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Post by zgembo on May 20, 2008 1:39:45 GMT -5
EUROVISION 2008Russia and Serbia favoriteThe first Eurovision Semi-Final is just a day away, but the odds makers will take bets on the show until the last minute. For the first time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, two Semi-Finals will be held to decide which 25 countries will be represented in the Final. The first Semi-Final will take place tomorrow. Just as in the United States American Idol is the leader of entertainment betting, in Europe that role is taken by the Eurovision song contest. Looking at the odds offered by the European online bookmaker Bet365, Russia is the top favorite to win the 2008 Eurovision with odds 3/1, followed by Serbia, the host country of this year's Eurovision song contest with odds 5/1. Russia will be represented by veteran Dima Bilan, who attracted the world’s attention in May 2006 when he represented Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 in Athens. Much now is riding on the shoulders of Dima Bilian, especially hosting the next Eurovision song contest. But Dima will have to go through the second favorite, represented by Jelena Tomašević feat. Bora Dugic. Serbia was the winner of the last Eurovision Song Contest, hence the country is hosting the 2008 edition of the song competition. Jelena has a tough act to follow after Marija Šerifović's victory in Helsinki, but will be hoping she can make it two victories back to back for Serbia with the song Oro. Following Russia and Serbia on the Eurovision song contest odds sheet comes Ukraine at 11/2 and then Armenia at 6/1. Keep in mind that the odds will start changing very frequently as the first Eurovision semi-final nears, lock your bets while you can. Published on 05/19/2008 www.ogpaper.com/news/news-01989.html
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Post by zgembo on May 20, 2008 1:43:49 GMT -5
Belgrade "Nikola Tesla" Airport ready to welcome visitors of "Eurosong"Belgrade "Nikola Tesla" Airport is ready to welcome guests and tourists arriving to Belgrade for international manifestation "Eurosong". In this period between 10.000 and 15.000 people are expected to come to Belgrade, and all those arriving by air, Belgrade airport will meet and dispatch successfully. All technical and human resources are engaged in full capacity. The highest passenger inflow is expected during two weeks, from 12 to 26 May. During these two weeks we estimate to have between 105.000 and 110.000 passengers in arrival and departure. The "peak" days will be 25 and 26 May, when contestants and visitors of "Eurosong" will be returning. Within scheduled service foreign airlines will have 170 flights each and our national airline "Jat Airways" 190 flights each week. According to announcements of airlines in the large number of cases for scheduled flights they will have aircraft of larger capacity than planned for the summer timetable. Also larger number of flights is expected in charter traffic. Concerning information for passengers, we already have a counter of Tourist Organization of Serbia and Tourist Organization of Belgrade in Arrivals of Terminal 2. There are very good and quality maps of Belgrade and other promotion material of Belgrade and Serbia, in six world languages. Also, volunteers in organization of "Eurosong", Serbian Broadcasting Corporation (RTS) are meeting guests of this manifestation at Belgrade Airport as the first instance where foreigners are getting impressions about Serbia. Also during "Eurosong" Belgrade "Nikola Tesla" Airport will organize promotion of Serbia on its own grounds. During this manifestation it is also planned to improve functioning of taxi service. Belgrade "Nikola Tesla" Airport is open and cooperates with all institutions and organizer of "Eurosong" for all possible suggestions and assistance during receipt of guests from abroad. (Economy, May 16.) www.economy.co.yu/eng/839/Belgrade--Nikola-Tesla--Airport-ready-to-welcome-visitors-of--Eurosong-.html
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Post by radovic on May 20, 2008 9:25:30 GMT -5
Novak Djokovic will open the “Eurovision Song Contest” Nole and Divac as part of the “Eurovision” program Author: E.B. | 19.05.2008 - 06:00
Novak Djokovic, the best Serbian tennis player, will open the “Eurovision Song Contest” on Tuesday on May 20, and besides him, the legendary basketball player Vlade Divac will also take part in one of the greatest European music competition.
