Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011

{{main|Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Prior to the 2011 contest, {{lang|az|İctimai Televiziya|i=no}} (İTV) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Azerbaijan three times since its first entry {{esccnty|Azerbaijan|y=2008|t=in 2008}}.{{cite web|title=Azerbaijan Country Profile|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/history/by-country/country?country=37|access-date=12 February 2015|publisher=EBU}} Since its debut, it has had a string of successful results, qualifying to the final and placing in the top ten each year, including a third-place result {{esccnty|Azerbaijan|y=2009|t=in 2009}} with the song "Always" performed by AySel and Arash. In {{esccnty|Azerbaijan|y=2010|t=2010}}, "Drip Drop" performed by Safura placed fifth.

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, İTV organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The broadcaster confirmed its intentions to participate at the 2011 contest on 31 May 2010.{{cite web|last=Halliwell|first=Mits|date=31 May 2010|title=EUROVISION 2011 - 14 countries already confirm participation for 2011|url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=8288|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605033101/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=8288|archive-date=June 5, 2010|access-date=4 August 2010|publisher=Oikotimes}} İTV had used various methods to select the its entry in the past, including internal selections as well as national finals to select both the artist and song. For its 2011 entry, the broadcaster opted to organize a new national final titled {{lang|az|Milli Seçim Turu}}, which featured a similar process to the Land of Fire national final used in 2008 and 2010 where the selection of a winning performer would subsequently be given an internally selected song to perform at Eurovision.{{cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |date=6 October 2010 |title=Azerbaijan kicks off Eurovision 2011 selection |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/16165 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101009022854/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/16165 |archive-date=9 October 2010 |access-date=7 October 2010 |publisher=EscToday.com}}

{{lang|az|Milli Seçim Turu 2011}} was the national final organised by İTV that selected its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. The competition consisted of nine shows that commenced on 15 November 2010 and concluded with a winning artist on 11 February 2011. All shows were broadcast on İTV and streamed online via the broadcaster's website itv.az. The final was also streamed online at the official Eurovision Song Contest website eurovision.tv and broadcast in Turkey on TRT Avaz as well as in Georgia on the GPB First Channel.{{Cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |date=11 February 2011 |title=Tonight: National final in Azerbaijan |url=http://esctoday.com/16711/tonight_national_final_in_azerbaijan/ |access-date=15 March 2021 |website=Esctoday}}

The national final consisted of two stages. The first stage involved interested artists attending auditions after submitting applications between 5 and 15 October 2010. Eligible artists were those that were citizens of Azerbaijan or part of the Azerbaijani diaspora.{{Cite web |date=5 October 2010 |title="Eurovision-2011" national selection tour starts! |url=http://en.itv.az/eurovisionsong/1547.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016065208/http://en.itv.az:80/eurovisionsong/1547.html |archive-date=2010-10-16 |access-date=15 March 2021 |website=itv.az}} 77 artists selected from 120 applicants advanced to the second stage, the televised shows.{{cite web |date=19 October 2010 |title=AZERBAIJAN - Ictamai gets 120 submissions for national selection |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=8983 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101230060326/http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=8983 |archive-date=30 December 2010 |access-date=19 October 2010 |publisher=Oikotimes}}{{cite web |date=3 November 2010 |title=AZERBAIJAN - Update on Azeri selection; 77 proceed |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=9082 |access-date=3 November 2010 |publisher=Oikotimes.com}} Nine shows including seven heats between 15 November 2010 and 31 December 2011 selected one artist from each show that would advance to the semi-final in January 2011.[http://news.day.az/showbiz/236790.html Eurovision 2011 "Champions' League" to Take Off in Azerbaijan]. Day.az. 3 November 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2010. In the semi-final, five artists were selected to advance to the final on 11 February 2011. In the final, the winner was selected from the remaining five artists.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2011 |title=Five finalists for Azerbaijan |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/five-finalists-for-azerbaijan |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=eurovision.tv}}

