Disputes over the depiction of Nagorno-Karabakh during the Eurovision Song Contest are nothing new.
And while tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia took a backseat, it has erupted again in the days after the Grand Final.
That’s because Ictimai Television (ITV), Azerbaijan’s national broadcaster, has made a formal complaint to the EBU after a graphic of the country shown during the voting sequence failed to include the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
It states that the graphics displayed in the voting sequence did not reflect what Azerbaijan sees as its borders, most notably that the entire Nakhchivan exclave was nowhere to be seen, as well as the Armenian map allegedly showing a larger southern area, most known as the area of Nagorno-Karabakh, the main area of conflict between the two nations.
Great disrespect by the organisation team to the map of #Azerbaijan by not showing Nakchivan as a part of the country. Instead it is included to the Armenian territory. Usually this kind of mistake was expected to be in Karabakh region, however this is new. #Eurovision
— Turan Gafarli (@ATuranQ) May 18, 2019
The statement sent reads as follows:
“During the performance of Azerbaijan’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, it was revealed that Karabakh and Nakhchivan were not marked on the map of the country. In this regard, the Public Television and Radio Company immediately turned with protest to the organizers of the competition and the leadership of the European Broadcasting Union. Currently, an explanation from the opposite side is expected,”
Here you go. pic.twitter.com/0xLIPdcRb1
— Turan Gafarli (@ATuranQ) May 18, 2019
Chingiz calls Dutch staging “weak” and says Azerbaijan’s result was an “injustice”
Speaking to Azerbaijani outlet Oxu.az, Chingiz has made clear his feelings about the country’s result in the 2019 contest:
“We should not have taken seventh place. Compatriots living in Europe voted for me enough. I think that at the contest the votes were incorrectly counted.”
He also revealed he’s not a fan of the staging for Duncan Laurence’s winning song “Arcade”:
“The song was good, but the staging was weak. I think our performance was better.”
He felt his performance achieved an “adequate” result for Azerbaijan, but evidently hoped for more.
Is there a vendetta against Chingiz & Azerbaijan this year from wiwibloggs? It could be a bad case of translation of the interview. And it could be very well a badly written/worded interview. Or it could be also be a case of poor choice of words by Chingiz. Why crucify him and his country just because of an interview?
And also, Azerbaijan takes pride of the contest and puts in the efforts in Eurovision, so of course they will like to win it back especially their non-qualification last year. I personally think Azerbaijan’s entry deserves a top 5 or even top 3. They got a competent singer with a staging that complements the meaning of the song. It’s a very well-produced entry overall.
Plus, you lot labelled “Truth” a generic track, but let’s admit it, most of the top 10 entries are not exactly ground-breaking tracks with the exception of Italy (which is contemporary and fresh for ESC standards), Iceland + Australia (which are just way too divisive). One can very well say Duncan’s song is a Coldplay album reject or Sweden’s entry is just a 90s R&B pop track. So let’s not get double-standard here.
Did you even bother to read the comments and why people are upset with him? It is because he thinks he deserves more because “compatriots” from all over Europe have voted for him. And it is because of his gay baiting and how he reacts to that now after the contest.
Apart from that, fans haven’t forgotten the stunts the Azerbaijani delegations and officials did in 2013.
I did read. And as I’ve said in my first post. It could be very well been a poorly translated/written interview and poor choice of words usage by Chingiz. In addition, the interview was conducted in Azeri (?) I supposed. Has anyone with that language capability confirmed what Wiwibloggs has reported is true?
And also what happened previously about the vote rigging is in the past, it is not fair to keep “persecuting” Azerbaijan going forward. People need to move on.
Kinda like how Chingiz needs to move on because whining about losing just makes him look immature. : )
Nice song but the staging was over the top… As usual for Azerbaijan. Sometimes less is more. Those robotic arms were cheap and pointless. They should feel proud hitting the top ten without bribing people to vote for them. Netherlands won and rightly deserved.
its not a stage contest honey….
By the way those robots…just no! I was scared with them!
Wiwibloggs cenosring comments once again. Why were three of my comments not shown?
