Nineteen seventy-nine: my six-year-old self, halfway through my first year at school. My family leave the then Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan and my birth city of Baku with our sights set on a new life in Melbourne, Australia.
Turn the clock forward some 32 years and I am sitting at home watching the direct internet telecast of the final of Eurovision 2011 live from Dusseldorf, Germany. My partner Jason and I had made a decision that, after being huge fans for 10 years, whichever country wins and hence hosts Eurovision 2012, we will be there with bells on.
Once the extended voting telecast comes to an end and Azerbaijan with performers Elle and Nikki are announced as the winners my heart melts and tears start rolling or really gushing down my cheeks.
I write on Facebook, “I am sitting here crying my eyes out”. Jason’s sister Brenda immediately comments, anxious about what the problem is.
I am crying with joy, pride and an anxiety yet happiness that I will be returning in May 2102 to Baku for the first time in 32 years. I am so proud to be able to show Jason and his sister
Julie the place I was born while at the same time participate in the festivities that are Eurovision. As I walk through the doors of the airport will I be Pope-like and kiss the ground? Who knows.
After long planning which spanned 12 months, from flights to accommodation and visas, we are merely days away from leaving, headed for the ‘Land of Fire’, Baku, Azerbaijan. Most people’s reply to this is, “Where? Where’s that? Never heard of it”.
Azerbaijan is next door to Turkey, Iran, and Georgia. On the coast of the Caspian Sea, the city of Baku is certainly not now the place I left so long ago, the place I remember where our toilet was across the decking and the house roof was made of road tar. Toilet paper was a luxury so we used newspapers instead.
Having gained entry visas (an ordeal in itself) I thought it would be worth applying for press accreditation for all three of us as that would gain us access to all areas and performers.
Having been nominated as JOY94.9’s Baku correspondents I filled out the necessary forms online and sent them off, assuming a rejection within two – six weeks.
A day later, BANG! Press accreditation confirmed. Two JOY interviews later, we left on May 19.
My predictions for Eurovision 2012 are, in order: Sweden, Italy, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, France, Ukraine, Russia, UK. So see you all in Stockholm 2013. I have already researched the best airfare for 2013 — hate to wait!
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By DAVID TARSHIS
