Semi-final 1 press conference: What the qualifiers said

Greece’s Maria Elena Kyriakou did battle with a wind machine. Georgia’s Nina Sublatti grew LED wings. And Armenia’s Genealogy spread all around the world (well, all over an image of one). As the results came in, tension was high — even if the emcees rushed through the announcements. Thrills and spills, tears and fears — we love it! The team from wiwibloggs ran to the press centre after the show to film the qualifiers’ press conference. We transcribed as we watched, so you can read the rough transcript below. You can also watch the entire press conference in our video below.

Semi final 1: Qualifiers press conference

Albania: Elhaida Dani with “I’m Alive”

Did you expect it?

With this moment you never expect it. You expect everything. Really. Hearing the name of my country going to the final was crazy. I am so happy. I am crazy happy.

How are you feeling? Albania feels proud of you.

I had this responsibility, a big responsibility representing my country in this event, the biggest show in the world. It’s not little. So being in the final is amazing. I am so happy. It doesn’t matter how it is going to be in the final. Just being there is a lot. I am proud of it. I am so proud that I represented my country, Albania.

The change from “Diell” was dramatic. How did you prepare?

Actually it was really a dramatic one because we were, in late February, preparing the lyrics in English and everything. And in late February to know that the composer decided to withdraw the song. I thought it is the end. Then they called me and said that I can prepare a new song. So in three days we came up with the song “I’m Alive”. The composers are here and I really thank them. We did a great job.

Running order: Second half

Armenia: Genealogy with “Face the Shadow”

How is the feeling?

Vahe: Absolutely amazing. I’m at a loss for words. I think I speak on behalf of all six of us that we are super excited and honoured and humbled, and I love you guys.

We all know how hard it’s been combining five continents together. What was the toughest obstacle to overcome? What’s the best part?

Gohar (HoD): It was really hard, but we succeeded and it’s really hard to combine six people with different characters and mentalities, with different visions. But we have one Genealogy and that unites us. The family – this is the secret.

Vahe: As she said, nothing is really easy, especially when you are trying to bring people form five different continents with Armenia. We all have our personalities, our characters, our strength. But the beauty of it is when we got together it was as if we had been together for many, many years. We became a family, as Gohar said, so it really was something beautiful that Armenian Public Television created and we’re very very happy about this.

Gohar: Thank you to the Armenians spread all over the world. Thank you for all the voting.

Since Armenians are spread all over the world, what do you think is the message that Genealogy sends to people all over the world?

Vahe: As we’ve said in a number of interviews, it’s all about spreading peace and love and to do that through music. I think we all achieve that. Another one is building bridges, as the theme of this year’s Eurovision is “Building Bridges”. We’ve done that to a T. We’ve brought together five continents and the diaspora and linked it with our motherland, Armenia.

Running order: First half

Russia: Polina Gagarina with “A Million Voices”

Tell us about your feelings.

Oh my God. That is my feeling. I’m sorry for my English, please. But can you please do your questions easy, OK? I’m crazy happy. It was amazing. I just cried. Oh my God. It was like, I have a son, so this is like the first time I was having a son or a baby. This is a second child, guys.

We are very happy you are in the final. How do you feel the emotion from the Wiener Stadthalle? How did people react? Have you build any bridge from your song?

It was really, really amazing and I’m so thankful for that warmest welcome because everybody was singing with me and it was just amazing. Really. Thank you all who sang with us. Thank you so much.

Your country is famous about LGBT rights. Why didn’t you sing a song about LGBT rights to change and repair this?

Well… I just can say that my song is really about love and it’s really about that we are speaking, everybody is speaking one language, language of love. It’s no difference who you are. We are people and we can make bridges in a moment. I saw it today. It was amazing. Everybody was screaming “Po-li-na”. I cried. It was so…”

Running order: Second half

Romania: Voltaj with “De La Capat”

We are very, very, very happy. Thank you for voting for us. It means that our message touched your souls and hearts. And we are very happy that our campaign and message will go on in the final. It’s a paradox here. I have two sons, eight and seven years old, and my wife is there in the audience. We don’t want to leave them behind! They are with the rest of the band. We are very happy. We are happy that our tradition, Romania’s tradition to go in the final, it will go on.

HoD:: This is our 21st year that we go through to the final. That’s absolutely amazing.

Calin: This was the main pressure for me!

The campaign goes on and on, but surely the band’s profile will be raised too. Which megastar musician would you want to call you on Sunday morning?

HoD: Sunday morning is his birthday.

Calin: So I will be drunk. It’s Bono from U2.

You managed to transmit a strong message. What message do you have tonight for those Romanian upcoming generations who aspire for a future better than their grandparents or parents?

It’s imperative to solve this problem so children can grow up. The situation must be solved immediately. We are part of Europe, so it’s our problem. That’s why we are here – for the message. We are an old band with an old history, but this message here in front of you guys. It’s awesome to share this message all over the world.

HoD: I can’t imagine more than a week without my daughter. You parents will understand. Help us spread the message of Voltaj.

Calin: I spoke with a Polish guy on the red carpet and he told me there are more than two million Polish people abroad and I started to cry. It’s not just our problem.

HoD: It’s time to build bridges between kids and parents.

Running order: Second half

Hungary: Boggie with “Wars for Nothing”

I feel the same as the other singers. I’m so happy and I’m so proud of my team, my background singers. I think we did a great job and I’m so satisfied with everything.

Can you tell us about your mindset during your performance? You sang after a big dance song.

