Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Desislava should have gone to Baku 2012 instead of Sofi, I still think so. Her Love is alive just would have had a better chance, even if Sofi did have her own sort of charm, too. Desislava is back with Moeto drugo az and is spicing up the gossip rags with the hot summer fling with the guy in the video.... 

Yesterday I attended two parties. First there was the Georgian party. As always the Georgians were very hospitable with free drinks and food. Some delegations from other countries were spotted there: Sabina from Azerbaijan, Kurt from Malta, the great Kaliopi from Macedonia, Litesound from Belarus, Pasha from Moldova, Rambo from Montenegro. The Georgian party was in the EuroClub and this place is huge. Therefore it took some time before there was a cosy atmosphere. Anri from Georgia sang a few songs and of course his Eurovision entry I'm a joker . He later did a duet with Sabina. Litesound sang their song and Kurt did a playback of his song. A nice party but not one to remember.  Then I headed to the Slovakian party in the Marriott hotel. It was even more empty. Sofi from Bulgaria, Compact Disco from Hungary and Eva from Slovenia were there and I almost got a private concert from them. There were maybe 50 people including the artists. It was ve...

Ukraine has polished it's act from what a mess it was in the first rehearsals it seems. it's colorful for sure and clever staging but those who say Gaitana has a great voice, I disagree. She doesn't sing. She shouts. She shouts  those about ten words she has put together all through. I like this kind of "singing" when it's 1990's eurotechno's refrain, say Black Box and Ride on tim e but all three minutes? No thanks. But this is Ukraine and propably will finish in top-5 if the last year's entry did so.... this gives me nothing but bad mood! Being her guest? I'd rather stay home and have a nice cup of tea, as my friend Amanda would say. More here . Today's last is Bulgaria . Sofi is alone on stage and her vocals after Gaitana's are a relief for me. She's dressed casual and saving her dress for the dress rehearsals but it is rumored to white and gold. The backdrop pulses with the beat and she looks happy on stage and I'm sta...

One of the most anticipated stage shows must be that of Ukraine. year after year they manage to turn a mediocre song a real contender with their huge or clever staging. Remember last year's sand painter? And can you remember the song? Ukraine has props alright, borrowing Blue's idea last year by doubling its dancers with screens. So, once again they did. it surely looks grand but personally this song is among the last 3-4 this year. And not so convinced on Gaitana's vocals either. Big isn't always beautiful or better.... This is an anti-song. Besides, borrowing the football song for Eurovision isn't anything new either, remember Olé olà? More here . Bulgaria follows with another dance song going to the opposite direction: less is more. I enjoy this much more. Purple and white stripes for Sofi after Ukraine's colorful act creating a nice contrast also because Sofi is alone on stage. I'm relieved they didn't add some useless dancers and gimmicks...

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....

This Saturday the 4th Eurovision in concert promo happening will take place and this year it's bigger than ever when 24 participating artists will be present to meet and greet the fans the and press, and perform in the concert at Melkweg in Amsterdam. Previous Eurovision entrant Ruth Jacott is hosting the concert with Cornald Maas. Cypriot Ivi Adamou was supposed to be there but had to cancel and we will have Filipa Sousa instead. The other artists are Valentina Monetta from San Marino, Sinplus from Switzerland, Jedeward from Ireland, Sabina from Azerbaijan, Iris from Belgium, Anri Jokhadze from Georgia, Eva Boto from Slovenia, Compact Disco from Hungary, Gaitana from Ukraine, Joan Franka from the Netherlands, Trackshittaz from Austria, Donny Montell from Lithuania, Pastora Soler from Spain, Sofi Marinova from Bulgaria, Pernilla from Finland, Rona Nishliu from Albania, Anmary from Latvia, Kurt Calleja from Malta, Mandinga from Romania and Eleftheria from Greece. For many artists...

Both countries are yet to win Eurovision. Romania has been in top-5 three times and often a favorite making int to the final every time since the semifinals were introduced. while Bulgaria has made it to the final only once - in Helsinki 2007 were they finished 5th. I think they should have made the final several times. This year both send a dance track and a song that wouldn't be out of place in any Eurodisco and beach party come summer 2012. This ends 0-2 for Romania. Bulgaria - Sofi Marinova - Love unlimited  *** Bulgaria's song mixes 11 languages, including host country's language that will be heard on Eurovision stage for the very first time. It's all about love in any language and Sofi tries to keep up with the mix. The song itself isn't anything special but it works. It has the atmosphere of a lazy afternoon/early evening after lunch when one starts to get ready for the evening while holidaying somewhere hot and sunny. A drink in a glass and smell of...

Pernilla has been so invisible since winning the UMK that it makes one to want to report every word she says if she says or does something somewhere. Now she has been talking to YLE's radio voices Jorma Hietamäki and Eurovision expert Sanna Kojo. And this is what she had to say freely translated: "I don't stress about Eurovision. People have chosen me. I will be myself, do my best and take it day by day. I'm already content I won the UMK. I'm not worried about the stage in Baku. I will be in the Eurovision in concert this month and will gain more stage experience. I already learned a lot in UMK. I will also meet the foreign press there for the first time."   She also tells the staging will be pretty similar to the one in the UMK final, but the dress will be main focus. She hopes this is just the start of her music career and it won't end in Baku. "Or so I hope, this is my dream job" she says. Negotiations are underway for a record deal a...

Bulgaria will stage its national final tonight in Sofia. As guest stars we have the 2012 entrats from Cyprus, Denmark, France and Malta (at least) as the ones from Ukraine and Switzerland have cancelled for various reasons. It is supposed to be a two horse race where sassy and kitchy Sofi will try to beat weirdly elegant favourite Dess but we will see. You can listen a recap here of the 12 finalists. You can watch the show on eurovision.tv from 19.30 CET. 01. Go Week – The way you see the world 02. Todor Gadzhalov – Still love you 03. Steliyana Hristova -  Putyat 04. Rene Ranev – Alone 05. Desislava (Dess) – Love is alivе 06. Svetozar Hristov – Keep ме down 07. Simona Sivanio – Eternal 08. Yvailo Kolev ft. Hipnotik – Searching for the words 09. Sofi Marinova – Love Unlimited 10. Vyara Pantaleeva – Vyara 11. New 5- Chance for better life 12. Tsvetelin Atasanov-Elvisa ft. DZ - Love goes around

Bulgaria kicks of its selection tonight with the semifinal. Out of 22 songs only 12 will sail to the final. The big favourite is Desislava aka Dess. And listening the recap here she might just have it in pack. Sofi Marinova permetting. New 5 – Chance for better life Vyara Pantaleyeva – Vyara Sonya Ivanova – Finalna lyubov Monika Kirovska – You are my angel Margarita Hranova – Proshka Sunnie – Shut your mouth and do it Tsvetelin Atasanov-Elvisa ft. DZ – Love goes around Steliyana Hristova – Putyat Viktoriya Dimitrova – Novo nebe Teni Omede – Without you Alex & 4Give – Dream Todor Gadzhalov – Still love you Dess – Love is alive Georgi Vurbanov – This is my green wave Sofi Marinova – Prosto lyubov Better than grey – Dream Svetozar Hristov – Keep me down Rene Ranev – Alone Bee in the bonnet – You are the world Simona Sivanio – Eternal Ivailo Kolev ft. Hipnotik – Searching for the words Go week – The way you see the world