Eurovision Song Contest 2004 Istanbul Under the Same Sky
The Eurovision Song Contest 2004, was the 49th Contest and it was held in the Abdi İpekçi Arena in Istanbul, Turkey. This was the first occasion in which the contest was held in Turkey after they had won the competition in 2003 with Sertab Erener singing "Everyway That I Can". The hosting national broadcaster of the contest was Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT).
Ukrainian singer Ruslana Lyzhychko won the contest with "Wild Dances". It is notable that this was only Ukraine's second participation in the contest.
HOSTS
The contest was held in Istanbul following Turkey's victory in the 2003 contest in Riga, Latvia with Sertab Erener's "Everyway That I Can". Originally the Mydonose Showland was chosen by TRT to host the event, but was changed to the Abdi İpekçi Arena as the contest approached due to its bigger capacity.
The hosts of the Eurovision Song Contest were Korhan Abay and Meltem Cumbul. In the semi-final and the final, Meltem Cumbul warmed up the audience with a sing-a-long of Eurovision classic "Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare)", originally by Domenico Modugno. Sertab Erener returned to the stage in the final to perform "Everyway That I Can", the 2003 winning song, and one of her new songs called "Leave". Sertab also interviewed contestants in the green room. The Turkish dance ensemble Fire of Anatolia performed as the interval act. An official CD was released and, for the first time, the entire contest was released on DVD which included the Semi-Final and the Grand Final.
FIRSTS
The contest's new official generic logo was used for the first time this year, with the heart-shaped flag in the centre due to be changed for future contests. The slogan for Istanbul's contest was "Under The Same Sky", which communicated the importance of a united Europe and Turkish integration.
This year was also notable as it was the first year that Turkey voted for Cyprus and the second year in a row that Cyprus voted for Turkey. Nevertheless, in a move that angered some Cypriots, when the country presented its votes no map of the island was shown (all other presenters were preceded with their country being highlighted on a map). This was due to Turkey's recognition of the northern half of the island as an independent republic (not recognised by any other state). It is likely Turkey pulled out of showing the map because it would have only highlighted the southern portion of the island, and thus angered the international community.
This was also the first year that the scores were only re-read by the hosts in one language. Before 2004 every point was repeated in French and English, but due to 36 countries voting, and more in years to come, in 2004 to save time the hosts only re-read each score in one language. This was in the opposite of the original country representative spoke in.
Also, this year was the first time in which a non-winning entry scored over 200 points. Prior to this contest, only Rock 'n' Roll Kids and Love Shine a Light, the winners on 1994 and 1997 had passed this mark. On this contest, all songs in the top 3 got over 200 points.
Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti ile "Konstantinapolis" Gerginliği
Yarışmanın provaları sırasında Lefkoşa'nın güneyinden canlı olarak bağlanılan Kıbrıslı Rum puan sunucusu ile İstanbul'daki yarışma sunucusu Korhan Abay arasında geçen diyalog, kısa süreli de olsa bir gerginlik yaşanmasına neden olmuştur:
K.Abay: - Now we're connecting to Nicosia... Kalimera Nicosia! (Şimdi Lefkoşa'ya bağlanıyoruz. Merhaba Lefkoşa!)
Rum sunucu: - Hello Constantinople! (Merhaba Konstantinapolis!)
K.Abay: - (kısa bir duraklamadan sonra gülerek) Sorry but this city is named as İstanbul since 1453... (Özür dilerim ama, bu şehir, 1453'ten beri İstanbul olarak anılıyor.)
Rum sunucu: - Hello Constantinople! (Merhaba Konstantinapolis!)
K.Abay: - Hello Southern Cyprus! (Merhaba Güney Kıbrıs!)
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Eurovision 2004 Voting - All Points to Turkey !by TheTurkishboy902,334 views
10. i from spain, but i don't like.. cheap song.
9. funny
8. i hate this song..
7. OK..
6. beautiful song!
5. FANTASTIC!
4. horrible song..
3. i love it! GREAT
2. beautiful
1. great song
lydiaaification 14 hours ago
I'm from Albania and the best song for me is the song of Anjeza Shahini - The image of you .
The 7 place is the best place that we got in the history of the Eurovision .
Anxheloboy 1 month ago
I don't like Sweden and Cyprys so OverRated songs.I love Ukraine,Turkey and Albania songs.
EurovisionHd09 9 months ago
It was probably the best contest that year... i still remember the top 4, although I didn't want Ruslana to win :PPP If Serbia, Greece or Turkey would have won i would be much happier:) Great songs !!!
MsSevdacicegi 11 months ago