ESC 2008 Belgrade (Serbia)
Monday, 16. June 2008, 21:41:54
How should I even start this post? 3 days has passed since the Eurovision is finished. I still can't quite get enough sleep. Spending every day in the press center in the middle of it all can be a bit tough. What is this phenomenon called the Eurovision? I've only started watching it couple of years ago. I really can't say I'm much of a fan of the contest. Let's face it, not many really famous people participate there. It's interesting to get to know artists that are popular in their own countries tho. I don't like the fact that they are mainly trying to sing in English (tho some of them have a really bad accent, like this years winner Dima Bilan).
But let's go from the start. Eurovision, for me as a volunteer, started on may the 10th. My first day of work. What did I do on that day? Well, nothing special. Came in the press center in the morning, went to the airport to wait for a friend that was staying at my house for those 2 weeks, and then didn't even bother to come back to "work". Why would I? It's the first day. Like usual, our organizators were making finishing touches in that first day, and even the 2nd one. We do everything in the last moment here in Serbia. It's just who we are... Quite normal really. Some people find it annoying, but not me. Being late? Why not... I do admit that sometimes it's not nice, but who cares...
Anyway, to continue with the story. First day I can't say I did anything interesting (in the press center). After my friend came with her mom, now that was something. We spoke for so many years on the internet that it was about time to meet her in person. It's an interesting experience. I really liked both of them! Nice people, hope they'll come again some time soon to Belgrade. Only on that first day did we find some time to actually show them some of the wonderful sights that Belgrade has. They've seen only the very center of the city, Knez Mihajlova Street as a walking zone, our beautiful fortress and 2 rivers. There was this stunning sunset, but ok. The weather was simply perfect through the entire 2 weeks of the Eurovision madness. In those 2 weeks I couldn't find any time to watch the television. Spending all the time in the press center had put me in the middle of it all, yet I couldn't see how huge it all was being the part of it. You walk in the holes of the center and you're able to hear all those languages. Mainly English, and Russian of course because of the all ex soviet republics. Oh I love that language so much! Real work started on the day 3. Monday... The rehearsals began. Each country had a press conference after its rehearsal. I don't even have to mention the fuss at the Serbian press conference. Day after day after day... Interesting moment: Evgeny Plyushchenko's arrival. Day of the Russian rehearsal. I read it in the papers, that Plyushchenko is coming, but I thought it was only rumors. Imagine my surprise when I saw him!?! You all know who Plyushchenko is, right? If not, then shame on you! World figure-skating legend. He does wonders on ice. Like my sister said, he makes people believe they can fly. So many times I've seen him on TV, and so many times I thought: "If I could only see him in person once..." And there he was. All of us volunteers, standing at the entrance, waiting for the Russian delegation. They were already late because there were some problems at the Arena, but they were in no hurry I'd say, since the singer, Dima Bilan, stopped at the entrance to cuddle the cat. I thought it was cute, but hundreds of other people that were waiting for him didn't think it was that sweet of him. But who cares. Let me tell you something about Dima.. He's like a grown child. He enjoys his fame and he's so confident in himself but he's also kind and sweet with everyone, also patient with his fans. He obviously likes the fact that he's famous. In Serbia I must say, all the volunteers that were waiting for the Russian delegations didn't care at all about Dima. Some of them even asked me who Dima is. They were all waiting for Plyushchenko. That skating legend. The man that can fly on ice. Yes, they were waiting for him... You should see his face actualy, when the Russian delegation entered, and when everyone started yelling his name and applauding to Evgeny, and not to the star singer Dima. Those were the volunteers, not the journalists of course. The press conference went well; we got invitations for the Russian party, and me, as a Russian language student... Well, I simply had to go there. You can't even imagine my happiness when I got to take picture with Plyushchenko and later the violinist too. Since I've started talking about the Russian delegation (they did win the Eurovision contest), I could as well finish the story with them. But not to worry, plenty to write more...
At the conference violinist showed us the violin that was more then 300 years old. Violin that Paganini used to play. If you don't know who Paganini was, then I'm really sorry... But I'm sure you do. He even played for us on that same violin one small part of Molitva, last year's winner that gave us the opportunity to organize this festival here in our small country. It was a major event for us and a huge honor. Eyes of the 43 participant countries pointed at Belgrade. I think we did well... What do you think?
