History of the contest and the first Russian performers
As you know, the competition was created in 1956 and was held for the first time in Swiss Lugano. Growing up from the idea of the festival in San Remo, he was called upon to unite Europe, which was slowly withdrawing from the turmoil of the war. As you understand, the USSR did not exhibit its performers in view of ideological and political disagreements with the West.
The situation changed in 1994, when the singer Judith (Maria Katz) performed for the first time at the Eurovision Song Contest. Her composition was called "The Magic Wanderer" ("Magic Word"). A girl from 10 contenders was chosen by the TV program "Program A". In our country she was widely known as a performer of blues compositions, participated in musicals (for example, Chicago), voiced films and cartoons (for the songs from the animated film "Anastasia"). even received a prize from the 20-cent century Fox). At the contest, the singer struck everyone with impeccable vocals and an unusual costume. Having scored 70 points, she won 9th place.
The following years have become less successful for Russia. Producers of the ORT channel decided to bet on domestic celebrities. In 1996 Philip Kirkorov went to Dublin. Unfortunately, his song "The Lullaby of Volcano" turned out to be uninteresting and was awarded only 17th place.
Approximately the same thing happened with Alla Pugacheva, who in 1997 represented Russia with the song "Primadonna". Europeans did not understand the composition, but the performer's costume shocked them. The result is 15th place.
Russian Eurovision Song Contestants by Year
Russia returned to the contest in 2000 and won the first victory. Young singer Alsu from Tatarstan successfully performed the song "Solo" and took silver. Its result can be repeated only in 2006.
In 2003 on Eurovision the group "taTu" went to Latvia. The bet was made on an outrageous image of young schoolgirls with an unconventional orientation. The song "Do not believe, do not be afraid" attracted attention and became the third.
In 2004 and 2005, former participants of the "Fabrika" project - Julia Savicheva ("Believe me" - 11th place) and Natalia Podolskaya ("Nobody hurt no on" - 15th place) are sent to the contest. 2006 is marked by another breakthrough - the second place of Dima Bilan. The composition "Never let you go" gave way to the punk band Lordi from Finland.
In 2007, the little-known band "Serebro" unexpectedly wins the third place in Helsinki.
And now comes the year 2008. Russia again sends to the contest Dima Bilan. His bright composition "Believe me" is accompanied by a magnificent Hungarian violinist Edwin Marton, as well as a dance on the ice, performed by the famous figure skater Evgeni Plushenko. Honored one place.
In 2009, Eurovision took place for the first time in Russia. Unfortunately, Anastasia Prikhodko and her "Mamo" were only 11th.
In 2010 at the contest, Russia was presented to the unknown Peter Nalitch. The selection was held with the song "Guitar", the video of which was posted on YouTube. At the competition, the performer himself, and his "Lost and Forgotten" were out of format and earned only 11th place.
Speech by Alexei Vorobyov in 2011 was remembered more by scandals associated with the obscene statements of the singer, rather than with the number itself. As a result, the 16th place.
In 2012, the producers made an absolutely unconventional choice. Folklore group from Udmurt village Buranovo went to conquer Europe. "Buranovskie grandmothers" conquered all with their fervor, strong vocals and bright costumes. Despite the fact that their "Party for Everyone" did not win the grand prix, but took only silver, it became a real hit.
In 2013, the vocalist from Tatarstan Dina Garipova performed in Europe and won the "Voice" project. The song "What if ..." became the fifth.
In 2014, the contest winners went to the children's version of the Eurovision - the sister of Tolmachyov. Maria and Anastasia performed the song "Shine", but, unfortunately, did not even enter the top five (9th place). The leader was a "bearded woman" from Austria - Conchita Wurst.
In 2015, the representative of our country will be Polina Gagarina. We hope that she will be able to win, and we will keep her fists for her.
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