Last Sunday in Paris, the OGAE France held its preview meeting with a new formula : entrance was free, hence a big number of people attended; around 120 persons, including a good number of newcomers, who will hopefully join the club. Fans from abroad (Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, Israel…) also participated.

During the OGAE France meeting, people voted on the semi-finalists in the morning and the afternoon was dedicated to the grandfinal. Results have already been published by esctoday on Sunday evening. As usual, the organisers invited a former French-speaking entrant. Sandrine François (France 2002) received a big round of applause when entering the hall. The singer – now aged 28 – appeared as very friendly. “I didn’t regret the experience at all, she said, I like it very much. This is the biggest song contest in the world. I was willing to do it already as a teenager”. Still, she declared that she had to assume a very heavy pressure from her record company. “I think I was considered as a product, nothing more”she says. “If I had to do it again, I’d get rid of many people around me. But I was much younger”. Would she do it again, the fans asked her. “Yes, but with a better song”.

Talking about other 2002 contestants, Sandrine said that she didn’t really fear anybody as she concentrated on her own performance. “I was aware of the fact that I was among the favorites. I was awarded the prize of the international press and that is a good thing”. About what she’s presently doing, Sandrine François told fans that she had no personal projects in store but that she is still in the singing business. She spoke about her participation in Céline Dion’s latest two French-speaking albums as a background singer. “I travelled a lot and this is an extraordinary experience to work with such people”.

Sandrine then gave a superb acoustic version of Il faut du temps, together with a fellow-guitarist. Flowers were offered to the lady by French president Mathieu Kroon, who also told Sandrine that she is now a member of honour of the OGAE France.Bruno Berberes, French head of delegation since 2002 (the year Sandrine took part), also attended the meeting. A special report will be made on esctoday, later this week, on what was said about Patricia Kaas’ preparation.

For the first time, TV reporters came to make interviews during the meeting. This will be part of the 20-minute special program entitled En route pour l’Eurovision to be broadcast on France 3, on May 16, from 8.40 PM to 9 PM (CET).On that same Sunday, OGAE France celebrated the 77th anniversary of its older member, Alicia Gutiérrez : Mathieu’s grandma, who never missed a single meeting.Two days before, on Friday evening, French fans gathered in Parisian disco Le Tango, which make it possible for all to dance on Eurovision classics nearly all night long.

More pictures on OGAE France’s fellow website bonsoirparis.