BELIEVE in Eurovision 2008

The 53-d Eurovision Song Contest, hosted by Serbia, came to an end on the 24th of May. 25 participants, who represented their countries in the final, were trying to win the main prize and get the right to host the well-known contest in their capital in 2009.

Among the favourites, Russia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey were named. As the final showed, the representative of Russia, Dima Bilan, knew perfectly well, why he decided to take part in the contest for the second time. Among the large number of possible representatives of Russia at the contest, Dima represented his country with dignity and won – Russia is №1 this year and Eurovision 2009 will take place in Moscow. Dima Bilan and his friends figure skater Evgeni Plushenko and violin player Edvin Marton created unforgettable atmosphere on the stage and made the whole Europe BELIEVE! Dima claimed that the number 24 is lucky for him – he was the 24th at the final and was born at this very day!

As for other leaders of the contest, they are Ukraine and Greece – beautiful girls from these countries managed to make the real hit of their songs and the hall in Belgrade danced with them. Ukraine is trying to duplicate the success of Ruslana who won Eurovision 2004. Last year Verka Serduchka was the second and this year Ani Lorak again only the second… But I think the representative of Ukraine Ani Lorak was very convincing with her Shady Lady! Armenia is the fourth in the draw.

All countries who took part in the contest and all the audience were really fascinated by this bright show and thanked Belgrade for this nice opportunity to have rest and to enjoy the number of the most talented representatives of different countries all over Europe.

It is interesting to point out, that the contest like Eurovision became very popular and the rights for organizing such a show went to East and America. So perhaps, in the near future, some other countries will enrich their culture by organizing such contests!

As for Eurovision 2008, it didn’t lose its originality and novelty. The contest contained a number of interesting and original shows, thus, the procedure of voting and choosing the best from the best was not quite easy. At the same time, Dime Bilan managed to win with the large advantage.

The only possible problem which I see in connection with Eurovision is its policization. I’m afraid the contest may turn into political rivalry and playing numerous political games. I wish it remained the festival of art and song – and not politics and dirty political games!

What about a dance with a star?

Dances not only make us healthy and fit, but also bring us aesthetic satisfaction in both cases: for us as participants and for us as spectators, nothing to say about the measure of this satisfaction when we speak about the 6th season of Dances with the Stars! Lots of fantastic episodes, a number of victories and defeats, lights, costumes, beauty, judges… What else can be said about this season of this popular reality show?

Reality show Dances with the Stars is based on the United Kingdom BBC Television series Strictly Come Dancing and is part of BBC Worldwide's international Dancing with the Stars franchise. This show is known all over the world and in every country it became popular and a real hit. The reasons for its popularity are clear enough: it is great, fantastic, a sight for sore eyes. People have an opportunity to observe their favorite celebrities in quite an unexpected role – as dancers. And it is necessary to admit that all participants managed to show their talent. As they say, talented people are talented in everything!

As far as the judges are concerned, their function was the most difficult. They had to choose the best from the best! Sometimes they were too strict and gave their points rather to professionals than to amateur dancers. But on the other hand, they couldn’t be too mild – in that case all celebrities might have become winners! I would say that notwithstanding some defeats, misunderstanding and mistakes, all the celebrities are winners. They had enough courage to start doing something new for them and did it professionally, didn’t they?

It is early to speak about new season of Dances with the Stars so far, but what is absolutely sure is that this show bit all other reality TV shows. And together with its positive features I’d like to point out another one, not less important: such shows have important social meaning – they develop our aesthetic taste, the feeling of beauty. People who are fond of dances and emotional life are not likely to begin wars. Isn’t it that what we need in the 21st century???