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Semifinal allocation draw held for Eurovision 2018 [PHOTO]

30 January 2018 13:25 (UTC+04:00)
Semifinal allocation draw held for Eurovision 2018 [PHOTO]

By Laman Ismayilova

The Eurovision 2018 semi-final allocation draw took place in Lisbon on January 29. The allocation draw determines two key aspects of the semi-finals for this year’s contest.

Azerbaijan’s entry will perform in the first half of the semifinal 1. The country will be represented by Aysel Mammadova in Eurovision 2018.

Azerbaijan’s rivals at the first half of the semifinal 1 will be Belarus, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Albania, Czech Republic, Belgium, Iceland, Israel and Estonia.

Representatives of Switzerland, Finland, Austria, Ireland, Armenia, Cyprus, Croatia, Greece, FYR Macedonia have been included in the second half of semifinal 1.

Russia, Serbia, Denmark, Romania, Australia, Norway, Moldova, San Marino, and the Netherlands will compete in first half of semifinal 2.

Representatives of Montenegro, Sweden, Hungary, Malta, Latvia, Georgia, Poland, Slovenia, and Ukraine will perform in the second half of semi final 2.

Ten countries from each semifinal will qualify for the final.

Forty two countries will take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. The logo and slogan of the next song forum – All Aboard! – were unveiled recently. The creative theme and logo of the competition are closely linked to the history of Lisbon and underscore the main values of the Eurovision, including diversity.

Portugal won the right to host the Eurovision 2018 after the triumph of Salvador Sobral at the contest in Kiev this year. The Semi-finals of the Eurovision 2018 will be held on May 8 and May 10. The Grand Final will take place on May 12 in Lisbon.

Aysel Mammadova, known under her stage name AISEL is a pianist, vocalist, composer and arranger. Between 1995 and 2006, she studied at the Bulbul secondary vocational music school. At the age of 16, Aysel entered the Azerbaijan State Conservatory, classic piano department.

Her vast experience in jazz festivals reaches far across the Azerbaijani borders. The singer has participated in music events held in Russia, Georgia, Turkey, Ukraine, Israel, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Italy.

She has also performed at festivals such as the Caspian Jazz & Blues Festival (2002), the Baku International Jazz festival (2005 & 2006), the MuzEnergo Festival of Music Improvisation (2007), Montreux Jazz Festival (2009), and the Caucasus Jazz Festival (2012).

Aysel has received special lessons from eminent musicians, including Alexander Coppaloni and Deborah J. Carter.

Her debut single “So Magical” was released in 2013, followed by “You are in me” in 2014. The singer’s repertoire includes such self-written works as Gravity”, “9 Moons Of Saturn”, “Dream On” and other songs.

Aysel is a member of the Baku Jazz Centre and works on a project combining classics, jazz and electronic music with English lyrics.

Azerbaijan has never missed out on a place in the Grand Final in over a decade of participating in Eurovision.

The country debuted at the Eurovision contest in 2008 and has always delighted music fans with spectacular shows.

Azerbaijan marked its debut in this contest in 2008 with the duo of Elnur and Samir, who managed to finish eighth in the final with their song ‘Day after day’.

The brilliant duet of Aysel and Arash represented Azerbaijan next year took the third place at the song contest, while Safura Alizada, who represented Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2010 in Oslo took the fifth place.

On its fourth attempt with Ell and Nikki's Running Scared song, the Land of Fire won the event, bringing the contest to Baku’s Crystal Hall in 2012. Ell and Nikki were the first mixed-gender duo to win the contest since 1963 and the first winners from Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan reached the Top 5 in five consecutive contests, and achieved the Top 5 place finishes each once - 3rd in 2009, 5th in 2010, 1st in 2011, 4th in 2012, and runner-up in 2013.

The country managed another two consecutive Top 5 results with Sabina Babayeva finishing fourth with 150 points in 2012 and Farid Mammadov second with 234 in 2013.

Last year Diana represented the country with the song "Skeletons" finishing in 14th place.

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Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Lam_Ismayilova

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

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Semifinal allocation draw held for Eurovision 2018 [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
Semifinal allocation draw held for Eurovision 2018 [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
Semifinal allocation draw held for Eurovision 2018 [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
Semifinal allocation draw held for Eurovision 2018 [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
Semifinal allocation draw held for Eurovision 2018 [PHOTO] - Gallery Image
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