Jan Ola Sand: 'Good foods, friendly people. I am sure everyone will have a good time in Baku'

Azerbaijan is in the focus of world`s attention after becoming Eurovision-2011 winner. Great preparations are being carried out in Baku to host the 2012 contest.

Azerbaijan State Telegraph Agency (AzerTAc) has interviewed Eurovision song contest head Jan Ola Sand. The following is the full text of the interview:

We are doing rehearsals inside the Baku Crystal Hall. Preparations are going well, they have been going well since we started the preparations early June last year. We are doing technical rehearsals with different people on stage, so we can have overview of how it would be when delegations arrive in just a few days.

- You have enough experience in this sphere. What is the specificity of the Baku event?

- Every year it is a challenge, every year it is different. We are in a new location, it is a brand-new arena. It is also far from the Central part of Europe where the previous contests have been held. But it is working very well, and we are very pleased to be here.

- How do you think, will the guests, attendees, participants like the Baku stage?

- The Baku stage will be very very good, it will be different from last year. They have invented some new look and field to the stage which I really appreciate. I am sure that everyone will see a spectacular show, and I am sure that the artists will feel comfortable on the stage.

- You have been in several places where Eurovision was held. How do you think, what is the difference between those places and Crystal Hall?

- First of all, Baku Crystal Hall is brand-new. No one has been there before, so we are actually opening the Hall. I think Baku Crystal Hall will be a very good asset for the city of Baku, because, here can be held different big events, concerts, exhibitions, and so on. So, I think it will be a great Hall for Baku. It is quite similar to the other arenas when you come inside, but if you look at outside it is very very special architecture, and very grand, good looking arena.

- How do you estimate security measures at the Crystal Hall and the press center?

- We have very good dialogue with the security authorities in Azerbaijan. We have been working with them for a long time to make sure that we can have safe and secure Eurovision Song Contest. We really feel that we have good cooperation which shows that we will have safe and well arranged Eurovision here in Baku.

- Do you have any suggestions for the tourists and guests who will come to Baku?

- First of all, they have to look around the city, walk the boulevard. They have to see the Old Town of course, where Maiden Tower has been settled. We see many good restaurants in the city. Good foods, friendly people. I am sure everyone will have a good time.



/AzerTAc/