День третий. Day three.

Birgitta (Iceland) chat

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Birgitta (Iceland) press-conference

Like at the first press conference, Birgitta demonstrated her love for flowers – she had them on her clothes and hair and she is going to have them also during the performance on the 24^th.  Birgitta told the best contact she has made so far is Irish performer Mickey Harte – Monday night they had been improvising together, singing different music, including U2. Birgitta admitted that journalists haven’t seen it all yet, and there are going to be some surprises at the Eurovision night. She also noted that she would rather use live music during her performance, as it is more powerful.
When asked about the national final in Iceland, Birgittta replied that in Iceland things are even more difficult that in other countries. She said that at the national final she sang the song in Icelandic. They decided to sing the English version of the song at the ESC, as they wanted people to understand the meaning of the song. The composer of the song added that the most important was to make it reach all the people.
When asked about the content of the song “Open Your Heart”, Birgitta emphasized that it encourages people express their emotions and to be loving towards those who are close to you. When asked by the Spanish journalist if this song was about the relationship between a man and a woman, Birgitta replied that the main theme of the song is expressing one’s feelings towards those who are close, which includes the family, parents and friends.
The moderator of the press conference asked Birgitta to name three reasons to vote for her song. Birgitta’s reply was short: “I am not going to do that. Everyone has to vote according to how they feel.” This reply was received with cheers. 

Alf Poier (Austria) press-conference

Just like in the first conference, Alf Poier had taken care about show.  Seeing Alf wearing his seven hats and carrying a parcel, the journalists exerted themselves in expectation. It was quite obvious that show would be on.
In the beginning Alf showed his gift to all people of Europe  - a white body of a chicken with a skull. A little bit later he took off his hats and started to imitate the process of driving in staples in his head. “ Oh, oh, it hurts so much! The truth always makes pain,” Alf commented on his activities.
The high – light of the show followed after Alf Poir’s question: “ Would you be interested in a performance with energy?” He informed all people who had gathered in the hall that it couldn”t be performed inside, then Alf grabbed his parcel and dashed out of the hall. And of course, all journalists followed him.
Outside the hall he took out 10 eggs from his parcel and arranged them in a row on the ground, then he invited all people around to concentrate their energy in order to run over the eggs without crashing them. When after this run only two eggs were left unbroken, the fascinating Austrian apologized by saying: “ There is something wrong with energy today. I beg my pardon.” Finally he put on his chicken mask and ran away.
During the press conference  a journalist Chris Melville from Great Britain asked Alf in what way he is going to express his credo to make other people to get his message.” They don’t need to understand it. If they don’t comprehend it, it will mean that they have already understood it, there is only one point – they are not aware of it themselves,” replied the Austrian.
“ The main point is the contents of my message. And my message to Europe is honest, it comes from the bottom of my heart,” said Alf Poier.
The moderator of the press conference was interested what had been the highest price offered to Alf for his hats. “ Nothing has been offered to me so far, but there still is some time left by Sunday,” ne replied.

Mickey Harte (Ireland) press-conference

The head of delegation Kevin Linehan told that they have many stars in the band this year – Mickey Harte, who is about to release his new album next month, the composer Martin Brannigan, the musical director Phil Coulter whose songs have been performed in Eurovision, as well as by such singers as Cliff Richard and Elvis Presley.
“Ireland has a great experience both as a participant and an organizer and we know that it pays off to invest a lot of efforts and resources. This time we have invested a lot,” said Kevin Linehan.
When Phil Coulter was asked if in 1967, when his song won the ESC, he could ever imagine Eurovision in 2003, he replied that there had always been many who criticized the contest and several times even prepared for its burial. ”Yet, this contest, like many other ones grow and progress, with new countries, new performers and new songs participating in it. If compare Eurovision in 2003 and what it used to be 30 or 40 years ago, Phil Coulter admits that there are things that change and get more and more sophisticated, such as techniques, sound, lights, equipment.  Still, there are things that stay the same – excitement before the contest, emotional experience and backstage life.
“We are proud of our song and will try to reach best results on Saturday, “ Phil said in conclusion.

Sertab Erener (Turkey) press-conference

The journalists from Great Britain were interested how the idea came up to make a video clip for the song “ Everyway that I can” that sings Turkish singer. The Choreographer Candas Bas gave completely exhaustive explanation to this question: “ The basic idea I got from the harem – competition among women for one man – the Sultan. There will be performed the dance with fabrics on the stage. We have been rehearsing this dance only for a week, but the dancers are excellent and we do hope that we will succeed.”
“ With the help of this video clip we are showing how has changed standing status of a woman in Turkey. Recently there was held a Referendum in Turkey and now women have rights to take part in it,” said the Choreographer Candas Bas. The predominating theme in Sertab Erener’s songs is woman’s emotions, feelings, rights, but the singer recommends to listeners to perceive her song “ Everyway that I can “ as a woman’s attempt to seduce a man, not simply as a history.
The singer Sertab Erener told the journalists that Turkish people usually sing in Turkish, but as this year’s song is performed in English at the Eurovision Song Contest, there have been several critical articles published in Turkish mass media. At present all this fuss has calmed down. “ The song has its version also in Turkish, or more precisely. –  Turkish – English,” explains Sertab Erener, and in order to persuade the journalists about it, she sang the song “ Everyway that I can”  in her native language.

Lynn (Malta) chat

Lynn (Malta) press-conference

Charlo Bonnici is of the opinion that this year’s ESC is very well organised, and all of their requests have been carried out. Thus the delegation can concentrate on the most important – the final concert. The head of delegation assured of Malta’s readiness to organize the next year’s ESC in Malta, the city of Valetta.
Lynn admitted she is an optimist and the song “To Dream Again” makes her even more optimistic. She asserted that 98% of Malta’s population always watch Eurovision, and the opportunity to host it would be received with a great enthusiasm by the whole country.
Malta proved itself to be a singing delegation, as the song “To Dream Again” was sung at the press conference not only by the performers, but also by the composer Alfred Zammit himself. 

Mia Martina (Bosnia) press-conference

At Bosnia – Herzegovina’s second press conference Mia Martina told that their performance is getting better and better. Like two days ago, Mia emphasized: “We are here to show the best we can. We are ready to win.”
Mia Martina admits that Saturday night will be the most exciting and significant event in her life. When asked, how many times she has performed her song and if she is going to continue performing it after the contest, the young singer answered: “It seems to me that I have performed it millions of times. Nevertheless, I am going to sing it after the contest as well. Why not?”
“Have you met performers from the other countries and have you made friends?” Mia was asked. “Yes, of course, “ she answered. “It is one of the reasons I am here. I have made friends with the Portuguese performer and have a great time with other singers as well,” Mia told.

Rita Guerra (Portugal) сhat

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Rita Guerra (Portugal) press-conference

Rita has also got acquainted with other delegations. She can find some common trend with the France performer – the author of both singers costumes is a Portuguese designer   who is  very popular in France, too. To the question if the costumes could be similar, Rita answered negatively.
The singer depicting her feelings, remarked, that she always perceives things calmly and naturally. She relies on herself, on things what she does, and always lets everything go naturally, as it was meant. The singer expressed her gratitude for the support that people give her, and that there are more people at this press conference than before.