Notes from the Press Centre... Day Two

Not for nothing is the Eurovision fan experience frequently referred to as ‘the bubble’. Eight hours deep into a press day, concepts like time, space and a reality that doesn’t involve costume changes and dance routines can very quickly lose all meaning.

For the sake of my own sanity, I decide to start my second day with some real-world activity, in the form of a sightseeing cruise along the Danube. The sightseeing element proves to have been somewhat over-sold, consisting primarily of apartment blocks, motorways and graffiti punctuated by the occasional tree. The breakfast is delicious though, and a few hours of natural light charges me up for another long afternoon of press conferences…

Serbia’s Bojana Stamenov leads the press in an enthusiastic sing-along
Photo: Derek Sillerud

The day kicks off with Serbia’s Bojana Stamenov, a delightful young woman whose infectious personality pervades the room from the moment she arrives. Competitors with a strong grasp of English are inevitably a lot more comfortable in a Q&A scenario, and she delivers astute, thoughtful answers to the assembled journalists in between leading a sing-along of the Serbian-language version of her song and showcasing her Sound Of Music-inspired yodelling skills.

The next two artists to meet the press are far less fluent, and it results in a pair of fairly stilted interviews. Boggie from Hungary has a very serious anti-war song and appears to take herself and her message very seriously indeed – although it may be that her lack of English confidence is stifling her ability to be spontaneous. A journalist who asks her to talk about the controversy surrounding an Israeli ambassador protesting certain messages in her national final performance is met with a particularly curt response, and some loud harrumphing from a member of the Hungarian delegation signals in no uncertain terms that the subject matter is closed.

Uzari and Maimuna from Belarus field press questions (with a little help from an interpreter)
Photo: Derek Sillerud

The Belarussian couple bring an interpreter onstage for support – although violinist Maimuna appears fairly relaxed and handles the majority of the interview. A couple of slightly baffling non-sequiturs suggest that some of the questions are lost in translation – particularly when a question about onstage jewellery is met with a rambling, apparently unconnected story about meeting a fan who has been suffering from cancer. Singer Uzari’s contributions are restricted to looking faintly puzzled and saying the word ‘great’ a lot.

There’s a noticeable shift in atmosphere for the Russian press conference. First of all, it’s a lot busier, with camera crews spilling out of the seating areas and into the aisles. There’s also a sense of very careful stage management, with Polina relying almost entirely on her interpreter despite appearing to have a fairly solid grasp of the English language. All of this is entirely understandable, as more than any other performer this year, the answers she gives are likely to be subject to microscopic scrutiny. However, the fans give her an easy ride and the spectre of Russia’s current international reputation – and the hostile reception her predecessors were subject to last year – remains a silent presence in the room for now.

The Russian press conference is a tightly controlled environment, but singer Polina charms the crowd.
Photo: Derek Sillerud

Just when things were in danger of getting a bit too heavy, the reliably good-natured Danes arrive to lighten the mood. Anti-Social Media are a teenage band who formed just a month before winning their national final, and they have an easy-going, knockabout chemistry that makes for an breezy, drama-free Q&A that contrasts very positively with what came before. The song is one of my least favourites this year, but it’s difficult not to warm to the group, who really seem to be having fun with the experience.

Albania’s Elhaida Dani’s showbiz experience shines though in a composed, professional interview.
Photo: Derek Sillerud

Albania’s Elhaida Dani is a reality show veteran with international pedigree, and her experience keep things moving along smoothly. She’s relaxed and jokey with the hostess, garnering big laughs when a slip of the tongue finds her accidentally outing herself as a remarkably well-preserved 62-year old. She seems slightly defensive when the same journalist who was given short shrift in the Hungarian press conference – presumably fancying himself as a sort of Eurovision Jeremy Paxman – asks if her celebrity status was a bigger factor than the quality of her song whens he won the Albanian national final, but she maintains her composure and delivers a polite, diplomatic response.

Romanian band Voltaj are a big draw in their home country, as evidenced by a handful of excitable Romanian journalists who briefly threaten to hijack proceedings. The group leave much of the talking to lead singer Călin Goia, who seems more interested in promoting the charitable foundation that inspired their song than Eurovision itself.

Georgia’s Nina Sublatti was one of the most popular contestants of the day.
Photo: Derek Sillerud

The last rehearsal of the day also generated one of the biggest responses in the press centre, and there’s a palpable air of confidence when Georgia’s Nina Sublatti enters the room. She’s another artist who’s very comfortable with spoken English, and she effortlessly charms the room during a discussion that ranges from makeup tips to recommendations for local Georgian delicacies. It’s a nice point to end on as we stagger blearily out of the venue for another day.

Tomorrow – the first half of Semi Final Two, featuring Balkan balladry, Nordic melodrama and another instant classic from Ralph Siegel’s San Marino hit factory. Let the joy be unconfined…