Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Azerbaijan participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "Always" written by Arash Labaf, Robert Uhlmann, Marcus Englöf, Johan Bejerholm, Alex Papaconstantinou, Anderz Wrethov and Elin Wrethov. The song was performed by AySel and Arash, which were internally selected by the Azerbaijani broadcaster İctimai Television (İTV) to represent the nation at the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia. AySel and Arash's selection as the Azerbaijani Eurovision entrants were announced separately on 17 January and 12 February 2009, respectively, while the song "Always" was presented to the public on 3 March 2009.
AySel and Arash at the Eurovision Opening Party in Moscow
AySel and Arash performing during the second semi-final
Eurovision Song Contest 2009
The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was the 54th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It took place in Moscow, Russia, following the country's victory at the 2008 contest with the song "Believe" by Dima Bilan. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Channel One (C1R), the contest was held at the Olimpiysky Arena, and consisted of two semi-finals on 12 and 14 May, and a final on 16 May 2009. The semi-finals were presented by Russian model Natalia Vodianova and television presenter Andrey Malakhov, while the final was presented by Russian television presenter Ivan Urgant and former Russian contestant Alsou Abramova, becoming the first and to date only time that two different sets of presenters had hosted the semi-finals and finals.
Olimpiysky Arena, Moscow – host venue of the 2009 contest.
The stage design of the contest
Alexander Rybak after winning the final.
Cover art of the official album