Baku

While the time is counting down to the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, the host country Azerbaijan is working on the details of the contest, also preparing some surprises for their visitors, such as The Museum of Eurovision.

As thousands of Eurovision fans start to make plans about how they're going to get to Baku, the Azerbaijani Government is gearing up as well - in terms of improving the transport system and fighting illegal merchandise.

Singing, dancing, cheering and waving flags like a crazed person will all be thirsty work at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.  The good news is the event now has an official Eurovision beer to help slake everyone's thirst.  Baltika-Baku brewery announced it's the official partner of the 2012 contest.

Anti smoking campaigners in Azerbaijan are concerned that smoking in public places will damage Baku's image during the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. The country has no laws on this area, but the issue has now been raised in the parliament. 

Do you know how to ask for help in Azeri?  Perhaps not, but fear not, the Azerbaijan Interior Ministry is on the job!

The tension between Armenia and next year's host country of the Eurovision Song Contest is not yet settled. The head of ARM TV council, Alexan Harutyunyan, has stormed out by stating "We don't need Azerbaijan's half guarantees.". He wants some more solid guarantees before he can confirm his country's participation. 

Azerbaijan has been in a frenzy of excitement since winning Eurovision Song Contest 2011, with the capital Baku hosting the 2012 event. However Baku's infrastructure lags far behind recent host cities. With an expected 60,000 visitors, there is some doubt as to whether Baku will cope.

It's no secret that the victory of Ell & Nikki for Azerbaijan in this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf raised concerns both with individuals as well as numerous human rights organisations, describing the eurasian country as a dictatorship. The ambitious plans of Azerbaijan to host next year's contest are already incensing many.

On the countdown to the 57th Eurovision Song Contest, EBU, the European Broadcasting Union delegation, visit next year's host country, Azerbaijan. The delegation made some investigations prior to the contest and also had a meeting with the coming host broadcaster, İçtimai TV.

Fake tickets are already floading on the net, but no tickets for 2012 Eurovision Song Contest will be for sale before late December or early January.

The Azerbaijani president, İlham Aliev, released a circular letter for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, which will be held in Azerbaijan next year. In this circular, Mr Aliev pinpointed his latest decisions for the venue. This includes the construction of an new arena.

Two weeks after winning the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest people are still discussing whether or not Azerbaijan only won as a result of Turkey not making it to the final. And why did the winning couple run on stage waving the Turkish flag instead of the Azerbaijani one?

According to rumours, which EBU does not want to deny or confirm, a stop for internal selections will be a part of the coming rules for the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest. The new rule will require that the population has a vote in who gets to represent their country at the international contest. 

The political issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia might result in the latter withdrawing from next year's Eurovision Song Contest. The Azeri broadcaster however regrets that and EBU states that they expect the same security for all teams, also the Armenian. 

On Saturday night, Azerbaijan won the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in their 4th competition, with Eldar and Nigar, known as Ell & Nikki, and their song, Running Scared. As the country won the competition, the media in Azerbaijan reacted very positively.

Azerbaijan won the 56th Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf. After an exciting voting the duo Ell/Nikki won with a total of 221 points leaving Italy and Sweden behind them.

On the way to Düsseldorf, Azerbaijan has decided on their participating song. Running Scared will be performed by national final winners Eldar and Nigar who are nicknamed Ell and Nikki, in Düsseldorf.

After all those semi-final selections which has been progressing since October, Azerbaijan finally chose the singer who will represent them in May. Two lucky names out of 77 took the golden ticket for Düsseldorf, where the contest will be held this year.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has suprisingly announced the postponing of the 3rd Eurovision Dance Contest 2009, which would have been held in Baku, to 2010. The main reason was declared as the number of broadcasters that signed up for participation did not reach the desired level.

The European Broadcasting Union has offically announced that the third Eurovision Dance Contest will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan this year. The contest will be held at the Haydar Aliyev Sports and Concerts Complex in September 2009.