During the press conference this morning, Hind took some time to talk to esctoday.com. Surprisingly enough, she told us that she was aware that esctoday.com is the biggest Eurovision site in the world and was pleased that we were there for her big day! It turned out to become a very pleasant conversation with the joyful Dutch representative for Belgrade.

Hind, first of all congratulations! Did you have to think long before you accepted the invitation of NOS?

No, not at all! To be honest, it was quite an easy decision. I didn't see any reasons why I shouldn't say yes. I think it's a big honour to represent my country and I'm really looking forward to it.

Would you also have accepted the invitation if there would have been a national final with several competitors?

No, I don't think so. As you probably know I took part in 'Idols 1'. That was fun to do, but I didn't really like the competative aspect of it.So I'm not in for another competition like that. Besides that, I'm way too busy. I'm recording my new album and I'm preparing a new tour. This offer of NOSwill makeit much easier for me to combine all the things I'm doing.

Do you normally watch The Eurovision Song Contest?

Oh yes! I've been watching it since I was a child! I really loved the contest. Too bad I couldn't watch it last year though. I only saw Edsilia's performance last year, and I think she did a great job! You know what? In 2001, when I was only 16 years old,I already submitted a song to NOS butI wasn'tselected. In 2003 Isent a songagain, but Itook part at Idols that year as well. Unfortunately, Idols and the national selection for The Eurovision Songcontest overlapped. I guess you can say: three times does the trick!

What do you think of the fact that there will be 2 semi finals next year?

I'm very happy about it. This was probably one of the most important reasons for me to accept the invitation. I think this new system gives a fair chance to every country to qualify. I understood the election of thecountries for both semi finals will take place arbitrary, which seems fair to me as well. You can be sure I will do everything I can to make it to the final!

What do you expect fromparticipationin The Eurovision Song Contest?

Well, when I was asked by NOS to represent The Netherlands in Belgrade, I called Edsilia Rombley right away! Edsilia is a very good friend of mine, and she told me to expect a big media circus. She really loved it, and enjoyed every minute of it, although she didn't qualify for the final. Of course, I know it will be a very busy time, but I'm ready for it. Of course we'll have to pick a good song first. I'm happy with the fact that I can choose the song for Belgrade myself. Everybody is welcome to write a song. I will start writing for Belgrade myself soon as well, together with Tjeerd van Zanen. (Songwiter of the Dutch entries in 1999 and 2003). It goes without saying that I will choose the most suitable song for me. You can be sure I'll give every song a fair chance!