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First semi-final of 2016 Eurovision Song Contest kicks off tonight

10 May 2016 18:18 (UTC+04:00)
First semi-final of 2016 Eurovision Song Contest kicks off tonight

By Laman Ismayilova

The first semi-final of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest will kick off tonight in Sweden. Eighteen countries, including Azerbaijan will compete for chance to be in the Grand Final.

Eighteen songs will participate in the first Semi-Final, and professional juries in each of the participating countries, as well as in Sweden, France and Spain, voted on yesterday's dress rehearsal. They accounted for 50% of the overall total.

Tonight the remaining 50% of the votes will be decided by the public televote in the same 21 countries. These votes will be added to those of the juries to determine the ten countries that will qualify for the Grand Final on May 14.

The performance of Azerbaijan’s eurovision entry is characterized by its uniqueness and originality.

Azerbaijan's Eurovision 2016 representative Samra Rahimli will perform her song 'Miracle' under the 14th number in the first semi-final.

The stage design is based on the work “Alice in the country of miracles”, but with a modern and futuristic approach to the novel. Samra's performance will be accompanied by four dancers, who practiced their choreography just behind the singer. She will be supported by a backing vocalist, Diana Hajiyeva.

The major color for the Azerbaijani entry is golden. Samra will also wear a costume in golden and silver colors.

The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm is going to be the biggest contest for years with 43 participants, equaling the record set in both 2008 and 2011.

Globen Arena, the venue for international song contest is the largest hemispherical building in the world. Its capacity is 16,000 seated spectators for shows and concerts.

Tonight's show will be hosted by Petra Mede and Måns Zelmerlöw, who are eager to welcome the millions of viewers of the most exciting international song contest.

For the first time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, a non-contestant Global Superstar, Justin Timberlake, will enter the Eurovision stage in Stockholm. He will perform his new track, 'Can't Stop The Feeling' , as an “interval act” when this year’s finalists have completed their performances.

Azerbaijan debuted at the Eurovision contest in 2008 and has always presented remarkable shows since then. 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.

Last year Azerbaijani representative Elnur Huseynov, who competed for the second time at the contest after his debut in 2008, placed 12 with his mystical ballad “Hour of the Wolf”.

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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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