Azerbaijan: Dilara Kazimova releases her entry in Azerbaijani!

Dilara Kazimova has released the Azerbaijani version of her Eurovision entry. Simply stunning. Azerbaijani is such a beautiful language and I really would love to hear it in Eurovision someday. Dilara has very busy promoting her entry - she's spent time in Lithuania and Hungary, where she got the opportunity to meet Vilija Matačiūnaitė and András Kállay-Saunders. She also visited Amsterdam a couple of weeks ago where she attended the Eurovision In Concert event and performed "Start A Fire" live. And here's the Azerbaijani version of "Start A Fire"...

Introducing 2014: Azerbaijan!

Dilara Kazimova won Böyük Səhnə, the Azerbaijani selection show, which was a big talent show in Azerbaijan. Dilara was a great choice. The song she'll perform in Copenhagen was released a couple of weeks later and is entitled Start A Fire. It features the Azerbaijani national musical instrument - balaban. I love it. Probably the best entry from Azerbaijan since 2010... and it isn't a typical Eurovision song. There's something rather beautiful about this. Throughout Böyük Səhnə, Dilara performed Hometown Glory, Mercy and Happy.

She's already entered the Azerbaijani selection in 2008 and 2010. She came runner-up on both occasions. In 2010, Dilara was the lead singer of Milk & Kisses. Will Azerbaijan qualify in Copenhagen? Hell yeah! Some people are even predicting that Azerbaijan could win in Copenhagen....

Azerbaijan: Dilara reveals "Start A Fire"!

The song that will represent Azerbaijan has been revealed. Dilara Kazimova was announced as the winner of "Böyük Səhnə" a couple of weeks ago and expectations have been high. I think Azerbaijan are the ones to watch to be honest - a beautiful song. I cannot wait to see this be performed live in Copenhagen! Another fantastic entry from Azerbaijan... ENJOY!

Azerbaijan: Dilara Kazimova selected!

The grand final of Böyük Səhnə, the Azeri selection, was actually filmed a few days ago and the results were leaked. So it was no surprise that Dilara Kazimova had won! She beat of stiff compention from Erkin Osmanli and Xana Hasanova. The song will be revealed next week - and I really hope to hear some traditional music from Azerbaijan this year, although I'm not holding my breath.

Azerbaijan: 14 artists still in the running!

There are currently 14 participants which have advanced to the "Super Casting Rounds" in Böyük Sehne - this years selection process for Azerbaijan. These are the 14 acts that have qualified:

• Fuad Asadov
• Safa Eldar
• Wave Wave
• Dilara Kazimova
• Khan Hasanov
• Valeria Huseynzadeh (Rilaya)
• Elton Ibragimov
• Samir Efendiyeva
• Aydin Eyvazzade
• Ayshebeyim Nagieva
• Lala Sultan
• Azad Shabanov
• Erik Osmanli
• Hulya Ibadova

The Azerbaijani national final will be held in exactly a month, on 2nd March.