Italy a bit closer....

Italy seems to be closer returning to the Eurovision than it has never been since 1997 when they participated the first time, claims OGAE Italia. They have been bombarding RAI with letters, requests and newspapers all these years but now it looks like they have found a friend inside RAI, signora Nicoletta Iacobacci who is doing all she can to convince her bosses. A lot has changed since their last participation and most importantly now ESC does have two slots for advertising inside the 3 hour show. Also apparently EBU, who seems to be very willing to have Italy back, has promised Italy a place in BIG5 along with France, Germany, Spain and UK and therefor automatical place in the final. So it seems there is hope we will see Italy in Helsinki 2007. If Italy returns it will be interesting to see how EBU deals with the increasing number of countries as they have set the maximum to 40. Now that Austria has already confirmed they will return, Czech Republic and Georgia want to debut, Serbia AND Montenegro should be squeezed in... then there propably Hungary returning... Armienia must be happy they secured their place in the final so they can't be dropped out!
If and when Italy returns the question how to choose the song and/or the artist remains. Traditionally it has been linked to Sanremo Festival but not always. However times have changed, so has Eurovision when Sanremo hasn't. Personally I think Italy - if and when it returns - should choose internally someone up and coming or already more or less internationally known name like Giorgia, Elisa or Tiziano Ferro. (Besides, Giorgia and Elisa should have been there already and with songs that were top-3 material for sure!)

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ESC 2016 WISH LIST: MARGARET FOR POLAND

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ESC 2016 BELARUS: NAKED WITH WOLVES?

Today's funniest Eurovision related story comes from Belarus. Some sources claim Ivan wants to perform on stage naked and with live wolf or wolves. It surely would be a first on Eurovision stage! We have seen some forgotten underwear over the years, and some cardbox animals though..... Is it time to take things a bit further? No, according the rules live animals are not allowed, and Eurovision being a family show nudity won't do either. (It seems to be ok to be half naked if you are a dancer though..... )

GOODBYE, FAREWELL...

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No more leave me alones as Eurovision 2007 veteran Hanna Pakarinen has published in her Youtube channel a video unboxing the Finnish state's maternity box aka layette set thus announcing she's due to have a baby later this spring. Congratulations!

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This is one of the songs that make me think of sweaty summer nights, humid air and being slightly drunk... I wonder where that all comes from? Anyways. Kylie Minogue recorded On a night like this, maybe not first but better than Pandora or Anna Vissi . And Lord which is actually great!

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Eurovision song contest 2005 winner Helena Paparizou has been enjoying Top-5 hits every year since 2003 with the exception of 2010 and 2014, this latest one being already her 27th! And Haide is charting also in Bulgaria and Finland, of all places. The catchiness of her hits has changed less over the years than her face.... Here's the English version , below the Greek version.

Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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