Mr Putin has again been asked to award 12 points.
A surprise visit by Vladimir Putin's motorcade after May 9th's Victory Parade caused a commotion behind the scenes at the Olimpiisky Complex. Within half an hour, an urgent press release from the Azeri delegation announcing that the Russian Prime Minister had attended one of the Aisel and Arash duet's rehearsals had landed in front of all the computers at the press centre and on all the chairs in the press conference room.
This visit was fortunate for the two singers. For the past three days, according to a May 14th poll of journalists that was displayed in the press area, Azerbaijan has lead the list of prospective winners of the second semi-final, several points ahead of the contest's favourite, Alexander Rybak from Norway. And now they have received an added bonus in the form of Vladimir Putin, who came on stage during their rehearsal. With true Middle-Eastern refinement, Aisel managed to hide her nervousness with a charming smile. Her partner Arash was temporarily rendered speechless, but then managed to pull himself together and ask Mr Putin to vote for them by SMS and give them 12 points. It was now Mr Putin's turn to flash a tantalizing and mysterious smile. This pair was not the first to ask him to give them the coveted 12 points; last time it had been Andrew Lloyd Webber...
MK asked Aisel and Arash to share their feelings after the unexpected moment of glory.
Q.: How do you explain your success in the poll of journalists? Was it Aisel's dazzling beauty that blinded everyone, or the stellar quality of Arash that impressed the journalists?
Arash: Aisel of course is beautiful. I am not. I am a monster. In fact we jokingly call our duet "Beauty and the Beast." But seriously, one shouldn't make too much of this poll. The results of the poll are welcome, but we understand that they won't make things any easier for us. On the contrary, we will have to work even harder to live up to high expectations. The secret of our success, I think, is that Aisel and I make a wonderful team. She has beauty and a fine voice and I have, I think, my own merits and experience. We work very well together. This ensured the success we now enjoy. By this I mean not so much success on the Eurovision, but more the response we had when we went on a promo tour of Europe. We especially liked the positive reaction in Sweden, where I have long lived and worked, and which is almost like my home country. Another reason, of course, is the fantastic Swedish team we worked with: musical producers, choreographers and directors. To be honest, we were very nervous at first: are we doing everything right? Are we coming across well? But now we are simply enjoying ourselves. They helped us to come up with a truly wonderful performance and gave us confidence.
Q.: The Swedes are a good choice. They know the Eurovision inside out.
Arash: Many of them have been my friends for a long time. When this whole Eurovision thing started, we realised we could work together. By the way, they have also worked with Carola, the Swedish superstar. She won the Eurovision contest twice. So these people have tremendous experience.
Aisel: I especially admired our choreographer. He opened up a new world of dance and stage moves for me. I discovered wonderful things, such as how one can be aware of one's body and control it. I was learning a new science and it gave me a fantastic feeling. We are a terrific team, and the main thing is that they are very positive people. That helps our work a lot.
Q.: Everything is mixed up in the Eurovision these days. Last year, for example, the Ukrainian performance was produced by Greeks, Norway's contestant this year is Rybak, who is a Belarusian, the Swedes are fine-tuning a performance for Azerbaijan, and a Turkish contestant is actually half-Belgian. What about television viewers in the various countries? Who should they vote for?
Arash: But isn't it wonderful that people have gotten absolutely mixed up? Things will be less predictable.
Aisel: It's a madhouse. I hope it will lead people to vote without considering nationality, but for the songs and performances that really are the best. That would be great, and the right thing to do.
Q.: What do you think of the new system of voting this year? Would you personally prefer a vote by TV, or a professional jury?
Aisel: I don't think it makes much difference. Our job is to sing well, and give a first-class performance. If we accomplish this, I am sure the viewers and the jury will judge us by the result.
Arash: I haven't yet figured out what is better for us. The new rules may be better in some ways and worse in other ways. The professionals sitting on the jury perceive music differently from ordinary people. I am a professional myself; I have studied music and I know what I am talking about. The so-called pros are not always open-minded enough. Pop music is a genre for the masses. It aims less at professionals and their perceptions, and more at the broad masses. The Eurovision is entertainment for the people and not a contest at a music academy. So it's debatable whether a professional jury is preferable.
Q.: It is a pity that Iran, which is Arash's home country, is not participating in the Eurovision. Then you could have relied on Iranian fans giving you 12 points.
Arash: That's true. But there are many Persians living in Europe. We hope they will support with their SMSs. It would be great if we won of course, but personally, I don't make too much of it. I hate stress. The most important thing to me is to go to bed and wake up with a smile. This is how I live, and it feels wonderful. I have been in many duets during my career, but my duet with Aisel really "got me". It's been really fortunate occurrence and a lot of fun. It is important to be proud of what you have done. We are proud because we know that we have come up with something good and worthwhile. Life does not end with the Eurovision. The show must go on.
Q.: Arash, you have been in duets in Russia, such as The Blestyashchiye (the Brilliants). You are famous here. Do you hope Russians will vote for you?
Arash: Let me be frank with you. When I was undecided as to whether or not to compete in the Eurovision, the fact that it was to be held in Moscow was a serious plus. I know Moscow. I feel at home here. Much of my career has been connected with Moscow, and I аm coming to a familiar place where I know everything. Another reason is that the Eurovision is something new for me. I wanted to give it a try, and to know how it feels to be in this circus.
Q.: All of show business is one big circus!
Arash: Absolutely. But honestly, initially I didn't like it very much. It was very stressful in the beginning. I like to enjoy life, and not to live under so much pressure. I am a master of relaxing, and my music reflects it. But eventually I got into the swing of things, and now I am enjoying it. Much of the credit goes to the team, and especially to Aisel. Without this duet, if I were to performed solo, for example, I think I would still be feeling uncomfortable. She exudes energy and has very positive vibes.
Q.: Aisel, is it stressful for you too? You are not as experienced as Arash, and you are such a fragile girl.
Aisel: It was very stressful initially, of course. Arash at least had his experience to fall back on. This was quite a new situation for me. I just recently turned 20. I was a coddled child all my life, the pet of the family. And suddenly I find myself in a situation where I am completely at a loss. But I managed, and I even earned praise from our team, which makes me happy. We rehearsed and trained in Sweden, where Arash and all the others tried to create a relaxed atmosphere. The atmosphere was very good. Calm is the best recipe for truly productive work, and this atmosphere calmed me. I was surprised that I wasn't nervous when I first came on stage during a rehearsal at the Olimpiisky Complex. I felt tremendously happy and surprisingly calm.
Q.: How did you make it to the Eurovision? You are so young and you had such a sheltered childhood.
Aisel: I had already started a career at home in Azerbaijan. To be honest, I wasn't thinking about the Eurovision. Anyway, last year, when my country debuted in the contest, it was something very remote from my own life, and I was put off by all this talk of "motivated voting", and the "political implications," etc. But my friends and co-workers seemed to have plotted together: they started to say that I must try out for the Eurovision. At first I wouldn't hear of it; I was too young. But they badgered me and badgered me. Eventually I gave in. I am not sorry. The decision has changed my life.
Q.: We wish you luck, and hope Putin will give you 12 points.
By Artur Gasparyan