I should probably stop talking about the Russia for a moment. There were other participants. Let's take Belgium. They didn't pass to the finals, but they had the cutest song in this imaginary language. I loved it! Unlike some people obviously... I met the singers. I have to say, all the singers were so nice. I don't know if that's because they wannet us to vote for them, or because they simply are nice.. I hope it's the 2nd reason. Next country I'd like to mention, from those that I met, is Latvia... Pirates... If you saw the finals on TV, you have to remember them. Maybe the song isn't that great (but I still loved it!). The singers are so so nice. They are hyper, always laughing, happy and very friendly! Not to mention how cute they look with the costumes. I have to say, they are the best contestants of all the 43 countries, the best people if I can say it like that. I simply love them!
Let me tell you about Moldova. I was at their press conference too. The woman that sings the song, she is a jazz singer. At the press conference, she was saying such a smart and nice things, in Russian, but unfortunately, she had a bad translator that didn't translate even half of what she said. And I do like her son, even tho it didn't pass in the final.
Cyprus... Femme Fatal.. The song is catchy, the singer looks like Cleopatra, so beautiful, with powerful voice. The biggest plus is that she's singing in Greek. I loved it! Didn't pass to the finals either...
Lithuania? Now that's the country I'll have to praise the most. I'm sitting in the Arena, at the rehearsal for the 2nd semi final. One after the other, singers perform on the stage. All of them having stunning stage performances. It's enough to look at the Ukraine or Greece to know what I mean. Then comes this man from Lithuania. Jeronimas Milius. He deserves his name to be remembered. All of you, who got this far with reading this post, please remember the name. This man, with amazing eyes, enters the stage completely by himself. There was no backing singers, no objects on the stage, no instruments, and no pianos. Just one man holding a mic. One man and his voice. I was under a spell. Is Lithuania only country with musical taste? I wannet him to pass to the finals. He didn't... One man who could sing. Maybe it's not right from my part to talk like this because of the other contestants, because there were a lot of nice songs this year, but Jeronimas from Lithuania really showed what the music really is. His performance left me speechless. I just have to be thankful that I have the opportunity to hear him live. For me, he is the true winner...
I got kind of lost talking about the elvish-looking Lithuanian singer. I'll continue with Croatia. Their song brought me back to my youth, when my dad was teaching me how to play old Serbian town songs. Melody was quite a like... I loved it! The old man that is talking in song... I took a picture with him also. He's so kind and sweet and... I loved him really!
Their neighbors (and ours) Bosnia... Completely opposite... "Pokušaću da te poljubim a ti se pravi luuuuudaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" GO LAKA! I'm glad they passed to the finals. Really fun song! Don't even have to explain how crazy Laka is... and his sister too... I have to say that all the volunteers cheered for the Bosnian singer. Probably cause he decided to mention us at the press conference and to say what great job we're doing (and they don't even pay us). lol.. but anyway, really sweet of him.
I have to mention Belarus. Their song was not amongst my favorites, but when I heard the Russian version of the song, I loved it! Unlike the English one. The reason why I'm mentioning them is because of this wonderful woman that was the head of the Belarus delegation. She put so much effort in organizing and making sure that every performance and press conference of the Belarus goes well. I really did my best to help her out as much as I can. I have to say that the only reason why I liked Belarus that much is because of her. But unfortunately, they didn't make it to the finals... I was at their party. Real success! Of course, since they knew I was a volunteer, they kind of asked me to help them. So I did of course, and it was working as much as partying for me. But it was interesting never the less...
I'm thinking of more countries that deserved to be mentioned. Countries like Switzerland, San Marino, France, England, Finland or Turkey... I have to say I liked their songs. Some of the singers I met in person and talked to them a bit. They are all nice people. There is this one country I'd like to leave for the end. The country that should have, if it wasn't for the Russian genius stage performance with Plyushchenko and violinist, won the competition. The song that gives me shivers whenever I hear it. Before I mention that song, I'd like to write a bit about Denmark. I don't think anyone has got this far reading this post, but I don't care. I'm writing it mainly for myself, so if someone is still reading, then I'm truly honored.
The country I'd like to mention next is Denmark. It's one of the 3 countries I've voted for. 2nd was Russia, and the 3rd one I'm leaving for the very end.
