Dilara to shine at Eurovision's final show
By Nigar Orujova
Azerbaijani entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 got through to the final show after her magnificent performance at the first semi-final at the B&W Hallerne, Copenhagen, on May 6.
Sixteen countries took part in the show in order to qualify for the 10 places available in the final which will be held on May 10.
The result was determined by a 50/50 split between national expert juries and televoting; the combined scores created the final outcome.
The list of winner countries also includes Montenegro, Hungary, Russia, Armenia, San Marino, Ukraine, Sweden, Netherlands, and Iceland.
They will perform at the final along with singers from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and last year's winning country Denmark.
Another ten finalists will be chosen in the Second Semi-Final on May 8.
On her hour of triumph, Dilara Kazimova started the fire on the stage with her modern ballad.
Dilara's strong voice was accompanied by a talented trapeze dancer's performance.
Both the singer and dancer were dressed in dark red, which gave the impression that Dilara's musical performance was being mirrored in an acrobatic way.
During the performance, the light on the stage flamed up and finally burned out towards the end of the song, covering the stage in a dark red with ice crystals reflected into the background.
At the press conference at the first show, Dilara was asked if she intended to start a fire at the final show, to which she replied by thanking her fans and saying, "I will do my best in the Final."
Foreign journalists and Eurovision fans from different countries are praising Dilara's chances at winning the contest, liking her stage dress and look.
The singer has already participated twice in the national selection of Eurovision, reaching the final stage in 2008 and 2010.
This is the seventh time Azerbaijan participates in the ESC this year. The country debuted at the ESC in 2008 and has always presented a remarkable show.