Dear Chingiz, it ain’t about the staging. It’s a Song Contest, not a Staging Contest. Even with your “great” staging, you were still unable to elevate your song. It was plain boring. So bye Chingiz.
Jurij after potential error in Italian televote: I did everything I could, but it happened as it happened. Those who were in the finals were worthy of it, and I don’t see the point of unnecessarily hitting or depriving them of their place in the table.
Chingiz after placing in the Top 10: We should have been higher. Something must be up with the votes. Our performance was better than the winner’s.
Get out.
Sore loser. Azeri staging was actually over busy and overkill. Netherlands had a minimalist purity about it.
They should be proud they got a legitimate top 10, one where they didn’t have to buy the jurors.
Urgh! Another bad loser like Robin Bengtsson.
And Alex F. from Romania
Yes!
What? Sobrals statement was total idiotic so no
Uhm Sobral pretty much summed up what all of Europe thinks about Eurovision. Luckily since then the quality of entries has improved and there is less and less trash out there. Music is feelings, not fireworks. Period.
Duncan’s song and staging are only boring to small children who need flashy things on screen all the time to keep their attention. Actual adults can appreciate a minimalistic staging.
„Compatriots living in Europe voted for me enough.“ – this says everything about how they aim to win the contest… and with some help of *allegedly* bought votes… just look at the many coincidences between azerbaijan, san marino, belarus and malta each year…
Well next year we’ll have a very uncomfortable question for all participants: are gays normal or non-normal? ?
LONG LIVE AZERBAYCAN!!! THE BEST SUPER
You’re right Chingiz you shouldn’t have ended up 7th…. especially after being quite a sore loser about it. For me personally I hated Azerbaijan’s staging, it was effective when it was the robots were being used but after it was just…there. Pretty weak staging for me. I’m not gonna lie I also thought the Netherlands staging wasn’t very strong but I think in their case it worked and were a worthy winner. I don’t understand why some Eurovision artists come out after the show to complain (especially when they reach the top 10) and immediately have attack those who did… Read more »
Can Chingiz just live up to the lyrics of his song.
Also, Arcade has a great staging and it deserves to win.
I said it in my long analysis of the competition, and I’ll say it again: He would have gotten more points if his stage director had dumped those robots and lasers and brought his music video to the stage; namely, 2 of those dancers (especially the one in red), the girl in gold, and Granny bopping to the beat of his song. Even at the top of the scoreboard, a poorly-planned stage setup can cost you points or even the title. Duncan’s “less-is-more” approach was on target. The blue clouds and aurorae fit the mood of the song perfectly. That… Read more »
I don’t agree with Chingiz, in my opinion he is completely wrong. But we all have our own opinion, someone likes Portugal (for example), someone does not. Why can’t he have his own opinion?
He cannot have his opinion because his views contradict what majority of people think here. That is why he must be insulted, his country must be insulted, fans from his country must be undermined . You will be insulted to have an opinion. I think Europe roar about to endure opinions it doesn’t matter they are right or wrong? In reality…
People are angry at him because he said he deserved a better result because “compatriots” from all over Europe were voting for him and that the votes were incorrectly counted.
And they are angry at him because all he did was gay baiting for the last couple of months and he now blames his PR manager who apparently forced him to do these semi nude photo shoots. And people are angry because he explicitly states that the purpose of these photoshoots was not only to attract attention from “sexual minorities” but also from “normal people”.
And people write and support his nude photoshot actions by writing nasty sexual comments here like they wanted to jump in the photos, or he would be on top or smth. and now they complain?
Chingiz’ s photoshoots are very much appreciated and welcome. The timing for publishing them just before the contest seemed very unfortunate, though. No doubt his photos were directed to ‘normal people’, but he was taking part in Eurovision, he was for sure aware Eurovision is a very gay-friendly event, some of the sites covering Eurovision are run by quite a few gays… So, there was no way he could have been unaware that by publishing naked photos before the contest he would be reaching to ‘sexual minorities’ as well and moreover that it could be seen as gay-baiting. That’s why… Read more »
There’s no complaining about his photos. Given his body is flawless, people would be very appreciative if he could publish more of that kind of photos. Let’s say 1 photoshoot per month until the end of the year. I certainly would be happy with that.
