First meeting of Eurovision Song Contest’s Reference Gropu held in Baku

The first meeting of the Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest was held in Baku on August 31 and September 1. “itv.az” website reported that at the meeting the Public Television informed the members of the Reference Group on the preparative to the 57th “Eurovision” Song Contest which will be held in May next year. They also discussed the works carried out on “Eurovision-2012” Song Contest as well as the organizational issues.

The Reference Group was also informed about Heydar Aliyev Foundation, which accepted the proposal of Public TV and Radio in connection with the organization of “Eurovision” Song Contest. After the acquaintance with the Foundation’s great projects in the social, cultural, educational and other spheres, the members of the Reference Group said that this cooperation would be significant for successful holding of “Eurovision” Song Contest.

Chairman of the Reference Group Frank-Dieter Freiling reminded his first visit to Azerbaijan 5 years ago and noted progress in the country and Baku city’s changing: “It shows that everything will be very beautiful till the contest. This contest is a great opportunity from the point of view of the country’s popularization”, Freiling said.

Director of the “Eurovision TV” Jorgen Frank expressed satisfaction with the bilateral cooperation between EBU and Public TV and said that his cooperation wouldn’t be finished with the “Eurovision” Song Contest. He said that “Eurovision” Song Contest had been living for 56 years and informed that this contest was a long-lived TV project: “The host of the concerts does a novelty every year. This contest restarts every time and every broadcaster which hosts the contest brings a novelty to the project. The meeting which was held in Baku inspired us. I am sure that we will witness a grandiose show in Baku next year”.

Head of the “Eurovision” Song Contest Jon Ola Sand and the contest’s head of organization committee Sietse Bekker said that they highly assessed the preparative and added that that “Eurovision-2012” would be a memorable show.

Members of the Reference Group got acquainted with the technical capabilities of the Public TV. The guests exchanged view on “Eurovision” Song Contest at the meeting with the creative team.

Semi-final of the “Eurovision-2012” Song Contest will be held on may 22-24, final – on May 26 in Baku.


/APA/