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ESC 2012: To Baku or not to Baku?

Back in business! While I have been away not much has been happening it seems. The main news concern the possible venue and possible withdrawels for various reasons. On the other hand Hungary has confirmed its participation also next year helped by the excellent viewing figures and that's always nice to hear! In Germany Stefan Raab has declared he's done with Eurovision and who can blame him? He has been the songwriter, performer, organizer of the national final, presenter of the real thing - what else is there to do?
Meanwhile in Azerbaijan the president Ilham Aliyev himself has set the committee to organize the 2012 Eurovision song contest in Baku, including the foreign minister and the minister of culture and tourism. And the first lady as the chairman! These people take certain things seriously over there!
As for the possible venue they seem to have three choices but one, The Haydar Aliyev Sports Complex is clearly too small with its max 8.000 seats. The other option is Tofig Bahramov Republican stadium with its 35.000 seats but then a roof must be build. The third possibility is to built a new 20.000 venue in the city center, next to the National flag square. The design and such might be ready to use as Baku was bidding for the 2016 Olympics.The National flag square hosts the world's largest flag pole: 162 meters high and the flag is 36 x 70 meters!
The question of Armenia remains open. Will they withdraw, or will they force their way into Baku? It's a win-win situation for both - ir is it lose-lose? Dare the Armenian singers go to Azerbaijan and if they do they will be treated as national heroes at home but how will Azeris react? If they go, they win the situation it seems. If they don't Azeris win.... Tricky, very very tricky!
Israel on the other hand has problems with the date - again. According the Israeli law Israelis can't take part in international events during national holidays and May 26, 2012 when the final is due to take place is Shavou'ot, an Israeli holiday. They are propably asking EBU to change the date but that is difficult for both football and ice hockey events taking place on May 20.Not only that, Azerbaijan borders with Iran...
And to end with a lighter note, Italian fans were already dreaming Azerbaijan couldn't host the contest and RAI would step in as the runner up .... a scenario even EBU might find a bit alarming....
And one more thing to remember: Eurovision starts always at 8pm GMT which means midnight in Baku. This will bring new challanges as well.
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