Finally, can people be gay and still be normal or if they’re gay, they are automatically stamped as space oddities? Come on, Chingiz, that way of thinking is so 20th century! I thought that kind of thinking belonged to the past.
Azarbaijan has a different reality than most european states. Homosexuality is not talked about and they definitely dont see gay people as normal people. It will take long time before it will be dragged out of the 20th century as you said
It’s not about his opinion, it’s about the way he expressed it and what he made come across through his words. If you tell me “I didn’t like the Netherlands” that’s fine, but if you insult Duncan and his song, then it’s not fine anymore. Obviously I’m exaggerating, but the point is that your words convey more than their literal meaning. He probably meant no harm, but the way he said it makes me (and, judging by the comments, the others too) understand that he’s disappointed at his good result and felt like Duncan didn’t deserve to win, which comes… Read more »
Feeling someone didn’t deserve something is very natural thing. We even live these things in our professional and personal lives. I don’t understand why expressing it make people comment nasty things about countries. Secondly, he didn’t insult The Netherlands and Duncan personally. He is talking about the work the singers and their team have put. Where is the insult?! Does it take too much logic to understand?!
Btw, I think Arcade deserved to win. But it doesn’t mean a public figure must love and think the way I think.
And quote:
“The song was good, but the staging was weak. I think our performance was better.”
He felt his performance achieved an “adequate” result for Azerbaijan, but evidently hoped for more.
I don’t see any insult or curse or aggression in his comments except people under this comment section. And I see you don’t live lives what you preach
I don’t know Russian, but I can use Google Translate. Are you saying that google had it wrong when they came up with this translation?:
“Because there was injustice against us in the competition.” We wanted to win first place. The seventh place was not ours, but the eighth place – all the more.”
And according to google translate he didn’t claim his result was adequate. He said:
“We thought we would win. But it turned out. The main thing is that we performed well, adequately represented Azerbaijan.”
What he said about The Netherlands part is properly put by Wiwibloggs in this article. If you already read the article…
I don’t think I said anything about Chingiz’ opinion of the Dutch staging. There were actually some offensive things he said in the interview. His opinion about the staging of the Dutch song wasn’t offensive. It only shows where his priorities lie
Stommie, I read the article again in Russian. I admit that he call them sexual minorities and we do not have the “straight” word for men who are heterosexual. Instead we use “normal” . We have “minor” word for nations and orientations or things who/what are thought to account less than typical. And after saying that he says that normal ( google translates ordinary) people understand that there is nothing wrong in the photoshoot and move on. Normal in that sense, should be “people overall” . And he did not say that he did not agree to take that photoshoot.… Read more »
What are you exactly talking about? There is no aggression in the comment section and I didn’t say Chingiz insulted Duncan. Please, read carefully before replying. I was making an exaggerated example (in rhetoric it’s called a hyperbole) to make you understand how serious words can be. It’s not about what he thinks about Duncan’s song, it’s about what he conveys through his words. He showed himself as an arrogant person who can’t handle a disappointment in his life. I understand he wanted and expected more, but that doesn’t mean you have to put other people’s work under a bad… Read more »
I didn’t need explanations for rhetorical questions. Chingiz has a right to criticise his fellow singers’ work and performance as everone has if he doesn’t insult countries and persons. You people are here the one who cannot distinguish that particular thing. And it is your problem. So it os ok to say anything in the behind but when you go to public you have to transform yourself to an angel. Well ,that what I am saying for hypocrites. You are not living lives what you are preaching. I didn’t directly said you are aggressive. I mean people who commented below.… Read more »
You really have a distorted vision of reality. I can’t even try to explain how disrespectful your comments are because the last three times I tried my comments went to moderation and because you don’t even care about understanding what I say since you like to twist my words. A little advice: try and change your behaviour or you’re gonna have big problems in your life. Hope it helps.
What a bad loser…. bitching on other acts is never a good sign. It shows that you do not focus on your own ability to win as you do not fully trust your own act’s capabilities. Did like the song and act of Azerbaijan and it deserved a top10 spot… but this spoils it all… what a wast of attention! Forget and move on with this guy
I thought he didn’t even deserve to be in the top 10. The song was weak and generic and to tell the Truth the staging wasn’t that impressive. Just because u threw money at the staging doesn’t make it amazing.
