Marija Serifovic preparing new album for European market

Marija Serifovic is currently preparing new album in English language for the European market.


While she is recording new songs with which she plans to conquer foreign music scene, she talk for "Blic" about music, successes, as well as jealousy and hard times in showbusiness and discloses future collaboration with a foreign musician.


"As the winner of last year’s Eurovision, I had a chance to go on European tour and see the difference between our and their way of organizing work and I realized it is completely different. Unlike Serbia where everything is done ad hoc, people do there everything on time. Of course they have a higher standard as well, so they can invest more in the quality of music. I agree that it is not easy to make an international career, but it is possible. From the beginning of my career I have tried hard to be different from other musicians. It is hard to make the career in Europe, but I am on my way to realize it. That is my wish, intention and ultimate goal."

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Ukraine - Ani Lorak LIVE in Final - video

Ani Lorak - Shady Lady - live in 2008 Eurovision Song Contest Final -2nd place

Greece: Kalomoira LIVE in the Final - video

Kalomoira live in 2008 Eurovision Song Contest Final - 3rd place



Well done Kalomoira!!

Ukraine LIVE - Second Semi Final - video

Ani Lorak "Shady Lady" LIVE - second semifinal -qualified

Sweden LIVE - Second Semi Final - video

Charlotte Perelli "Hero" live in 2nd semifinal

Croatia LIVE Second Semi Final -video

Eurovision 2008 - Croatia LIVE 2nd Semi Final


Kraljevi Ulice and 75 Cents "Romanca"

Second Semi-Final - Winners press conference and draw

After the Second Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest had finished, representatives of the ten qualifying countries gathered for the official winners press conference.

At the same time, their starting positions in the Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday were decided by drawing lots.

The winners press conference took the same format as that of the First Semi-Final on Tuesday. The winners made the journey back from the Beogradska Arena to the press conference hall. Upon arrival photographers were allowed two minutes for quick photographs. The conference then began and each country was allowed to answer two questions.

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Ukraine was drawn 18th in the final

Croatia was drawn 9th in the final

Albania was drawn 3rd in the final.

Iceland was drawn 11th in the final.

Denmark was drawn 16th in the final.

Sweden was drawn 15th in the final, the same position Charlotte won from in Jerusalem.

Latvia was drawn 14th in the final

Turkey was drawn 12th in the final.

Portugal was drawn 13th in the final.



EUROVISION 2008 FINAL DRAW






from oikotimes.com

The ten qualifiers of the second semifinal

The following countries have qualified for the Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest (in order of announcement):



Ukraine
Croatia
Albania
Iceland
Georgia
Denmark
Sweden
Latvia
Turkey
Portugal

Winners Press Conference - 1st semi final

After the first Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest had finished, representatives of the ten qualifying countries gathered for the official winners press conference. During the same occasion, their starting positions in the Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday were decided by drawing lots.

When all of the delegations had arrived from the Belgrade Arena back to the press centre, the winners press conference started. All the representatives of the qualifying countries got the opportunity to answer two questions for the press.

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Greece was drawn 21st in the Final

Romania was drawn 1st in the Final.

Bosnia and Herzegovina was drawn 6th in the Final.

Finland was drawn 8th in the Final.

Russia was drawn 24th in the Final.

Israel was drawn 7th in the Final.

Azerbaijan was drawn 20th in the Final.

Armenia was drawn 5th in the Final.

Poland was drawn 10th in the Final

Norway was drawn 25th in the Final.

First semi final results

The representatives of nineteen countries have presented their songs tonight in the First Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest.

After all songs had been presented, televoting started in all the participating countries as well as in Spain and Germany, who are already qualified for the Final, but were drawn to vote in the First Semi-Final.

Nine of the qualifying countries were decided by televoting. Furthermore, the highest placed song in the result of the national backup juries which was not yet qualified through televoting got a place in the Final as well. However, the TV public will only find out which country it was after the Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday.


The following countries have qualified for the Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest (in order of announcement):

Greece - video
Romania - video
Bosnia and Herzegovina - video
Finland - video
Russia - video
Israel - video
Azerbaijan - video
Armenia - video
Poland - video
Norway - video

eurovision.tv has an exclusive video with the reactions af all semi finalists right after their performance in front of the Eurovision.tv camera crew.

A single prop door for Russia and Greece

esctoday.com reports:

A potential staging problem has emerged after the stage production team realised that the props for the performances of Russia and Greece were too large and complex to switch in the 30 second gap between performances. After a round of heated debate, both sides are working against the clock to make changes to their props.
A spokesperson for the Greek delegation confirmed that there would be no movement of the commercial break to faciliate the movement of the two countries props. Neither country was prepared to accept the possibility. The problem seems to be that both performances have large and heavy props, and there is only one door to the stage for prop changes, as opposed to two or more in recent years. As a result, the switch-over between the two countries is taking longer than the time allowed.

The Greek delegation have adapted the giant book that turns into a heart, adding wheels to speed the movement of it to and from the stage. They are also looking to make the prop lighter in order to make sure everything is done during the alloted time period.

So far, we are informed that the Russians have agreed to look at changes to their props, but that no changes have been offered. They rejected the request to remove the ladder prop and are said to be very unhappy at the situation, although it has been strongly denied by both countries and the EBU that they threatened at any point to withdraw from the competition.

Portugal rehearsal and press conference

Vânia Fernandes has everything what is needed to succeed in the contest nowadays: a touching, melancholic song performed with utter professionalism! The charismatic Portuguese singer gave several faultless performances today, using the gigantic stage to great effect with dark-blue and green projections on the LED-screen.