In an interview after the lost semi-final tennis match in Hamburg, Djokovic was asked by the journalists about the preparations and the date of his arrival in Paris, for the second Grand Slam tournament Roland Garros. “I need several days to rest,” he said, adding that he has certain obligations in Serbia, and that he will arrive in Paris on Wednesday. When inquisitive journalists tried to find out what kind of obligations are in question, he said that some of them are very interesting. “I will be at the opening ceremony of the “Eurovision Song Contest” on Tuesday evening,” Djokovic answered, but did not say precisely what role he is going to have. When they asked him whether he is going to sing, he said: “ I think that there are many better candidates in Serbia for singing than me.” Apart form Djokovic, our well-known basketball player Vlade Divac will also participate in the opening program. The final evening of the “Eurovision” titled the “Confluence” will start with the performance of Marija Serifovic's song “Molitva” in a new arrangement, which will be a great performance with 21 dancers, as well as with the performance of Goran Bregovic and his “Wedding and Funeral Orchestra”.
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Post by zgembo on May 21, 2008 7:21:14 GMT -5
First Semi-Final: The qualifiers!20/May 2008 @ 23:04 by Marco BreyThe First Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest has just finished, and the ten countries qualifying for the Final are known. Read more about the magnificient show and the outcome here on Eurovision.tv! The representatives of nineteen countries have presented their songs tonight in the First Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. The theme of the show, presented by Jovana Janković and Željko Joksimović, was "City", whereas the theme of the Second Semi-Final will be "Water". 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, while the other directly qualified finalists - France, The United Kingdom and Serbia - get to vote in the Second 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 qualifiers The following countries have qualified for the Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest (in order of announcement): * Greece * Romania * Bosnia and Herzegovina * Finland * Russia * Israel * Azerbaijan * Armenia * Poland * Norway www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=1039
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Kralj Vatra
Amicus
Warning: Sometimes uses foul language & insults!!!
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Posts: 9,814
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Post by Kralj Vatra on May 21, 2008 7:54:45 GMT -5
We voted for BIH!!!! However Kalomira rules!
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Post by zgembo on May 22, 2008 9:38:19 GMT -5
High camp meets Balkan brooding as Eurovision lands in Belgrade The Associated Press Thursday, May 22, 2008BELGRADE, Serbia: Hotels are packed, the city's all dolled up, and foreigners are everywhere. Eurovision, the continent's kitsch and wildly popular song contest, has descended on Belgrade and Serbs have seized on the event as a rare chance to show they are part of Europe after years of pariah status during the wars of the 1990s. But the annual songfest that celebrates European fraternity comes at a time when anti-European sentiment has been on the rise in Serbia and nationalists loyal to late autocrat Slobodan Milosevic appear poised to form a government. The ambivalence is typical of Serbia, which often bristles at Western pressure and yet has shown eagerness to move closer to mainstream Europe. "We are a European country, we are Europe, no one can take that away from us," 34-year-old nurse Dragana Djokic said ahead of Saturday's final. Djokic says she is thrilled that "Europe has come to Serbia" with the Eurovision Song Contest, which Serbia won the right to host when Serb singer Marija Serifovic won last year with her ballad "Molitva" ("Prayer"). Djokic said she was proud to show off her city to foreigners. "Once they come here, they see we are not that bad," she said. Indeed, after years of isolation under Milosevic, Belgrade recently has gained a reputation as a vibrant city with a first-rate party scene that has attracted a growing stream of foreigners. Hungry for international praise, the authorities have gone out of their way to make sure the contest is organized perfectly and all the estimated 15,000 guests feel at home. But even with Eurovision fever gripping Belgrade, Serbia's other, grimmer image remains on display. Only a few months ago, rioting nationalists attacked U.S. and other Western embassies in an outburst of anger over Western recognition of the independence of Kosovo, which Serbs consider their medieval heartland. One person was killed and Belgrade's city