Chingiz, just shut up about it.
THE WINNERS :
1. Roksana Wegiel (Poland)
2. Mahmood (Italy)
Duncan Laurence (Netherlands) …. BORINGGGG…!!!
Lolno. You need to look up the definition of “winner”.
?’m agree with Chingiz. Duncan was boring as hell
Can you say alt? He didn’t say he was boring but try again, loser trolk.
agree
His song and its music video are a copy of Makeup by The Hardkiss and he has the gall to say these things. Ridiculous.
I dont understand some reaction of artists….. Azerbaijan and Serbia mainly ….( What did they expect ? To win ?? …with average songs ( only staging was good – with both of them ) … They should be happy for making to the final …not everyone had similar luck …and also ESC is once life time experience ! Ok Nevena was 3 time in ESC …but she should be happy, last time she stayed in semi … I also remember reaction of Alex Florea ( Romania 2017), or Armenia 2019 theey werent happy at all either …but its competition…. its… Read more »
Armenia 2019 was not happy about the results? She took the Instagram to thank the fans for the support 1 hour later after the non qualification 😐
@Kyla yeah thats true but …..she wrote she didnt expect ..to fail …and u can feel that she was rly angry or shock …still stage director of her song fail …
Well she wrote she didn’t expect because it wasn’t expected. She has a good voice and the song had both meaningful lyrics and was a diverse. Maybe yes, the staging ruined everything, but everyone expected her to be qualified. I mean, come on, there were countries that were qualified and those countries that were in the spotlight like Armenia, Poland, Romania, weren’t! WTF!? Besides she never compared her song with the others’, or she never wrote or say, you know, my song is better than the others or others’ are weaker than mine.
Srbuk had every right to be upset about the outcome especially since she was on of the best vocalists of the competition, but all she said was she was disappointed that she wasn’t able to achieve her objective and thanked the fans. She didn’t go after other participants.
I can still remember Netherlands’ staging… Australia’s staging… even North Macedonia’s staging… but somehow, I can’t seem to recall Azerbaijan’s staging… Ok, maybe the 2 weird robo hands… and that’s about it… So, can I say their staging is weak too?
I’m sure you remember Chingiz stage. Dont be foolish.
I did mention I remember the 2 weird robo hands, didn’t I? But the whole performance? Not so much to be honest.. Peace out to you.
More like the Turkish diaspora chose Serhat instead so the top marks were not going to be there for Azerbaijan
He spoke to a Turkish ESC fan-channel saying that he expects votes from “all Turks across Europe”, but it seems like they didn’t care, and it ended with him only receiving top marks in the televote from former USSR countries (Moldova and Russia), neither Germany, Belgium or France, which all has a significant Turkish diaspora, gave him anything in the televote, which is why he is disappointed.
Chingiz shut up!!
Most Nations would be thrilled with 7th place. Especially after being eliminated the year before. As for the map, it’s on screen for such a short time no one would of noticed. Plenty of other countries have disputed territories too.
Very sore losers indeed and my opinion of Chingiz has dropped.
He is actually 8th after results were adjusted
Who brings the dram and politic to the contest ?Ex USSR countries .always !
While everyone spreading love, kindness and talking about equality those countries trying to find a drama an throw a shades !
Eurovision without drama is like wine without alcohol….
Or Madonna without Autotune
LOL <3
Loser! You took my goddess Kate’s position! She deserved better than you! Don’t get me started that hilarious special effect of ascending in the end. Cheap!!!
Kate’s staging was amazing but the song is just okay.
What a sore looser. I loved his song but now this makes me sick plus his homophobic remarks to which this article has not make any references….
What remarks?
He said he was shocked by comments in his instagram on his half naked pictures coming from gay people, but flattered by the ones “normal” people gave.
Totally agree with Chingiz. Everyone should file a complaint against the EBU for being incompetent and corrupt.
But paying for a win like Azerbaijan isn’t corruption? LMFAO!!!
