contest to have two semi-finals which were held on 20 and 22 May, and the final held on 24 May 2008...
as part of a duo having been placed eighth. Other first-time contestants are Khayyam Nisanov, Nurlan Novrasli, Khayyam Mustafazadeh, Khana Hasanova, Sabina Babayeva, Diana Hajiyeva, Sevinj Aghashirinova, and others. Submissions came from abroad, including Nigar Jamal and Nicola Barclay from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Tarik Yigit from Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, Sultan Mashadiyev and Tahir Guliyev from Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Gunay Alakbarova from Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
.
In November 2010, İctimai TV released more information on their selection. 77 people would be fighting for the ticket to Eurovision in Germany. 11 participants would appear on air every week. By the end of each week the jurors and the audience would select the only participant who would advance to the final, where seven singers would compete. The candidates would perform a foreign song on Monday, an Azerbaijani song on Tuesday, a Eurovision entry on Wednesday, a song of their choice on Thursday, and on Friday the winner would be determined.
On 6 December, Nicola Barclay, who came second in the third semi-final, has been granted a place in the final as a wildcard. The jury decided that Nicola deserves another chance as they were "amazed" by her vocal skills. Similarly on 24 December, Eldar Gasimov was granted the wildcard and won a right to compete in the final. In the final, seventh semi-final, Nigar Jamal received the third and final wildcard, also granting her a place in the final which would now involve 10 people and not 7, as planned originally.
On 4 January, representative of Azerbaijan's official Eurovision broadcaster Ictimai TV Natig Abdullayev announced changes to the original plan of holding the final among winners of the seven semi-finals. According to him, from 10 January to 14 January, 10 winners of the semi-finals would compete in an intermediate selection phase which would determine 5 finalists. Of these 5 finalists, one would be chosen by the jury in February to represent Azerbaijan in Eurovision. These changes and her illness have forced Scottish singer Nicola Barclay to pull out of the competition.
On 11 February, the jury selected Eldar Gasimov
Eldar Gasimov
Eldar "Ell" Gasimov is an Azerbaijani singer who successfully represented Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in the music duo Eldar & Nigar with Nigar Jamal.-Early life:...
and Nigar Jamal
Nigar Jamal
Nigar "Nikki" Jamal is an Azerbaijani singer currently living in London, United Kingdom, since 2005. Jamal's singing genres include R&B, soul and pop music...
to represent Azerbaijan as a duo at Eurovision 2011.
Heat 1
| Draw | Artist | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Khana Hasanova | 4 | 7 |
| 2 | Aygun Ismayilova | 6 | 5 |
| 3 | Adil Bakhishli | 10 | 2 |
| 4 | Tofig "Mr. Toto" Hajiyev | 5 | 6 |
| 5 | Chingiz Mustafayev | 12 | 1 |
| 6 | Tarik Yigit | 0 | DNQ |
| 7 | Nurana Alasgarova | 0 | DNQ |
| 8 | Ulviyya Abbasova | 3 | 8 |
| 9 | Gulchohra Babayeva | 2 | 9 |
| 10 | Next | 8 | 3 |
| 11 | Zulfunaz Rajabova | 7 | 4 |
Heat 2
| Draw | Artist | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Groove | 8 | 3 |
| 2 | Fizza Nadirova | 4 | 7 |
| 3 | Sitara Nasirova | 5 | 6 |
| 4 | Emin Hasan | 2 | 9 |
| 5 | Nazrin Zarbaliyeva | 3 | 8 |
| 6 | Ulvi Rashidov | 10 | 2 |
| 7 | Gunay Alakbarova | 7 | 4 |
| 8 | Yegana Aghayeva | 0 | DNQ |
| 9 | Shola Safaraliyeva | 6 | 5 |
| 10 | Ulviyya Talishinskaya | 1 | 10 |
| 11 | Nurlan Novrasli | 12 | 1 |
Heat 3
| Draw | Artist | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dilshan Ibadova | 3 | 8 |
| 2 | Gunay Ibrahimli | 12 | 1 |
| 3 | Khayyam Nisanov | 8 | 3 |
| 4 | Sevinj Aghashirinova | 5 | 6 |
| 5 | Kanan Gadimov | 6 | 5 |
| 6 | Nigar Babayeva | 2 | 9 |
| 7 | Orkhan Aghayev | 7 | 4 |
| 8 | Farid Mammadov | 1 | 10 |
| 9 | Nazir Aghayev | 0 | 11 |
| 10 | Nicola Barclay | 10 | 2 |
