Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

One more exciting thing for Eurovision fans are the spokespersons as every year several previous (and sometimes future) Eurovision entrants re-appear to announce the votes of their country, or previous hosts like this year Alsou for Russia. or she's a double as she also did Eurovision as singer. For Italy it's lovely Federica Gentile, for San Marino John Kennedy O'Connor, a very familiar name for Eurovision freaks. And Finland gives the honor to Kristiina Wheeler, who would be a great entrant herself (What are you waiting for??). Here are the ones this bloggers can pick up with the first look: Armenia - André (ESC 2007) Bulgaria - Joanna Dragneva (ESC 2007) Estonia - Rolf Roosalu (multiple national finalist) Finland - Kristiina Wheeler (singer and future ESC participant?) Germany - Lena (ESC 2010, 2011) Latvia - Anmary (ESC 2012) Norway - Tooji (ESC 2012) Russia - Alsou (ESC 2000 + hostess 2009) Sweden - Yohio (national runner up) Ukraine - Matias (m...

Things you only see in Eurovision: The Irish Duracell bunnies Jedward spent some time with Latvian Anmary and Finnish Pernilla while waiting to get on the red carpet last night and all of sudden we have a new ABBA! They were also craving for Finnish chocolate and I don't blame them! Here . 

Greece follow and the backdrop features even a dancing clam?! Behind the backing singer... ??? Is the clam the maniac she sings about? Now this is starting to make sense... The song is what it is, the choreography is what it is and unfortunately Eleftheria's vocals are what they are. And is this what they are going to wear?? But this is Greece so most likely they will qualify after all. Or will they do Turkey/Armenia this time finally? They have used this recipe one or to times too often in my books by now and even if the song isn't that bad I'd rather not see making it anymore. But Eleftheria is one bubbly and eager girl, an Eurovision fan herself even and we had a nice interview with her. Here . Latvia follows. Anmary and her ladies are also wearing their dresses and it's all in pastel colors, the fashion of spring 2012. Her own dress is long while the other have short ones. The kaleidoscopic backdrop is there and the choreography really follows the song. Anma...

Blogilkar's Robert had a chance to talk to Latvian representative Anmary and her team after her rehearsal yesterday and here it is: What does Eurovision mean to you and why did you want to participate? Wow, this is a great experience. This is another country. I like travelling and I have never been to Azerbaijan so it's interesting for me. But I'm musician first and I just want to sing. Latvia isn't so big and somehow you have to expand over the borders to survive and Eurovision is a chance to make myself known abroad.  There are 42 countries and only one can win. With what result will you be happy with it? We've done it. As far as I'm concerned we already did it by being here. We won in Latvia. We are very happy with all that's happening. For example Shay Healy, the writer of What's another year ,  already wrote a song for me, I have recorded a song in Azerbaijan, I have an album to record....  I'm already a winner! So you are planning...

Robert is out and about in Baku and Crystal Hall and here's who he met today: Fans being journalists/journalists being fans. Eurovision is really an event for that. Here is Roy Van der Merwe from South Africa. He is the president of the OGAE Rest of the world. This is his 20th year in a row that he is present at the Eurovision. The OGAE Rest of the world was established in 2006 and Roy has been the president ever since. His first Eurovision was in 1983 in Munich. He was a special guest for Ralph Siegel because Roy was such a fan of Nicole who was winning for Germany the year before. He felt the most special in Tallinn, Estonia. He was treated as a VIP there and who doesn't like that?! Beautiful song of Anmary from Latvia is his favourite song for this year and what an accident, Anmary just comes our way and I get a chance to take a picture of Roy and Anmary. Roy told me also that a cover of the Finnish song of 2009, Lose control from the Wal...

Montenegro has kicked of the rehearsals and we have besides Rambo Amadeus a drummer, a guitarist, three breakdancers, a banner and a wooden donkey on stage. Flashing numbers among other things in the background. The dancers seem to be lost most of the time but this is the first rehearsal and maybe they are off screen most of the time. The donkey seems to be there just standing still, or will it have a more active role later on? Hmmm.... it's cute though! And Rambo sounds just like he should. More here . Iceland looks stunning with its icy mountains and blue setting that turns into flaming red at the climax and enter the wind machines... Rather static performance like we have seen in the Icelandic final but it fits this dramatic ballad. Four backing singers complete the stage act. And we know they will be wearing black but at least Jónsi was today in casual wear. More here . Greece . Now how cliche can you get? There is absolutely nothing new in this performance ...

Two blond ladies with blue eyes, catchy little rather acoustic song, perfect for radios. While Denmark has a hint of melancholy in it, Latvia is bursting with good mood and happiness singing about the song she is singing about. How weird is that? Weird but wonderful but so is Denmark's entry. I have fondly disliked all these Danish entries of recent year's that have done very well in Eurovision - does this now mean Denmark will bomb as I like it? And how about Latvia? Many say they like it "somehow" but it will not be voted for. Are we sure? As said, Denmark has done the top-5 two years in a row, while Latvia has missed the final three years in a row. Will the tables turn this year? And both have a very messy staging in national finals to sort out before Baku. Will they succeed? Latvia - Anmary - Beautiful song ***** The song is insanely catchy, whether you like it not, the melody sticks into your brain. And the corny lyrics. But it also comes across that the...

Blogilkar's special guest Robert is at the spot in Amsterdam today for the 4th annual Eurovision in concert and send these exclusive photos to get into the mood....

One of this blogger's favourites this year, Latvia's Anmary has also presented the video for her Beautiful song and it's in a remixed version. Anmary has been singing since she was a child and through reality show The Talent factory, musicals and collaboration like this has made it to the Eurovision stage so she has to put her day job as voice teacher aside for awhile and be a star! And maybe she will meet Johnny Logan in Baku 2012?