center was badly damaged. On May 11, a general election ended inconclusively despite a strong lead by a pro-European coalition. With nationalists teaming up, Serbia now looks likely to get a far-right government that would halt the country's EU integration and turn it toward Russia instead. Despite their anti-European stance, the nationalists say they have nothing against hosting the song competition. Meanwhile, Eurovision, which enjoys a large gay following, has brought into the open the troubles of Serbia's beleaguered homosexual community. One nationalist group, "Obraz" (Honor), has threatened to attack any gays displaying their sexuality in public during Eurovision. Boris Milicevic, from "Gay-Straight Alliance" says most Serbs still believe homosexuality is illness. "Serbian people think that homosexuals should not have places where they could gather and socialize," Milicevic said. "Such a level of homophobia in Serbia is among the highest in Europe." That became clear in 2001 when Serbia's gays and lesbians tried to hold the country's first "Gay Pride" event but ended up being beaten by extremists as the police looked on. So far, the Eurovision events have passed without major incidents. Henrik Schmitz, 29, and Stefan Unger, 32, from Frankfurt, Germany, said the only trouble they have faced was a group of Serbian youths shouting insults. "All in all, it's not that bad," Schmitz said. www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/05/22/europe/EU-GEN-Serbia-Eurovision.php
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Kralj Vatra
Amicus
Warning: Sometimes uses foul language & insults!!!
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Post by Kralj Vatra on May 22, 2008 9:55:06 GMT -5
"But the annual songfest that celebrates European fraternity comes at a time when anti-European sentiment has been on the rise in Serbia — and nationalists loyal to late autocrat Slobodan Milosevic appear poised to form a government."
Its because of wording like this, that i am not able to hold and read a newspaper, especially of western origin.
"Hungry for international praise, the authorities have gone out of their way to make sure the contest is organized perfectly and all the estimated 15,000 guests feel at home."
A perfectly dirty sentence.
"Only a few months ago, rioting nationalists attacked U.S. and other Western embassies in an outburst of anger over Western recognition of the independence of Kosovo, which Serbs consider their medieval heartland. One person was killed and Belgrade's city center was badly damaged."
Patriots...
"On May 11, a general election ended inconclusively despite a strong lead by a pro-European coalition. With nationalists teaming up, Serbia now looks likely to get a far-right government that would halt the country's EU integration and turn it toward Russia instead."
Weren't those guys fighting the far-left for some 40 years, as the ultimate evil? Isn't far-right the exact opposite of far-left?
"Boris Milicevic, from "Gay-Straight Alliance" says most Serbs still believe homosexuality is illness.Serbian people think that homosexuals should not have places where they could gather and socialize," Milicevic said. "Such a level of homophobia in Serbia is among the highest in Europe."
Classic western famfare, when they run out of ideas, they resort to classic themes like homosexuality, religion, social rights. Thats the exact same tactic they follow about Russia and China. Their recent anti-chinese articles, regarding the recent earthquakes were disgusting.
"That became clear in 2001 when Serbia's gays and lesbians tried to hold the country's first "Gay Pride" event but ended up being beaten by extremists as the police looked on. So far, the Eurovision events have passed without major incidents."
Haha, it doesnt matter if a nation has killed 300,000 iraqis. No. What really matters is whether this nation honors and endorses homosexuality. Ofcourse that's the important issue here.
"Henrik Schmitz, 29, and Stefan Unger, 32, from Frankfurt, Germany, said the only trouble they have faced was a group of Serbian youths shouting insults."
In Germany, in 94, one German barwoman told me to "go away". I spoke to her in english. Hypocrites.
Well, Serbia might be europe and to want to be part of europe, and i believe that Serbia is part of it, but the west and europe must do their part, and for God's sake STOP BEING SUCH DIRTY HYPOCRITES.
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Post by zgembo on May 22, 2008 17:29:34 GMT -5
Eurovision soft diplomacy heals rifts and builds pride Thu May 22, 2008 5:27pm BST
By Ellie Tzortzi
BELGRADE (Reuters) - Some 100 million Europeans will tune in on Saturday for the annual giddy, big-hair-and-glitter Eurovision song contest that delights in stretching the limits of good taste, of what is music, and who is European.