Press conference

In her press conference Vânia expressed her happiness about being in Belgrade. When asked about the lyrics of the song, the composer, Carlos Coelho, explained that it's funded upon a historical poem and Vânia added that it is a very emotional song for her and that it is about her native country, Portugal. The Portuguese team explained that they went on promotional tour to Bulgaria and Malta. When asked if Vânia has plans for an album, she asked that she would like to start working on one.



sources: eurovision.tv; esckaz.com

FYR Macedonia rehearsal and press conference

Tamara, Vrčak, and Adrijan are young, talented, and very popular performers in FYR Macedonia.

During rehearsals, the team were trying one of two ideas they have for the stage performance in the Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final. The first idea involved a wall on stage, divided in to three parts, the left and right sides with photographs and the middle one being a gate. Tamara emerges through the gate at the start of the song, and there are two male dancers on stage and one female backing vocalist to support the trio.



Press conference

Head of Delegation Milanka Rasic introduced the team at the press conference. The first question came from a British journalist who was interested in finding out how the idea of three singers, who had enjoyed successful solo careers came together for the Eurovision Song Contest project. Vrčak replies "It was my idea, we were all close friends beforehand, I was the complete author of the song. I knew the others voices, so it was a natural choice really, we have the same energy."

Press conference part I


Press conference part II



Press conference part III





sources: eurovision.tv ; esckaz.com

Cyprus rehearsal and press conference

Evdokia Kadi, the singer representing Cyprus in the Second Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, amazed everyone with her performance.

Evdokia performs on and around a black dining table together with four backing dancers: She steps onto the table and leaves it again through "human" stairs, built by the backing dancers. Towards the end, the table is being popped up, revealing a red tablecloth, on which Evdokia takes a seat while the backing singers lift the table and carry it around.



Press conference

In the press conference, Evdokia was asked if she had ever considered singing Femme Fatale in any other language than Greek in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. She answered that they had tried out French and English version, but decided to stick to the original lyrics instead.
When the Head of Delegation was asked if Cyprus was ready to host the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, she reminded everyone that Cyprus will be the host of the 2008 Junior Eurovision Song Contest, and that therefore, the country would of course be able to host the Eurovision Song Contest, too.

source:eurovision.tv

Malta rehearsal and press conference

Morena is backed by a female vocal and four male dancers. The dancers choreography is up-tempo and tailored for the song which indeed will not be boring for the audience at the second Semi-Final on 22th of May. The four male dancers all wore black sunglasses, and Morena wore high-heeled, long boots decorated with small mirrors. The outfits for the live performance was revealed, and the theme is black with silver and black glitter.





Press conference

At the press conference after Morena's rehearsal, she told the fans and the accredited press that participating in the Eurovision Song Contest "is a dream come true". Moreover, the Maltese delegation elaborated on the meaning of the song, which is about Morena being a spy in a Russian setting where vodka is a secret code.



sources:eurovision.tv; esctoday.com

Hungary rehearsal and press conference

Hungarian singer Csézy had a stunning first rehearsal of her 2008 Eurovision Song Contest entry Candlelight. The classy ballad, beautifully performed by the pretty singer was well-received by the present media and fans.

Csézy is accompanied by a piano-player and four backing vocals. Vocally, there was no doubt that the attractive Hungarian can carry the song and the excellent backing vocals give the song some more depth.




Press conference

In the press conference, fans and media were treated with a short version of Csézy's song in Hungarian as well as an acapella version of the Hungarian song in the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest. Csézy revealed that there were five different outfits for her preview video offered to her, and she chose the Japanese-styled clothes as she liked them best.

source:eurovision.tv

Georgia rehearsal and press conference

Diana Gurtskaya, the Georgian representative in the Second Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest performed in front of a stage scenery that looked like a flowering meadow.

On stage, she was supported by five backing dancers, who all finished the stage act standing behind Diana.



Press conference

Diana Gurtskaya started her press conference by singing her song for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, Peace Will Come, a cappella, and she did the same with the Hebrew song Jerusalem Of Gold, which she had previously recorded as well. When Diana was asked if she believed in the message of her song, she responded that, in fact, she was convinced that peace will come sooner or later. Talking about that, she also referred to her home region in Georgia, which is still in state of war today.



sources: eurovision.tv; esckaz.com

Denmark rehearsal and press conference

Simon Mathew's performance is simple, though energetic, and together with his band, they perform All Night Long very impressively.

Besides Simon, the band consists of two male guitar players, a keyboard player, a drummer and a female backing singer.



Press conference

At the press conference after the rehearsal, the Danish delegation expressed their satisfaction with the rehearsal and the whole arrangement at the venue. In regards to the actual rehearsal, Simon Mathew said it went "excellent" and he was very excited about being in Belgrade, representing Denmark.



sources: eurovision.tv; esckaz.com

Czech Republic rehearsal and press conference

Tereza Kerndlová was brilliant throughout her rehearsal. In addition to Tereza, there are four female dancers on stage. The choreography of the dancers fits the song well because it brings out the feeling of being happy, having fun and being in a discotheque - just as the title of the song implies.



Press conference



sources: eurovision.tv; esctoday.com

Switzerland rehearsal and press conference

Swiss Paolo Meneguzzi entered the stage with a piano-player and four additional backing vocals.

Vocally, Paolo gave a solid rendering of his Era Stupendo which is very popular with Eurovision Song Contest fans.




Press conference

Paolo revealed in his press conference that his second passion besides music is soccer. He has frequently participated in charity soccer games with other singers, like Eros Ramazzotti, trying to raise money for children in need. When asked how he would feel entering the Eurovision Song Contest, he answered that he is used to taking part in music competitions as he has participated a lot of times in the Italian San Remo festival.



sources: eurovision.tv; esctoday.com