Eldar & Nigar is the most romantic duo from the Land of Fire. In 2011,they’ve represented their home country Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf. A breathtaking ballad Running Scared and sincere and beautiful performance have secured a brilliant victory from record 43 countries competing this year.
They’ve dreamed to perform on the main European stage since childhood and now they enjoy living their dream for real!
Every day is a new beginning, new challenge and new winning! They are young and restless, they are singing their hearts out and strive for more adventures.
Nigar Jamal was born in Baku in 1980. She began to sing at the age of 5 in a children’s band. Then there was a music school in piano class. At the age of 16, she was recognized in the popular Azerbaijani vocal competition «Pohr?». Despite success, Nigar did not venture to make music her profession. Instead, she went for economics and management studies at the Baku Khazar University.
The dream to represent Azerbaijan in Eurovision has been following Nigar since 2000 – when Russian singer Alsu, extremely popular in Azerbaijan, took 2nd place in the Grand Final. That gave Nigar hope that one day her performance at Eurovision may become true. However, it was a long shot – Azerbaijan debuted in ESC only in 2008. By that time Nigar has met her future husband Luke and moved to London. She dedicated herself to family and to raising her beloved daughters – Jasmin and Saida.
Last autumn, Nigar has revived her cherished dream. She returned to Baku and challenged herself to take part in the National Eurovision selection. Nigar won and was announced one of two representatives from Azerbaijan in the ESC 2011.
Eldar Gasimov was born in Baku in 1989. Since childhood, Eldar repeatedly took part in national and international vocal competitions. He has graduated from the music school in piano class with distinctions. Twice – in 2004 and 2008 – Eldar won a scholarship to study in Germany as an exchange student. In Germany, besides regular curriculum, he studied vocals and acting.
In 2010 Eldar has graduated from the Baku Slavic University with a degree in international relations. He currently continues his studies AT the master’s program. Just like Nikki, Eldar has been dreaming to perform on the Eurovision stage since 2000. He has been passionately following the Contest.
Last autumn, Eldar has decided to test fortune in the National Eurovision selection. He was one of 77 contenders to represent Azerbaijan in Eurovision 2011. After preliminary castings and 7 pre-selection shows, Eldar has become one of the two winners and part of the duo Eldar & Nigar.
I love Eurovision this year in Düsseldorf Arena in Germany!It was Fantastik!
My favourite songs are :
SwedenEric Saade "Popular" 3 place
United Kingdom Blue "I Can" 11 place
Germany Lena Meyer-Landrut "Taken By a Stranger" 10 place
Ireland Jedward "Lipstick" 8 place
Estonia Getter Jaani "Rockefeller Street" 24 place
Denmark A Friend in London "New Tomorrow" 5 place
AzerbaijanEll & Nikki"Running Scared" 1 place
GeorgiaEldrine "One More Day" 9 place
SloveniaMaja Keuc "No One" 13 place
Russia Alex Sparrow "Get You" 16 place
Ukraine Mika Newton "Angel" 4 place
Düsseldorf
There were four cities, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Hannover, competing to host the Contest in Germany. Over the summer, each one of the cities did their best and put the strongest efforts to offer the best available conditions to the host broadcaster NDR and the European Broadcasting Union. Just like in the Contest, only one could be the winner. After the long process of evaluation visits to each of these cities, Düsseldorf was selected as the Host City in 2011.
NDR's Director General Lutz Marmor said: "Düsseldorf twelve points - North Rhine-Westphalia's capital city provides the best conditions for the Eurovision Song Contest. I congratulate Düsseldorf cordially - and just as cordially I thank the other three cities for going into the race enthusiastically with attractive concepts".
Düsseldorf arena can host more than 24,000 viewers for each Semi-Finals, the Grand Final and the Dress Rehearsals as well.
According to the production team, the conditions provided for a television production with more than 40 participating countries are just "excellent". The arena has perfect acoustics and provides enough space behind the scenes. The neighboring athletic sports arena will serve as a working space for the journalists.
Düsseldorf is located on the east bank of the river Rhine. It is famous for its fashion industry, art academy, museums and the largest digital clock in the world. The city is often considered a beer city with what they call “the longest bar in the world”. A very unique aspect is the side by side location of 250 pubs and restaurants.
Fortuna Düsseldorf Arena
The full name of this red and white arena is Düsseldorfer Turn und Sportverein Fortuna. The arena was founded in 1895, it’s n The upcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2011 will be held at Fortuna Düsseldorf's arena. The arena can host maximum 54,400 people. However, as a large stage space and different technical facilities are required for the Contest, the number of people attending the Semi Finals, the Final and the Dress Rehearsals will be less, approximately 24,000.
Known also as Esprit arena, is multifunctional football stadium having the capacity of 54, 400 people, has a closable roof and a special heating system, which allows to make the stadium comfortable and warm for organizing events even in the coldest winters.
The building process of the new stadium lasted from 2002 to 2004. The primal seating capacity was supposed to be 51,500, but after the expansion in the summer of 2010 areas were turned into standing terraces. It hosts association football team Fortuna Düsseldorf.
One of the concerts that was held in this arena was the dance music event called Sensation on the New Year's Eve in 2008. 15,000 spectators were there to watch the concert. The list of artists having performed at the stadium include Bon Jovi, Phil Collins, Depeche Mode, The Rolling Stones and others.
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