The results of the heats and semi-final were determined by the 50/50 combination of votes from public televoting and a seven-member jury panel. Each heat and semi-final took place across five days where the artists each performed cover versions of various songs in order to showcase their voice, dance ability and stage presence: world hits on Monday, Eurovision hits on Tuesday, Azerbaijani songs on Wednesday and a song of their choice on Thursday. The results were announced on Friday.{{Cite web |date=4 November 2010 |title=Milli seçim turunda ilk baxışın nəticələri açıqlanıb |url=http://az.itv.az/eurovision2011/15854.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110103529/http://az.itv.az/eurovision2011/15854.html |archive-date=2010-11-10 |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=itv.az}} For each of the eight shows, the public was able to cast their votes through telephone or SMS over the five days. In the final, the jury selected the Azerbaijani Eurovision contestant.{{Cite web |title=National selection rules for "Eurovision Song Contest – 2011" |url=http://en.itv.az/eurovision_song_contest_2011/national_selection_rules/2571.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110417192803/http://en.itv.az/eurovision_song_contest_2011/national_selection_rules/2571.html |archive-date=2011-04-17 |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=itv.az}}

The members of the jury were:{{Cite web |title=Nigar Jamal and Eldar Gasimov will represent Azerbaijan in Eurovision 2011 |url=https://www.eurovisiontalents.com/nigar-jamal-and-eldar-gasimov-will-represent-azerbaijan-in-eurovision-2011-eurovision-talents/ |website=eurovisiontalents.com|date=2 December 2018 }}

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• Ismail Omarov – General Director of İTV
• Lala Kazimova – President of the National Music Committee of Azerbaijan
• Rauf Babayev – singer
• Faiq Suceddinov – singer
• Zulfiyya Khanbabayeva – singer
• Zahra Badalbayli – musician and poet
• Manzar Nuraliyeva – representative of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan

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The seven heats took place between 15 November 2010 and 31 December 2010 at the İTV studios in Baku, hosted by Husniyya Maharramova and Leyla Aliyeva. The 77 artists each performed cover versions of various songs over five days and one artist was selected from each heat to advance to the semi-final based on the results of a public televote and a jury.{{Cite web |last=Hondal |first=Victor |date=31 December 2010 |title=Azerbaijan: Ilhame Gasimova and Nigar Jamal to the final |url=https://esctoday.com/16423/azerbaijan_ilhame_gasimova_and_nigar_jamal_to_the_final/ |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=Esctoday}} Tarik Yigit only participated in the first day of the first heat and therefore was disqualified from the competition.{{Cite web |date=19 November 2010 |title=Bu gün "Eurovision-2011" yarışmasında Azərbaycan təmsilçisinin seçilməsi üçün keçirilən seçimlərin yarımfinal mərhələsinin ilk qalibi məlum olacaq |url=https://apa.az/az/sou-biznes/-205077 |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=apa.az |language=az}} Eldar Gasimov and Nigar Jamal were awarded wildcards by the jury from the non-qualifying acts to advance to the semi-final.[http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/16392?id=16392&offset=54#reactions Azerbaijan: Ilgara Ibrahimova to the final, Eldar Gasimov - wildcard].{{cite web |date=31 December 2010 |title=Azerbaijan: Ilhame Gasinova and Nigar Jamal to the final |url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/16423 |access-date=31 December 2010 |publisher=EscToday.com}} Nicola Barclay was also awarded a jury wildcard, however she withdrew on 11 January 2011 due to illness and changes in the competition format.

The semi-final took place between 10 and 14 January 2011 at the İTV studios in Baku, hosted by Husniyya Maharramova and Leyla Aliyeva. The remaining nine artists each performed cover versions of various songs over five days and the top five artists were selected to advance to the final based on the results of a public televote and a jury.[http://news.day.az/showbiz/246333.html Date for Next Azerbaijan Eurovision 2011 Battle Determined]. Day.az. 4 January 2011.{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan 2011 |url=https://esckaz.com/2011/aze.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429200242/http://esckaz.com:80/2011/aze.htm |archive-date=2011-04-29}}