Denmark... Simon Mathew... I don't know if you saw his performance. With this cute beginning of the 20th century look, old-fashioned hat on his head and catchy and relaxing rhythm combined with sweet relaxing music and nice lyrics, he was one of my favorites this year. I can't say the song is better then some other ones, musically speaking, but I felt so relaxed and nice during and after his performance that it just made me vote for him. I'll have to send him some e-mail to congratulate him on his performance and thank him for the song.. It really made my day brighter. Since the moment I heard the song in the live performance in the Arena (and that was the first time I heard it), I was simply in love with it. I'll have to pay for that love when my phone bill arrives, but oh well... Simon Mathew people... All night long.. Remember that song and look it up. It will definitely make your day...
The country that is the last to be mentioned is at the same time the country with the best song of this years Eurovision song contest. I know the thing I said for the Lithuania. But that guy put a spell on me, so it's not really fair. If we really really listen to the music, performance, voice and everything in general, Portugal would win, not Lithuania.... Vanya is the name of the singer. Song was composed by the famous Croatian composer Andrej Babic. He is famous, at least in Balkan, believe me... If I know his name, then he is famous... lol
Portugal... Where can I find the words to describe the beauty of this song? Senhora do Mar (Žena mornara in Serbian.. yes.. she made a Serbian version). You think that's the reason I liked this song so much? Well it's not... It's true that I heard the song in my own language, I started to cry... People who know me actually know that I don't really cry. I laugh (cause I find my crying funny) and tears are dropping at the same time. It really is funny.. But never mind that, I'm talking about the song now. http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=MFpfYWmVnIs here is the link. Portuguese is such a beautiful language! Enjoy the song... I'm sure it's not as powerful sounding as when you hear it live, but listen to the song really carefully. The combination of her voice with the backup vocals... It's just amazing. Music as well... One of the comments I've read there in Spanish... This song is too good for this festival. It really is. But people don't appreciate real music. Ukraine and Greece at the 2nd and 3rd spot proves that. I'm not saying those songs are bad... Well, they are, but that's only my personal opinion. The point is that those songs will be this year hit, and then everyone will forget about them... But songs like Portuguese one... They literally touch your heart and soul. They leave some trace on you. Give you something to think about. Songs that actually tell the story through music and voices, not only lyrics... That's why this song is with Lithuania my number one song.
The songs I'd like to be in the top and that i voted for: Russia (for the performance of Plyushchenko. The song is not bad, but can't be compared to Portuguese one), Lithuania (just the sheer magic of his appearance and voice. One man, alone in the stage, and music surrounding him) Denmark (Simon Mathew people... It's the most enjoyable and relaxing song I've heard recently. It really made my day! I can't describe how much I enjoyed it and I'm really gratefull that the song was made.. simply wonderfull) and Portugal (the most beautiful song of all. You can feel the story behind it, since the waves crashing, feel the pain purring out of the song and curse the ocean that feeds you but takes you away the most precious things you own).
Is this a good way to finish the post? I just realized I never mentioned my own country. Do you want to know what I think of our song? Of course you don't, but I'll tell you anyway... It's nice. I like it. We always send songs in our own language, and I'm proud of that. Beautiful music, beautiful lyrics, ethnically colored. It's a nice song... And singer is really sweet and kind. Thank you for representing us the way you did Jelena... That's all I can say.
The contest in general was well organized; the volunteering was fun, although difficult at the times. The friends I've made there, the experience I got, the singers and other persons I had the opportunity to meet... No one can take that away from me. All in all, I'm happy that I was a part of it... And to all of you who think badly of my country, I hope you'll change your mind now... We're not that bad in the end... hehe screw the politics, that's the only thing that spoils our image in the world I'd say... Well, maybe not the only thing, but.. Ok, I'm starting to loose my track of thoughts now. This post was about the Eurovision.
That would be it. 2 wonderful, yet tough weeks of music and partying and simply hanging around. If you want to experience something similar, then come to Belgrade next summer by all means, when we'll be organizing 2009 universiade. Now that will be something!
Ok, now I will definitely finish this post. For all of those who had the patience enough to read it entirely: Well Done! I don't know if you consider it the waste of your time. Those were just some of my thoughts and messy impressions from this music event I was part of... Hope you have the idea what I wannet to say in the end (cause I'm not sure if I had any idea). I'm starting to loose the track of my thoughts again, so I'll stop writing in a moment. Thanks again for coming this far with reading and hope you had fun at least.. lol
Can't finish it with "lol" so I'll just put
Hugs and kisses and best regards from Belgrade!
Milena




