The Chief of Entertainment section of German broadcaster NDR-ARD visited Tallinn as a member of EBU reference group and was very pleased with the preparations so far.

“The concept of Eurovision 2002 is wonderful. Even unique”, he said. “I like that the whole concept is following one idea and that all the elements fit together perfectly.”

Meier-Beer also said, that he saw the stage design, but he couldn't tell us any more about that.

The most important problem for him is that Germans don't know much about Estonia. Some of them still believe that Estonia is a part of the Soviet Union, some have doubts if it's even a civilized country.

He was convinced that many of the Germans will watch Eurovision 2002 not for the songs, but because they are curious: what is Estonia ? That's the reason why NDR-ARD is producing a serie of documentaries at this moment.

Meier-Beer will return to Tallinn in March 2002. There will be a conference for representatives from all the 24 participating countries at that time.