Azerbaijani broadcaster, İctimai Television (İTV), has opened its submission window for entries to represent the Caucasus nation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. It’s been eleven years since Azerbaijan won the contest with “Running Scared”, so will İTV find their second winning entry this year?
Azerbaijan look to build on Eurovision success
Following Efendi’s qualification to the Eurovision final, Azerbaijan is looking to continue their positive trend. Having seen their first non-qualification in 2018 when Aisel represented the nation with “X My Heart”, Chingiz returned Azerbaijan to the top 10 in 2019.
Since 2015, Azerbaijan has internally selected both their performer and their song for the Eurovision Song Contest. It is to be expected that the act for 2022 will also be selected through this method.
Entries must be submitted in demo form to the broadcaster and comply with all Eurovision rules – not exceeding 3 minutes and not commercially released prior to 1st September 2021. In addition to this, the broadcaster has also requested that all applicants provide a brief description of themselves.
Those interested in applying should send their eligible entries to [email protected].
Azerbaijan at Eurovision 2021
Samira Efendiyeva (Efendi) was internally selected by İTV to represent Azerbaijan in 2020 with “Cleopatra”. She was due to perform in the first semi-final prior to the cancellation of the 2020 contest. Following the cancellation, the broadcaster chose to re-select her for the 2021 contest. Back in March, Efendi released her 2021 entry “Mata Hari”.
In Rotterdam, she qualified from the first semi-final in 8th place. She ultimately placed 20th in the Grand Final with a total of 65 points.