Travelling from Iceland's Atlantic shores to Russia's Pacific coast, Turkey and Israel at Europe's southern fringes, most acts feature novelty costumes, outlandish arrangements and choreography, and nonsensical lyrics in a mishmash of languages.
"It's a cult thing," said sociologist Steve Aldred, who noted Eurovision brought people together for a big night in, much like the Super Bowl in the United States.
"The awfulness of it is part of the pleasure."
Merit aside, Eurovision commands a loyal following of fans who paid thousands to get to Belgrade, a city that was bombed by the West only nine years ago. The Serbian capital hosts the event's 53rd incarnation, the biggest so far with 43 countries.
The wacky good cheer is rubbing off: Belgraders talk odds and plan dining menus for the final, while hardened journalists wave flags and squeal like schoolgirls in news conferences. One gave the Latvian entrants some "lucky underwear" as a gift.
The artists also take it very seriously: a photo opportunity for Georgia's Diana Gurtskaya had her releasing doves from a cage, singing her "Peace Will Come" as she set the birds free.
"It takes a tremendous amount of courage to be an artist in this contest, honestly," said Poland's Isis Gee after qualifying to the final. "I feel like God is really watching over me."
Philip Bohlman, professor of Music at the University of Chicago, said individuals and nations are attracted to the aspects of national and nationalist expression in Eurovision.
"Sometimes national means sounding like folk music, at other times projecting something more political, even aesthetic, like Lordi's victory in 2006 for Finland, a country with an extremely sophisticated metal culture." Bohlman said.
"The massive television audience for the finale is probably the single event in which the largest number of Europeans gather to witness the complexities and differences in their common identity."
PRIDE AND PREDJUDICES
Music has always had close links to cultural identity and nationalism. When nation states started emerging in the 19th century, composers created national music by merging the folk heritage of their people into pan-European classical forms.
"In Eurovision this local flavour has now been sacrificed in favour of mass appeal, most songs are in English, you can't tell which country is which", said musicologist Paris Konstantinidis.
"It's not about music but about winning, like a football game, but as women are also interested the audience is double."
The link to national identity, however, is no less emotive. In Western Europe the event is treated firmly tongue in cheek but for smaller or newer European nations it's a national issue.
"Countries from the Eastern bloc are interested in the contest out of insecurity," Konstantinidis said, "they are unsure of their place in Europe and feel the need not only to take part but do well, be a force to be reckoned with.
Petar Popovic, Serbia's most famous music critic said that for a country with a troubled recent history like Serbia, Eurovision was a great chance to promote the nation's positive qualities: hospitality and a fun-loving spirit.
The country was an isolated pariah in the 1990s for its role in the Yugoslav wars. Nationalist autocrat Slobodan Milosevic fell in 2000 but Serbia still has a love-hate relationship with the West and a lingering reputation for defiant nationalism.
"Visitors will see us in a new light as friendly, nice people, something much in contrast to Serbia's image now," said Popovic. "This will help defuse our paranoia, show Serbs the rest of Europe is not against us, the world does not hate us."
Kruno Vidic, a journalist for Croatian state radio, said the event was helping repair Serbia's image even among neighbours it was at war with only 15 years ago.
"Pop culture is the best kind of diplomacy, light notes are something we all understand," Vidic said. "It's a bridge, helps people put aside the hard politics."
Between musings on the politics, choreography and singers' sex appeal, few pause on the artistic value of the songs.
"Maybe an anthropologist would say any expression is art, including Eurovision," Konstantinidis said. "It's subjective, but most songs don't stand the test of time. It's more a soundtrack written for the main attraction, the show."
(Editing by Paul Casciato)
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Post by zgembo on May 22, 2008 17:32:59 GMT -5
Second Semi-Final 22/May 2008 @ 23:00 by Glen Webb
Following Tuesday's First Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest, this evening the remaining ten places in Saturday's Final have been decided.
