День первый. Day one.

Mija Martina (Bosnia) press-conference

Mia Martina said that she was proud to be in Latvia and to represent her country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003. The 18 years old singer confessed that when she first saw the stage she could only say “wow!” - that is how impressed she was with it.
The head of the delegation Sedan Hadzifejzovic noted that Bosnia-Herzegovina’s representatives have come to Latvia to win. Smiling, he said that they are 99% sure of their victory at the contest. He also reminded that Bosnia-Herzegovina is still undergoing the consequences of the war. Victory at the ESC would mean a lot to Bosnia – Herzegovina, as it is the best stimulus for the country that has recently experienced war.
When telling about the song, Mia Martina emphasized that it is very energetic, true and about real people. She told that half of the song would be sung in English and the other half – in the original language. It is a pop-style song, as pop and dance music is very popular in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
At the conclusion the performer asked journalists to pay special attention to Bosnia – Herzegovina’s costumes, as they are going to be really extravagant and beautiful.
After the ESC2003 Mia Martina is going to release her solo album.

Rita Guerra (Portugal) press-conference

©Eurovision.tv

Rita Guerra performs as a musician since she was a child. When she was 16, she started to sing in the bars, but at the age of 20 she first performed on the Casino Estoril stage. She was invited to sing there by her employer from the radio station. The same evening she was offered to be a full-time singer at Casino Estoril. Rita tells: “It is the largest casino in Europe. I have been singing there for 15 years. First 12 or 13 years I used to sing there every evening. Later, we decided to take Mondays off.
You can meet Rita at Casino Estoril in the evenings, from 21:30 to 00:15. The rest of the time she is a mom and a wife, as well does other things like dubbing ads and films in Portuguese. “I really enjoy working with cartoons because they have to be done as close to the original as possible,” says Rita Guerra.
Rita is happy to represent Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest. She believes it has come as a result of her own hard work. “I don’t have any certain expectations about certain results at the contest, and I am feeling free. I don’t know who will be the people who will vote, and, anyways, people have so different tastes. I’ll just do everything the best I can” – Rita explains her position.
In Portugal, the ESC has not lost its popularity. Usually the rights to represent the country at the Eurovision were won at the national contest, but this year Portugal chose different approach. J. F. Barbosa asked Rita Guerra to represent the country. He said: “I know Rita for 20 years and have always considered her a great performer.”
The moderator of the press conference from Latvia thanked Portugal for refusing to participate at the ESC last year. This gave Latvia an opportunity to participate at the contest where Latvian performer Marie N became a winner. In response, Portuguese singer kindly smiled.

Сlaudia Beni (Croatia) chat

Сlaudia Beni (Croatia) press-conference

Stelios Constantas (Cyprus) chat

Stelios Constantas (Cyprus) press-conference

Lou (Germany) press-conference

German singer Lou has already got her first impressions of Latvia and Riga and admits that Old Riga is beautiful and the people are friendly. The singer has already managed to buy shoes and is happy with the purchase.
Lou will perform a cheerful song “Let’s get happy”. As she says, this song is just about her life. Happy-go-lucky Lou first participated at the 2001 Eurovision national final, performing a mid-tempo rock song and came in third. Shortly before Christmas 2002, composer Ralph Siegel asked her if she would like to try again. After hearing the song Lou accepted the offer.
Last year in competition of 24 countries Germany came the 20th. Nevertheless, the composer Ralph Siegel is optimistic: “We have to get over it; besides Lou knows how to cheer up the audience. It is not possible to participate at this contest without having any hopes.”
The music for the song Ralph Siegel composed already in October 2002. The lyrics came later. Both of the authors emphasize: “Harmony of the music and lyrics is the most important. And this song has it.”
Bernd adapted the lyrics especially for the Eurovision Song Contest. He says: “Music is international. At Eurovision I feel like in a family.” A song by B. Meinunger was performed also in the Austrian national final and won the second place.

F.L.Y. (Latvia) chat

©Eurovision.tv

F.L.Y. (Latvia) press-conference

The trio says their song “Hello from Mars” has nothing to do with aliens or Star Wars. Lauris Reynix assured: ”It is a happy, enthusiastic song about love, friendship, really about us all.”
The birth of the trio is quite unique, as three independent performers with different musical taste joined together. Jana Key told that Lauris loved pop music. Jana’s favourite is underground, club and dance music. In his turn, Martin Freiman said he mostly enjoyed listening to the radio.
The trio is full of exciting impressions, as last couple of weeks before the Eurovision song contest they have spent on the tour across the Europe – in Belgium, U.K., Poland, Germany and Austria. Martin Freiman told that when they were in Vienna on the EU day, Austrian ambassador introduced them to several politicians, among those with Gunter Verhoigen, who promised to keep fingers crossed for the Latvian group.
When answering the question if Latvia could win two times in a row like Ireland that was the winner of the ESC three times in a row, Martin responded: “Just look at us – aren’t we great?”

Lyor Narkis (Israel) press-conference

The song “Millim Laahava” (“Words of love”) is about love. It is international song, as it is written in French, Italian, Greek and Hebrew.  Lior Narkis is proud to sing in Hebrew, although the last ten years Eurovision’s winning songs had been sung in English.
Lior Narkis hopes to win, as he and his group have worked hard during the last half a year. They are hoping to bring the honour of the winner to their country.
Lior’s friends, family, fans and journalists have come to Latvia to support him at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Beth (Spain) press-conference