After several years of 'will they, won't they', it appears that Azerbaijan has finally begun the selection process to choose the country�s first Eurovision Song Contest entry. Azeri press reports that the first round of the process took place earlier today at the Rashid Behbudov Sate Song Theatre, with 13 of almost 40 acts performing to a specialist jury. One of these entries will go on to become the country's first Eurovision Song Contest entry in 2008.
The selection process was judged by the Heydar Aliyec Foundation, Culture and Tourism Ministry and Youth and Sport Ministry. The jury is made up of Youth and Sport Minister Azad Rahimov, professor Nargiz Pashayeva, director of Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, Akif Malikov, music composers Vagif Garayzada and Faig Sujaddinov, and finally the music artist Tarana Muradova.
Almost 40 singers are to partipate in the process including pop group Rast, Roya, Samir Bagirov, Irada Ibrahimova, Ilhama Gasimova, Ayaz Gasimov, Samira, Nurlan Novrasli, Khayyam, Elton Huseynaliyev and Elnara.
No details are yet available about whether the final selection will be internal or a national final will be used to determine the final round of the selection.
Stay tuned to esctoday.com for more information