The representatives of nineteen countries have presented their songs tonight in the Second Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest. The theme of the show, presented by Jovana Janković and Željko Joksimović, The theme of the Second Semi-Final was "Water". During one particular break, a viedo clip showing Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic welcomed viewers to her home city of Belgrade. After all songs had been presented, televoting started in all the participating countries as well as in Serbia, France and the United Kingdom., who are already qualified for the Final, but were drawn to vote in the Second 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 this was after the Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday. The qualifiers
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
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Post by albaniansoul on May 23, 2008 4:01:18 GMT -5
Final Ten Countries Are Chosen - Albania Booed into the Eurovision Final THE second semi-final in Belgrade saw a few surprises but one of the biggest cheers of the night was reserved for Albania's Olta Boka. Earlier Boka had been roundly booed and given the thumbs down by Serbians and by some of the large contingent of 'volunteers' employed at the Sava Press Centre. Outraged members of the audience retaliated by standing up to cheer and applaud her rendition of Zemren E Lame Peng At the press conference following the event she was asked about her reception, which was described by the questioner as "not very friendly". She replied: "(In the final) We will try our best." The reaction is bound to be a major international embarassment to the the European Broadcasting Union and to the Serb television service RTS who were unavailable for comment late last night.. Viewers from the 19 participating countries in the second semi, as well as viewers in Serbia, France and the United Kingdom, determined the results by tele-voting. Other shock qualifiers were Croatia, Denmark and Georgia. The full list of qualifiers for Saturday's final, with position they are drawn are listed below:: Ukraine (18) Croatia (9) Albania (3) Iceland (11) Georgia (17) Denmark (16) Sweden (15) Latvia (14) Turkey (12) Portugal (13) ends Posted by Peter Devine on May 22, 2008 10:42 PM | Permalink Albanian Olta Boka booed by the Serbian Audience blogs.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/eurovision/2008/05/final_ten_countries_are_chosen.html--------- Comments on this by the Serbs on these forums?
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Kralj Vatra
Amicus
Warning: Sometimes uses foul language & insults!!!
20%
Posts: 9,814
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Post by Kralj Vatra on May 23, 2008 4:11:05 GMT -5
Your song was crap. that was the problem.
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Post by albaniansoul on May 23, 2008 4:51:35 GMT -5
Thats the reason to why it got to the finals? Thats your personal opinion.
Off you go!
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Post by montenegrodeki on May 23, 2008 4:58:27 GMT -5
She looks a little cross eyed.
Maybe they were cheering booka booka and she misheard it for Boos!
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Post by albaniansoul on May 23, 2008 6:44:41 GMT -5
Did Montenegro get to the finals?
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Post by julius on May 23, 2008 6:53:31 GMT -5
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Post by montenegrodeki on May 23, 2008 7:50:06 GMT -5
Did Montenegro get to the finals? Dunno and i couldn't give a toss!
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Mimi
Amicus
Kosovo IS Albania!
Posts: 463
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Post by Mimi on May 23, 2008 11:27:53 GMT -5
SHAME ON YOU SERBS!!, i guess they could not handle that she sang in albanian in the middle of belgrad ;D and got herself to the final wooho way to go bolta, you were great i am proud of you and of course i voted for you
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Post by Kassandros on May 23, 2008 14:25:01 GMT -5
The trouth is that since she wasnt provoking and she's only 16 year old artist.. I think .. Serbs overeacted a little bit. Afterall... Serbs are not savagges like Greeks who attack to innocent truck drivers.. . Its about hospitality after all.. right?
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Post by Ja Ona i Pivo on May 23, 2008 15:41:47 GMT -5
Isnt serbias song stolen from albania? haha
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Post by zgembo on May 23, 2008 17:56:13 GMT -5
Did Montenegro get to the finals? No, it didn't. Other countries who did not qualify are Andorra, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Macedonia, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, San Marino, Slovenia and Switzerland. 25 countries are in the finals, 18 have been eliminated. The finals are tomorrow 9pm Belgrade Time, 3pm New York time.
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