Before going on the stage, yeah, it’s not easy after Serbia. Serbia, it’s a really dancing song. My song is really calm and it’s really peaceful. So I don’t use in-ear monitors before the Serbian song. After I put them in and before I go on stage, I always talk with my singers. I give them confidence and advice about what to think about on the stage. The most important thing for me on stage is to share my message. I don’t care about visuals – just the message. I was so proud of my team because I think we can communicate the message in the best way we can.

Your song is “Wars for Nothing”. Is your intention to change the world through the song contest?

Exactly. I am a singer-songwriter, and I always write songs about my thoughts and feelings. I already have two albums with a lot of deep meaning songs. “Wars for Nothing” is a song about and for peace. I really believe that through music we can make the world a better place. Music is more powerful than some people think. I strongly believe in it. I am so happy that Europe could understand my message. Thank you very much for your votes.

Running order: Second half

Greece: Maria-Elena Kyriakou with “One Last Breath”

Did you expect it?

50-50. You never know what will happen, so I was crying when the results came out. Thank God that I have the second opportunity to sing my song again and the whole Europe will listen to it again. I feel very blessed. Thank you so much.

Since the crisis is still in Greece, what will happen if you win on Saturday?

Ha ha! We will definitely do it.

Would you change the title of your song to “One More Breath”?

Yes, to “More Breaths”!

What takes your breath way?

If I didn’t pass tonight I wouldn’t have any breathe. It was very important for my country to pass. And due to the economic and political crisis, Greece deserves a second chance.

Running order: Second half

Estonia: Elina & Stig with “Goodbye to Yesterday”

You cried a little bit during the semi-final.

Elina: Yes, I cried. I’m an emotional girl.

Stig: I want to thank everyone, of course, voting for us. Since we already said we take it step by step, I believe we took the first step right now.

Stig, you have brought a Finnish flag. Our slogan is Building Bridges here, and there has been talk about building an underwater bridge between Estonia and Finland. Can you tell us what is so special about the Estonian-Finnish friendship?

Stig: First of all we have a similar language, we have the same anthem, we live across the sea.

Elina: There are many Estonians who live in Finland. My sister lives there. We are neighbors so we have to support each other. We love Finnish people.

Stig: I really like the Finnish song also. That’s why I brought the flag.

What do you think of PKN and their song?

Stig: I know this band for a few years now. It was a bold choice. Deep down in their hearts, everyone loves punk music I think. There is a rebellion inside each and everyone of us. The song stood out from the other songs.

Running order: First half

Georgia: Nina Sublatti with “Warrior”

Your feelings?

I’m feeling really proud and I really feel Georgia is happy right now. I know how they feel. They are really proud. I think Georgia really deserved it. They are fighting to be free, to be Europe. This is a really building bridge for us. I am really proud and they are really proud.

You’re right – all Georgia is very proud of you. You are a true warrior. Is your country a warrior as well?

Oh, absolutely. You know, I always hear a question like “Why ‘warrior’? Why is that the name?” This is really weird that in a 20-year-old girl’s mind is not an easy mind, and she is thinking about being a warrior, being feminist. We really have a reason for that our country is a small one. There is a lot of people who is trying to destroy us. They are really want to, I don’t know… I can’t say that they really want to be Georgians. Something like that. This is really hard to explain what it means for Georgia to be warrior because we are trying to be fighters for centuries. This is hard to explain, hard to talk about it. This is a history issue. This is not a simple question.

How does it feel to stand alone on stage in front of 10,000?

I was not alone – all of Georgia was with me. This song was dedicated to my friends, to whole Georgia, so I was feeling like I’m not alone. There was actually my backing vocalists, but they were backstage. I was not alone.

Running order: Second half

Serbia: Bojana Stamenov with “Beauty Never Lies”

First of all, I would love to say you are so beautiful and thank you for supporting me. And second, the news reporters know I love to talk, but you left me speechless.

Have you been a little bit nervous because you might not be in the final?

Well, I was excited. We had rehearsals these days guys and they were temple, temple, temple. I was nervous before I got on the stage, but when I heard the audience and the reaction, it was beautiful. And the most important thing for me is number nine is my lucky number. Number nine is the number they called us to go to the finals. And number nine was the number that Marija Serifovic was called. Read between the lines of number nine! Does that answer your question, darling? I’m trying to be like Conchita Wurst. You have to look into her eyes. “Oh darling, I love your dress.” Conchita is amazing!

We saw Marija Serifovic. I want to know how it feels to work with her. Did she give you any suggestions?

Marija has been a great support. I cannot lie. She gave me a few tips. But actually the most important tip she gave me was be yourself, be natural. “You’re gonna be nervous. You should be sick now, at this moment you should be sick.” I’m just kidding. Marija gave me the best support she could by telling me to be myself, concentrate on the song and enjoy. I can’t believe we’re going to the finals.

Running order: First half

Belgium: Loïc Nottet with “Rhythm Inside”

At press conferences he’s a little bit calm, but on stage you are really strong!

I’m more stressed answering questions now than singing on stage.

We don’t have a tradition to go to the final every year so I think you made a lot of Belgians happy. What went through your head when they called the ninth country. Were you nervous?

Yes, of course, because the competition was really hard and there were a lot of great songs. So yes, of course I was nervous.

Since the slogan of this year’s contest is “building bridges”, how can the younger generations of Belgians reinforce the unity of the country?

I love Eurovision because in Eurovision you just have to listen to your heart and listen to music. I think it’s really important when you have complex culture like I have because tonight Belgium was united. We were one, we were one from millions of people. I’m really proud to see the entire Belgium were behind me tonight. Thank you Belgium and thank you Europe.

Running order: First half

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Photo: Andres Putting (EBU)