The final took place on 11 February 2011 at the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in Baku, hosted by Leyla Aliyeva. The remaining five artists each performed four cover versions of various songs: a world hit, an Azerbaijani song, a Eurovision hit from songs performed during the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 and a song of their choice. Nigar Jamal and Eldar Gasimov were selected by the jury as the winners.{{Cite web |last=Uluçay |first=Serkan |date=11 February 2011 |title=Eldar and Nigar chosen as Azerbaijani representatives after marathon selection process |url=https://eurovisionary.com/eurovision-news/eldar-and-nigar-chosen-azerbaijani-representatives-after-marathon-selection-process |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=EuroVisionary}} In addition to the performances of the artists, David Vendetta, Safura (who represented Azerbaijan in 2010), Sofia Nizharadze (who represented {{esccnty|Georgia|y=2010|t=Georgia in 2010}}), Senit (who represented {{esccnty|San Marino|y=2011|t=San Marino in 2011}}), and Anna Rossinelli (who represented {{esccnty|Switzerland|y=2011|t=Switzerland in 2011}}), performed during the show as guests.

On 11 January 2011, the broadcaster called for interested songwriters to submit their entries by 10 February 2011. Songwriters could be of any nationality.{{cite web |title=Azerbaijan: Ictimai TV call for songs |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/16459 |access-date=11 January 2011 |publisher=esctoday.com}} On 13 March 2011, İTV announced that Ell and Nikki would be performing the song "Running Scared". The selection of the song was based on the decision of İTV and the seven-member jury panel of Milli Seçim Turu 2011 from five potential songs shortlisted among 70 submissions from local and international songwriters.{{Cite web |last=Repo |first=Juha |date=13 March 2011 |title=Azerbaijan: song and video appear online |url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/17020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110426195117/http://esctoday.com/news/read/17020 |archive-date=2011-04-26 |access-date=15 March 2021 |website=Esctoday}}[http://echo-az.com/index.php?aid=1122 Azerbaijan to Perform in Semifinal 1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710165124/http://echo-az.com/index.php?aid=1122|date=2011-07-10}}. I.Asad. Echo. 25 January 2011. "Running Scared" was written by Stefan Örn, Sandra Bjurman and Iain James Farquharson, and was presented on the same day via the release of the official music video.{{Cite web |last=Uluçay |first=Serkan |date=13 March 2011 |title=Nigar and Eldar (Ell and Nikki) to Sing Running Scared in Düsseldorf |url=https://eurovisionary.com/eurovision-news/nigar-and-eldar-ell-and-nikki-sing-running-scared-duesseldorf |access-date=3 November 2022 |website=EuroVisionary}}

Ell and Nikki made several appearances across Europe to specifically promote "Running Scared" as the Azerbaijani Eurovision entry. Between 15 and 16 April, Ell and Nikki took part in promotional activities in Malta by appearing during the TVM talk show programmes Il-Lejla and Xarabank. On 17 April, Ell and Nikki performed "Running Scared" as the opening act for De-Phazz's concert which was held at the Glavclub venue in Saint Petersburg, Russia.{{Cite web |date=21 April 2011 |title=Азербайджанский дуэт Eldar & Nigar выступил на концерте De Phazz в рамках европейского промотура |url=http://www.star.life.az/index.php?newsid=2542 |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=star.life.az}} On 18 April, Ell and Nikki appeared during the ETV morning show programme Terevisioon in Estonia.{{Cite web |title=Eldar & Nigar (Azerbaijan) - Running Scared @ Terevisioon, ETV, Estonia |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QDWKM2T9qY&feature=youtu.be |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=YouTube}} On 20 April, Ell and Nikki performed "Running Scared" at a live concert which was held in Kyiv, Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=Jiandani |first=Sanjay (Sergio) |date=21 April 2011 |title=Azerbaijan: Eldar and Nigar in Tallinn and Kiev |url=https://esctoday.com/17205/azerbaijan_eldar_and_nigar_in_tallinn_and_kiev/ |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=Esctoday}}

