Azerbaijan in Eurovision

In the mid – 1950s, members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided to form an interesting entertainment program as a means of uniting Europe culturally, In January 1955, director general of Swiss television Marcel Benezcon proposed the idea of an international song contest that would determine the best song of Europe. His suggestion was approved at the assembly of ABU held in Rome on 19 October 1955. The first contest, called “Eurovision Grand Prix” took place on May 24, 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland. Only seven countries participated in the contest-each submitting two songs. This was the first and the last Contest in which more than one song per country was performed. The representative of the host country Lys Assia won the contest with the song “Refrain”.

Eventually the number of participants increased and their participation in one contest became impossible. Therefore, it was decided to remove the countries with the worst performance from the contest. Only in 2004, the contest was divided into semi-final and final parts in order to provide the participation of all EBU members.

At this song contest, Ireland became the winner seven times, United Kingdom, France and Luxemburg each 5 times.

The name of the contest is taken from the “Eurovision” program that belongs to the European Broadcasting Union. Generally the contest is called simply “Eurovision”.

In the Eurovision record, Norway became the winner with the highest point.

The youngest winner of Eurovision was the representative of Belgium – 13 years old Sandra Kim in 1986. The oldest winner of the competition was 38 years old Sertab Erener who represented the brotherly country Turkey in 2003.

I participation. For the first time, on May 24, 2008 Azerbaijan participated in the 53 Eurovision Song Contest held in Belgrade, Serbia, In the contest, Azerbaijan held 8th place among 43 countries with 132 points (performers – Elnur Husseinov and Samir Javadzadeh with the song called “Day after day”).

II participation. On May 16, 2009 in the 54th contest held in Russian capital Moscow, Azerbaijan took the third place among 42 countries with 207 points (performers – Aysel Teymurzadeh and Arash with the song called “Always”).

III participation. On may 29, 2010 in the 55th competition held in Oslo, Norway Azerbaijan took the 5th place among 39 countries with 145 points (performer Safura Alizadeh with the song called “Drip drop”).

IV participation. On May 29, 2011, in the 56th Eurovision Song Contest held in Düsseldorf, in Germany Eldar Qasimov and Nigar Jamal who represented Azerbaijan with the song called “Running scared” became winners among 43 countries with 221 points.

V participation

Sabina Babayeva, representing Azerbaijan at 57th Eurovision Song Contest held in May 26, 2012 in capital of Azerbaijan Baku city had got 150 points and won the 4th place among 42 countries with “When the music dies” song. 

Eurovision Song Contest has been broadcasted in Azerbaijan television area first since 2006.

The right of broadcasting the competition in Azerbaijan belongs only to Public Television and Radio Broadcasting Company.