| 11 | Rinat Alimov | 4 | 7 |
Heat 4
| Draw | Artist | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Said Ismayilzadeh | 1 | 10 |
| 2 | Aydan Rustamova | 10 | 2 |
| 3 | Arzum Khalilova | 12 | 1 |
| 4 | Emilia Yagubova | 3 | 8 |
| 5 | Ramin Guliyev | 4 | 7 |
| 6 | Chinara Nazarli | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | Milan Mammadov | 2 | 9 |
| 8 | Sabina Babayeva | 8 | 3 |
| 9 | Rahima Hasanalizadeh | 6 | 5 |
| 10 | Leyla Dadashova | 0 | 11 |
| 11 | Javanshir Hajiyev | 7 | 4 |
Heat 5
| Draw | Artist | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Empathy | 3 | 8 |
| 2 | Elmar Asgarov | 2 | 9 |
| 3 | Altun Zeynalov | 5 | 6 |
| 4 | Emin Nasirli | 10 | 2 |
| 5 | Janana Zeynalova | 1 | 10 |
| 6 | Rovshan Jivishov | 7 | 4 |
| 7 | Jamila Hashimova | 8 | 3 |
| 8 | Aynishan Quliyeva | 12 | 1 |
| 9 | Gulnar Nabi-Chingiz | 4 | 7 |
| 10 | Dinara Jafarova | 0 | 11 |
| 11 | Orkhan Israfilov | 6 | 5 |
Heat 6
| Draw | Artist | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ilgara Ibrahimova | 12 | 1 |
| 2 | Eldar Gasimov | 10 | 2 |
| 3 | Seyran Ismayilkhanov | 6 | 5 |
| 4 | Leyla Idrisova | 4 | 7 |
| 5 | Rustam Allazov | 5 | 6 |
| 6 | Sultan Mashadiyev | 3 | 8 |
| 7 | Elyana Ahmadova | 8 | 3 |
| 8 | Fuad Mustafazadeh | 1 | 10 |
| 9 | Sarkhan Mammadov | 2 | 9 |
| 10 | Diana Hajiyeva | 7 | 4 |
Heat 7
| Draw | Artist | Points | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orkhan Nasibov | 0 | 12 |
| 2 | Sabina Mammadova | 6 | 6 |
| 3 | Habil Ahmadov | 1 | 11 |
| 4 | Sadikh Aghamaliyev | 3 | 9 |
| 5 | Nigar Dargahzadeh | 7 | 5 |
| 6 | Ilhama Gasimova | 12 | 1 |
| 7 | Davud Asgarli | 4 | 8 |
| 8 | Lala Aliyeva | 5 | 7 |
| 9 | Tahir Guliyev | 2 | 10 |
| 10 | Gunay Ahmadova | 8 | 4 |
| 11 | Azad Shabanov | 10 | 3 |
| 12 | Nigar Jamal | 12 | 2 |
Semifinal
| Artist |
|---|
| Chingiz Mustafayev |
| Nurlan Novrasli |
| Gunay Ibrahimli |
| Arzum Khalilova |
| Aynishan Quliyeva |
| Ilgara Ibrahimova |
| Eldar Gasimov |
| Ilhama Gasimova |
| Nigar Jamal |
Final
| Draw | Artist |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nigar Jamal Nigar Jamal Nigar "Nikki" Jamal is an Azerbaijani singer currently living in London, United Kingdom, since 2005. Jamal's singing genres include R&B, soul and pop music... |
| 2 | Aynishan Quliyeva |
| 3 | Ilgara Ibrahimova |
| 4 | Eldar Gasimov Eldar Gasimov Eldar "Ell" Gasimov is an Azerbaijani singer who successfully represented Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in the music duo Eldar & Nigar with Nigar Jamal.-Early life:... |
| 5 | Ilhama Gasimova |
The song
On 11 January, the organising committee of Eurovision Azerbaijan announced a call for submissions for the song that would be performed by the Azerbaijani representative. Both national and foreign composers were invited to submit their songs, and one song would be chosen by an internal committee. As of 25 January, the organising committee had received 15 submissions, coming mostly from Azerbaijan, as well as from Spain, Greece, Romania, and Australia.At Eurovision
Azerbaijan competed under number 18 in the second half of the first semi-final of the contest, on 10 May, and qualified for the final. They went on to win it with 221 points.Points awarded to Azerbaijan
| 12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
| 12 points | 10 points | 8 points | 7 points | 6 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 points | 4 points | 3 points | 2 points | 1 point |
Semi final 1
| 12 points | |
| 10 points | |
| 8 points | |
| 7 points | |
| 6 points | |
| 5 points | |
| 4 points | |
| 3 points | |
| 2 points | |
| 1 point | |
Final
| 12 points | |
| 10 points | |
| 8 points | |
| 7 points | |
| 6 points | |
| 5 points | |
| 4 points | |
| 3 points | |
| 2 points | |
| 1 point | |
External links
- Eldar and Nigar - Official Website of Azerbaijani Participants for Eurovision 2011.
- Eldar & Nigar - Eurovision 2011 Winners! (official video)
- ITV's official Eurovision site
- Eurovision Azerbaijan Official Website
- Eurovision Azerbaijan Fan Website