File:Ell & Nikki - Azerbaijan (Eurovision Song Contest 2011).jpg

According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 17 January 2011, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in.{{cite web |last=Bakker |first=Sietse |date=16 January 2011 |title=Düsseldorf gets ready for exchange and draw |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=23663&_t=D%C3%BCsseldorf+gets+ready+for+exchange+and+draw |access-date=16 January 2011 |work=European Broadcasting Union}} Azerbaijan was placed into the first semi-final, to be held on 10 May 2011, and was scheduled to perform in the second half of the show.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2011 |title=Results of the Semi-Final Allocation Draw |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/results-of-the-semi-final-allocation-draw-2 |access-date=18 November 2021 |website=eurovision.tv}} The running order for the semi-finals was decided through another draw on 15 March 2011 and Azerbaijan was set to perform in position 18, following the entry from {{esccnty|Lithuania|y=2011}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|Greece|y=2011}}.

The two semi-finals and final were broadcast in Azerbaijan on İTV with commentary by Leyla Aliyeva.{{cite web |title=Leyla Əliyeva: "Yoldaşımla İctimai Televiziyada tanış olmuşuq, o rejissor, mən aparıcıyam" |url=http://modern.az/articles/14044/1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421025001/http://modern.az/articles/14044/1 |archive-date=21 April 2012 |access-date=22 May 2011 |publisher=Modern.az |df=dmy-all}} İTV appointed Safura Alizadeh, who represented Azerbaijan in 2010, as its spokesperson to announce the Azerbaijani votes during the final.

Ell and Nikki took part in technical rehearsals on 2 and 6 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 9 and 10 May. This included the jury final where professional juries of each country watched and voted on the competing entries.

The Azerbaijani performance featured Ell and Nikki dressed in white outfits designed by Lars Wallin and performing with four backing vocalists.{{Cite web |date=6 May 2011 |title=Ell/Niki (Azerbaijan) 2nd press conference |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/ell-niki-azerbaijan-2nd-press-conference |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=eurovision.tv}} The performance began with the backing vocalists standing in a line before walking off in sync to reveal Ell and Nikki behind them. The LED screens displayed predominantly white colours which later changed to gold blinking lights and the performance also included a pyrotechnic waterfall effect.{{Cite web |date=2 May 2011 |title=White lights and mellow contrasts for Azerbaijan |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/white-lights-and-mellow-contrasts-for-azerbaijan |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=eurovision.tv}}{{Cite web |date=6 May 2011 |title=Modern sounds from Azerbaijan |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/modern-sounds-from-azerbaijan |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=eurovision.tv}} The performance was directed by Rennie Mirro and Filip Adamo.{{Cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |date=29 April 2019 |title=Latvia: Ell & Nikki's Creative Director Brought In For Carousel |url=https://eurovoix.com/2019/04/29/latvia-ell-nikkis-creative-director-brought-in-for-carousel/ |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=Eurovoix}} The four backing vocalists that joined Ell and Nikki on stage were Åsa Engman, Jessica Marberger, Lisa Stadell and Vera Prada.{{Cite web |title=Azerbaijan |url=https://sixonstage.com/country/azerbaijan |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=Six on Stage}}

At the end of the show, Azerbaijan was announced as having finished in the top ten and subsequently qualifying for the grand final. It was later revealed that Azerbaijan placed second in the semi-final, receiving a total of 122 points.{{cite web |title=First Semi-Final of Düsseldorf 2011 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/dusseldorf-2011/first-semi-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430073447/https://eurovision.tv/event/dusseldorf-2011/first-semi-final |archive-date=30 April 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}

File:ESC 2011 Winner Azerbaijan.JPG

Shortly after the first semi-final, a winners' press conference was held for the ten qualifying countries. As part of this press conference, the qualifying artists took part in a draw to determine the running order for the final. This draw was done in the order the countries were announced during the semi-final. Azerbaijan was drawn to perform in position 19, following the entry from {{esccnty|Austria|y=2011}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|Slovenia|y=2011}}.{{Cite web |date=11 May 2011 |title="We'll do even better in Final" say first qualifiers |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/we-ll-do-even-better-in-final-say-first-qualifiers |access-date=4 November 2022 |website=eurovision.tv}}

