Azerbaijan qualifies for Eurovision Grand Final

/By Azernews/

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan`s Samra Rahimli has booked a spot in the Grand Final of Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm.

Eighteen songs participated in the first Semi-final in order to qualify for the 10 places available in Saturday's final.

Samra performed her song Miracle, 14th in the first Semi-Final.

"I will understand it tomorrow maybe. I am just so happy. Thanks to every person who voted for me - I want you to be even happier than me", Samra first stated.

Did Samra feel pressure because all previous Azerbaijani representatives have qualified for the Final? "I am so happy to represent my country, I am so proud to be here - I couldn't be happier. I don't feel pressure. I feel the support of the people from my country and all over the world - you did this Miracle for me tonight!"

The stage design was based on the work “Alice in the country of miracles”, but with a modern and futuristic approach to the novel. The act featured several combined pyro effects, including stars and a waterfall pyro.

Samra's performance was accompanied by four dancers, who practiced their choreography just behind the singer.

The major color for the Azerbaijani entry was golden. Samra wore a costume in golden and silver colors.

The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm is going to be the biggest contest for years with 43 participants, equaling the record set in both 2008 and 2011.

Globen Arena, the venue for international song contest is the largest hemispherical building in the world. Its capacity is 16,000 seated spectators for shows and concerts.

Azerbaijan debuted at the Eurovision contest in 2008 and has always presented remarkable shows since then. On its fourth attempt with Ell and Nikki's Running Scared song, the Land of Fire won the event, bringing the contest to Baku’s Crystal Hall in 2012.

Last year Azerbaijani representative Elnur Huseynov, who competed for the second time at the contest after his debut in 2008, placed 12 with his mystical ballad “Hour of the Wolf”.