FARID MAMMADOV VISITS MALTA & GEORGIA

Farid’s visit to Malta was rather like one of those Hollywood “love-at first sight” movies. The major difference was the man in question, Farid Mammadov, Azerbaijan’s national selection for Eurovision 2013, fell in love instantly not with one woman but with an island and its welcoming people. Although the schedule of interviews and performances was very intense, Farid had an opportunity to meet and interact with some of Malta’s past and present Eurovision selections.

One of those greeting Farid warmly was Kurt Calleja, who charmed the audience as Malta’s representative in Baku during Eurovision 2012. Farid also had a great time chatting with Chiara, who has the unique experience of representing her country in Eurovision not once but three times – 1998 in London, 2005 in Kiev, and 2009 in Moscow. “It’s just wonderful to meet and talk with someone who’s had such great Eurovision experience to her credit,” Farid said after their meeting. For her part, Chiara described Farid as simply “gorgeous”.

A joint photo shoot along with Malta’s Eurovision selection Gianluca Bezzina produced not only a great photo but also became another unique experience. Since 1991, this will be the first that before Eurovision a Maltese artist will appear on a magazine cover with a representative of another country. Gianluca and Farid also were featured in joint TV interviews and performances.

With all the opportunities to meet other Eurovision participants past and present, it was probably inevitable that some small issue might crop up. During his interview for TVPM show Farid got a bit lost in translation and said something that made the audience believe he is in a personal relationship. During a commercial break, Farid realized the error and asked the host to announce that his heart, body and soul are still very much unencumbered and available. Getting his relationship status corrected was probably a good thing since Farid has already decided to come back right after Eurovision in Malmo for a holiday to check out beaches and nightlife of marvellous Malta.

FARID IN GEORGIA
Farid Mammadov, Azerbaijan’s national selection for Eurovision 2013, ventured into Georgia, which is familiar territory for many Azerbaijanis. The neighbouring Caucasus states not only have very friendly relations, they share a 322 kilometre border. In fact, many Azerbaijanis live closer to the Georgian capital of Tbilisi than to Baku, their own capital on the Caspian shore in the far east of the country.

When Farid crossed that border yesterday he was warmly welcomed as he worked through a busy schedule that included a press conference and live performances on Radio Fortuna and Music Box TV, followed by a welcome dinner. One of the major highlights of the Tbilisi visit was a meeting with Georgia’s national selection for Eurovision 2013, the musical duo Nodi Tatishvili and Sophie Gelovani. There was a lively discussion and a short jam session of their Eurovision offering, “Waterfall” and Farid’s increasingly well-known “Hold Me”.