Ell and Nikki once again took part in dress rehearsals on 13 and 14 May before the final, including the jury final where the professional juries cast their final votes before the live show. The duo performed a repeat of their semi-final performance during the final on 14 May. Azerbaijan won the contest placing first with a score of 221 points. This was Azerbaijan's first victory in the Eurovision Song Contest since its first entry in 2008.{{cite web |last=Bruce |first=Walker |title=Blue can't but Ell and Nikki can |date=13 March 2009 |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/2011/05/15/blue-can-t-but-ell-and-nikki-can-86908-23132629/ |access-date=15 May 2011}}{{cite web |title=Grand Final of Düsseldorf 2011 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/dusseldorf-2011/grand-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430073450/https://eurovision.tv/event/dusseldorf-2011/grand-final |archive-date=30 April 2021 |access-date=30 April 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}

File:ESC 2011 Points for AZ.png

Voting during the three shows consisted of 50 percent public televoting and 50 percent from a jury deliberation. The jury consisted of five music industry professionals who were citizens of the country they represent. This jury was asked to judge each contestant based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act. In addition, no member of a national jury could be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently.

Following the release of the full split voting by the EBU after the conclusion of the competition, it was revealed that Azerbaijan had placed first with the public televote and second with the jury vote in the final. In the public vote, Azerbaijan scored 223 points, while with the jury vote, Azerbaijan scored 182 points. In the first semi-final, Azerbaijan placed second with both the public televote and the jury vote. In the public vote, Azerbaijan scored 124 points, while with the jury vote, Azerbaijan scored 109 points.{{cite web |last=Bakker |first=Sietse |date=26 May 2011 |title=EBU reveals split televoting and jury results |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=36713 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110528173042/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=36713 |archive-date=28 May 2011 |access-date=30 April 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}} With their entry only receiving 5.26 points per country, Azerbaijan holds the record of the lowest average score for a winning song under the previous voting system (in place from 1975 to 2015). Under the current voting system (since 2016), no winning song has received this low average score per set of votes (number of voting countries × 2). Since the introduction of semi-finals and the split jury-televoting system, they are also the third winner not to achieve first place in their semi-final (which was won by Greece), and not winning according to the juries' ranking (which placed Italy first).

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Azerbaijan and awarded by Azerbaijan in the first semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Turkey in the semi-final and to Ukraine in the final of the contest.

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File:Stamps of Azerbaijan, 2011-954.jpg

Since winning the Eurovision final 2011, Jamal and Gasimov travelled to many European countries to perform their winning entry in the contest. The singers also received "Peace and Friendship Award" in Zonguldak's Ereğli district for carrying a Turkish flag onstage during final scene.{{cite web|title=Azerbaijani artists accept award in Turkey|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=azerbaijani-artists-accept-award-in-turkey-2011-07-11|access-date=17 July 2011}} Azerbaijan issued a postage stamp dedicated to Azerbaijan's victory with Gasimov and Jamal at Eurovision.{{cite web|title=Ell & Nikki (2011) IN POST STAMPS |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/06/13/ell-nikki-2011-in-post-stamps/ |access-date=17 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806022740/http://www.oikotimes.com/eurovision/2011/06/13/ell-nikki-2011-in-post-stamps/ |archive-date=6 August 2011 }}{{cite web|title=Stamps on Azerbaijan's Eurovision-2011 win issued|url=http://www.news.az/articles/eurovision/39794|access-date=17 July 2011}} In 2011, Ell and Nikki also became the official faces of Nar Mobile, one of Azerbaijan's mobile communication providers.

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110423182055/http://eldarnigar.eurovisiontalents.com/ Eldar and Nigar] - Official Website of Azerbaijani Participants for Eurovision 2011.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110516130814/http://eldarnigar.eurovisiontalents.com/videos/eldar-nigar-have-won-eurovision-song-contest-2011 Eldar & Nigar - Eurovision 2011 Winners]! (official video)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110215033715/http://en.itv.az/eurovision_song_contest_2011/index.1.html ITV's official Eurovision site]
• [http://eurovisionaz.com Eurovision Azerbaijan Official Website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20140517100449/http://eurovisionazerbaijan.net/ Eurovision Azerbaijan Fan Website]

{{Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2011}}

2011

Category:Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011

Eurovision