Eurovision is the name of the TV distribution network of the association of 75 television and radio broadcasting companies. However, today in Europe and around the world it is associated only with the annual international song competition, which has been held by this organization for 56 years. The latest final on May 26 ended in the capital of Azerbaijan with a colorful TV show.
The first official event of the 57th pop song contest took place at the beginning of the year - on January 25, a solemn ceremony was held in Baku to hand over the symbolic Eurovision key from the mayor of the host city of the previous song TV show to the mayor of Baku. On the same day, the drawing of lots for two semi-finals was held, from participation in which, according to the rules of the competition, representatives of the host country and the 5 founding countries of the competition (Great Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Spain) were exempted. Of course, such an event was also designed as a TV show with performances by the winners of previous years, Azerbaijani artists and with a spectacular presentation of Eurovision 2012 symbols.
The main competition began on May 22 with the first semi-final, which was attended by artists from 18 countries, including Russia. On the huge stage of the ultra-modern Crystal Hall, specially built for this event, "Buranovskie grandmothers" with a Russian stove and Udmurt pies created an impressive contrast. At the same time, they looked quite organic in a huge hall equipped with sophisticated lighting equipment and mechanics that give rise to magical illusions, and the catchy motive of the song fully corresponded to modern trends in pop music. As a result of the voting, they received 152 points - more than any other participant in this semi-final. The second was a singer from Albania, who, perhaps, with such a voice could win any competition of opera singers.
The second semi-final took place two days later and identified 10 more finalists and finally formed a list of 26 participants in the main final. In this selection, the greatest impression was made by the Swedish singer Lorin, and the most beautiful song in terms of melody was presented by the Serb Zeljko Jokimic. These two got the most points in the second semi-final - 181 and 159.
On May 26, the decisive round of the song competition took place. The Azerbaijani organizers of the show held it at the highest level, and the European Union of TV broadcasters created a simply enchanting television show out of it. The sports results of the final only confirmed the conclusions drawn from the semifinal performances. Lorine Zineb Noka Talhaoui (Lorin), a Swede with North African roots, who performed the song Euphoria, became the best by a wide margin and 372 points. The second place in the voting process several times passed from the Serb Yokimich with the song Nije Ljubav Stvar to our grandmothers with the song Party For Everybody. As a result, the Russians nevertheless scored more points - 259 against 214.