Drama drama. Staging is not everything and his staging was nothing wow so he should get a life.
yeah thats true, we can saw thaz if u have rly good song u can still stuck in semi like Agnete from Norway in 2016 or Greta from Iceland in 2016 or Kristina from Slovakia 2010 …
Azerbaijan couldn’t handle not being part of the drama for once. Chingiz, my man, count your blessings and stop demanding even more diaspora votes, it’s an ugly look.
he has a point, duncan did not even win televote annd jury. The guy was boring. It was WEAK and it must be frustrating when others put much more effort into it and are better. He was just sitting there with his god damn piano are u kidding? Stop blaming chingiz for telling the truth. Sweden should have won.
I totally agree with you
Hello, alt.
And Chingiz did win the televote ? Oh no…he got 100 votes …Oh did he win the jury vote then?
To each his own, and its also a matter of taste I understand that. But even if you think Duncan was weak and boring, at least he wrote the song himself, sang it himself and got the most points combined televote/jury vote. So chingiz is not telling the truth, he is sore loser. And so are you! 🙂
He wrote the song himself? i guess you missed the part where a swedish person co-wrote the song too. You can bet that if people didnt hate sweden and if john was a white male he would have won EASILY. And if duncan was black, he wouldnt be the winner right now, that’s for sure. And no, not a sore loser, just stating facts.
What facts ? That Duncan is not black? Yeah that’s a fact. And that someone co wrote his song, does not say that Duncan did not write it. Its HIS personal story. I am sorry that your favorite did not win, but hey…give Duncan at least the respect he deserves.
Perhaps you should read my comment again. i’m not disrespecting duncan. it just wasn’t fair, he did not deserve it, period.
Then who did? Either Keiino or Tamara Todevska by your logic, sure? Cause there is no scenario in which Azerbaijan ends-up first. None whatsoever.
Perhaps you should read your posts yourself. By saying a winner did not deserve to win, you disrespect him. Its that simple Azer.
No, taco. Perhpas you should read them again and use google. It’s called freedom of speech. Im not insulting him by saying he did not deserve to win, the song and staging were weak. Simple as that. Dont like it? Too bad, your problem.
Ah haha,..the freedom of speech card is being drawn. Well Azerright, I guess its hard for you to understand, but by saying he did not deserve to win and his personal song is weak, insulting is exactly what you do. And for the record, I am not saying you are not allowed to say that, I am just pointing out what you are doing. Have a nice life. This is my last reply.
The fact that the artist co-wrote the song doesn’t automatically make it a winning song. Too Late for Love’s lyrics are very generic and could have been written by a 12 year old. Same goes for Bigger than Us.
Also, remember Waylon last year? If John was white, there would have been a lot more controversy surrounding the entry. Waylon had a decent song, but only got 18th place due to his controversial performance.
They needed the help of a swede. Too late for love was better and the performance was amazing. It’s not only a song contest, it’s more than that. I dont care about waylon, his song was awful.
So did Chingiz. Lmfao
Just an FYI here since you don’t seem to get the very obvious point I’m making – I’m NOT talking about Waylon’s song nor do I give an F about your opinion of the song. I’m simply destroying your comment about “John doing better if he were white.”
“He was just sitting there with his god damn piano […]”…and yet was far better than Azerbaijan and Sweden combined…
Sweden should have won because Sweden did win the tele or jury vote?
Lol I guess he forgot about the infamous 93 points.
Lol how could i forget those 93 points i literally said ‘if people did not hate sweden’. Those points are proof, sweden has won too many times and is alwas on top 10, pure jealousy. I guess you should learn how to read too. Sweden should have won because they had the best performance and song. The televote gave more points to entries like san marino than to others who did better anyway lmao
Change your name to AzerWrong …sounds more like the soreness you display…Duncan rulezzzz!
Uhmmm no one won both the televote and jury vote. The televote and juries disagreed on nearly EVERYTHING, yet Arcade was one of the only songs they actually agreed on. The fact that the televote rewarded a contemporary song like Arcade 261 points was a major win for MUSIC.
Also, can you please justify why you are declaring Sweden’s entry the “rightful” winner. I’m genuinely curious to what criteria you have based this on. I also want to remind you that he finished 2nd with juries (4 point difference with Duncan. Yes, ONLY FOUR) and 9th with the televote.
well he was better than keino
dear Azeri delegation – you didn’t win, let’s face it, stop crying…learn from Tamara how to accept it…y
I was surprised to realize that I listen to “Truth” the most out of all entries this year. Backing vocals did their job but Chingiz was fine as well and his odd moves/faces that were just caught by the camera somehow added to that. It was very visible how disappointed he was with those 100 points when he went for the win. If he said what is written here, he can do that but looking like a sore loser won’t help him in the long run.
“The Dutch staging was weak”, lol… The Dutch were one of the few countries that weren’t ridiculously over the top. Just because you bring robots on stage doesn’t mean your staging is strong, it actually looked downright ridiculous.
Just because a singer told smth about The Netherlands you insult all Azerbaijan. I personally don’t like Chingiz. Neither as a singer, nor as a person. I think Netherlands deserved to win. But he has a right to express his thoughts wether they are right or wrong. If it is not the case, then people who commented here are the most hypocrite “democratic” Europeans.
I really hope Azerbaijan withdrawals from the circus.
Well you guys are the people who bring robots and trapese acts to eurovision and turning it into a “circus”. Just saying.
Well, you guys vote for a show woman who tries hard to be a rooster and turn Eurovision into a circus and it ia not the first time. Just saying.
Nobody insulted Azerbaijan. You Azis sure insult everyone else. This is why you should NOT be in Eurovision
Sore loser much smh. Although I have to agree about the staging, to me both the winner song and staging are forgettable and bland. But Chingiz was not much better either and whining to the media is nagl.
I don’t think Chingiz really said those things, it must have come from his backing singer.
Ictimai Television has every right complain about the map, but Chingiz is just an attention seeker imo
You worked more on the staging, yes, but that song was not a winning material dear Chingiz. At least Duncan sang his own chorus. And you finished 8th.
“at least Duncan sang his own chorus”
Mic drop! 🙂
Sorry, I haven’t read all 207 comments so I’m probably repeating what’s already been said – but I refuse to listen to an Azerbaijani contestant complain about fairness. They stole the victory in 2011, and shamelessly cheated long before and after that. They can suck it. Eric Saade is the one who should be complaining, Sweden might have tied with Ireland for seven wins if they had not bought and paid for their victory. I don’t think anybody disputes the 2013 cheating allegations – for which they should have received a five year ban – so this is the first… Read more »
Also, in 1996, the Norwegian voting graphics gave the six counties of Northern Ireland back to the Republic…so this type of thing has happened before. Get over it.
Good comment, but I think Azerbaijan stopped cheating in 2014. A sudden stop in televotes from places like Malta and Cyprus, two very bribe-able nations.
They have not stopped entirely. They traded their jury 12 points with Russia this year, and of course there’s the regular non-recognition of Armenia. They also deliberately did not vote for the favourites, their closest rivals. Purely my own speculation, of course…but I’m convinced.
Russia was a big favourite, so that kind of falls flat.
BEST COMMENT EVER, FIIIIIINALLY SOMEONE NON-ARMENIAN SEES THE TRUUUUUTH AND DARES TO OPEN HIS GOD DAMN MOUTH TO SPILL THE FCKING T!!!!!!!
Neither song was in my top 10, so….
Ugh what an ass. Now I’m glad Azerbaijan went from 7th to 8th place
What an awful country. Next year we can look forward to a great and unpolitical contest in a modern and fair country.
Wouldn’t hold my breath on that one either…it’s not always about the location.
ESC will be forewer political in some way ! its like a migration, it was here be4, its there now and it will be here forewer !
True but The Netherlands is probably the least controversial and universally liked (in political terms)- which will mitigate it. A lot of the drama attached to this year’s contest (and this is coming from someone who sat it out) was due to the controversy attached to hosting it in Israel at a time when the Middle East is especially volatile
Rude, arrogant. The staging of arcade was not weak, it was simple, beautiful, and it payed off.
daRUDE ?
Well, maybe the performance was weak, but it’s a song contest
Also, Chingiz, you came 8th, not 7th 😉