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HOD talks to esctoday.com
"Winning Eurovision is not impossible, but its very difficult"
In this interview José Poiares talks about the Portuguese participation in Belgrade, the impacts of this year's results, the first time Portugal got into final and RTP’s plans to Moscow.
From the Eurovision experience in 2008 what positive aspects can be taken in consideration for the 2009 ESC participation?
"This year's participation in Belgrade was quite stimulating foreveryone involved - RTP, the composer, music producer and the artists involved. In the last few years we have revamped the Festival da Canção with new music producers, trying to diversify and innovate the contest with different styles of music. In Belgrade, we had the combination of a great performer and excellent music production led by Carlos Coelho. The Portuguese people gave us full credit and we did our best like in previous years but we went further this time."
All the optimism and hope that Senhora do Mar generated among fans and journalists was quite a “phenomenon”. Did you ever imagine Portugal could win and organise the Eurovision Song Contest?
"The last few years we felt a special feeling of affection from the fans and journalists towards our songs, but this year the reactions and expectations were higher than ever. Even so, I did not think we could win this event for the simple reason we were competing with the best songs in Europe. Winning is not impossible, but it’s very difficult. Besides having a strong competition we also have the voting system that has not been very "nice’’ for the countries in the West for the reasons we all know".
How have you been observing voting evolution in the last few years when many countries have good results constantly due to the system? Do you consider that there has been a great deal of voting imbalance?
"I think that the geographical proximity has some influence in the voting, but this “attraction” for the neighbours comes from the past. What happens is that these countries are numerous and imbalance the voting".
What do you think about having a jury in the new voting system of the final?
"I think it is an excellent measure and it will assure that the songs have more quality to them".
What were the suggestions given by RTP in the questionnaire sent by the EBU?
"As I said before, I am favourable to a mixed voting with a jury and televoting. Our suggestions were in that direction, though I don’t understand why there isn’t a full mix voting in the semifinals".
How important is it for RTP to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest? What is the main purpose in taking part in this event?
"The Eurovision Song Contest is a great event in the European television calendar and RTP thinks it is very important. Our main concern is that the participating song represents Portugal with dignity. But we also take part to win as any of the other contestants. We have tried many different ways of selecting the songs that represented us very well. I don’t think there is a magic formula to lead us to victory - or is there? - and we don’t know it yet."
The reaction of the Portuguese people was very positive. RTP had good viewing figures in the semifinal and final. Do you consider we can use this positive reaction and generate a renewed interest for Eurovision with the Portuguese people?
"I think that the Portuguese are always hoping and anxious for a good result in all areas and ould love to see Portugal come out as a winner. It is logical and natural. When it comes to the Eurovision Song Contest it is clear that we would like to see Portugal winning, but we haven’t been so far."
What ideas does RTP have for the 2009 Festival da Canção. Will you open the song selection to unknown or amateur artists?
"Currently we are working on the last details for the 2009 Festival da Canção and it is not certain if we will open the selection to everybody who wants to take part. We want to open up more and be more active in the choices of the participants. The procedure is yet to be defined for 2009. We will have more news at the end of October. The list of participants may include producers who took part in past editions."
Esctoday would like to thank Mr José Poiares for this interview.
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Go directly to the reactions
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the true is that after 44 years of participating all europe still ignore portugal and their songs... and we see it this year... vania has a great voice a great performance and a great song and we only get the 13th place so the best we can ask for is the final and yet it is dificult... so im happy if we send amazing songs and still dont win because at least we can say that we send a goo and powerfull song with a powerfull meaning and full of passion that stay on 13th place... everyone will remember that in 2008 portugal send such a great music and reach the 13th place and also everyone will remember that russia sent a a good song and win but it really didnt deserved it... so go portugal send such greats songs as this year and we will be proud even if we stay at the bottom... we will not give up and we will try abtry till we get it!
We all know that Portugal never won nor ever been on top 5 ... Europe ignored Portugal even when Eastern countries weren't part of eurovision, so its more dificult to some countries to win than others as its also true that its easier to some countries to be top 10 than others ...
Its ignorant to think Portugal never won nor ever been on top 5 because they never sent a good song in so many years partecipating ...
I truely belive that Portugal will never win eurovision and that we can only hope to pass to the finals ... but the great think about portuguese is that we can be sad but we don't give up ... Who knows if there is a magic year for portugal ... i myself like to think that there is one ...
So Portugal will be in Moscow 2009 with a new song, probably with just a nice song but certainly with a song representative of portugal and with a singer very proud to represent his/her country ...
So gooo Portugal we can be losers but at least we have our head high lololol
though not a fan of portuguese esc entries, especially last year, the song last year was definitely one of their bests ever, and definitely a fresh air to esc.. more more more, go go go portugal
If the voting system is always the same, yes for some countries it's impossible to win eurovision...sorry, galantis.athens
Chris P
lmao I just realised I spelled his name wrong again! 
For the last time, Hinz und Kunz!! lol 
I agree with you when you say the song didn't have the killed hook
Except for me! The Portuguese song this year didn't really do it for me, it was perhaps technically well executed (she has a fantastic voice) but the song just seemed overly-dramatic and didn't have the "killer hook" for my mind. Portuguese songs don't often feature highly on my playlists, but some of the ones I have liked were from 1996, 2003, 1999 and 1984. Not that I think any of these should have won. I think Portugal sends good singers with pleasant songs...but have not really sent any songs that make people sit up and take notice.
You're getting closer Jonny! :-P ...and no, I don't think anyone cares whether you talk about gerbils or Swedish national finals...I think everyone has said everything there is to be said about the portugese entrant for now.
Sorry, in my last post I said "Hind und Kunz", I meant to type "Hunz und Kunz", as your name is 
Stockholm
Ahh thats good news
Hind und Kunz
Well to be honest, does it really matter? Nobody else is commenting on the Portugese story anymore and we're not doing any harm by talking about something different. We're not saying anything offensive or rude so I really don't see the problem. I'm sure you've got involved in off-topic convos before, it happens all the time.
I really dont' understand why it gets on peoples nerves so much!! 
Is this now a forum about Portugal or about the quetions who is gonna participate in swedish MF?
Jonny
Caroline (Tror på dig) wrote a song for MF 2009 and she will probably sing it
Stockholm
There are definitely similarities in the songs, i'm not sure if its enough to be a plagiarism, but theres something there anyhow As for the song, I have to admit i'm not really a fan 
Although of the Swedish language songs of 07 and 08, I lke to listn to "under mitt tunna skinn" alot, "Tror På Dig" and "god morgon"
Jonny
Compare these two songs (first 24 secs):
För många ord om kärlek http://www.youtube.c(...)/watch?v=iJJZKKg5BT4
You're no good http://www.youtube.c(...)/watch?v=HPSAz3a7nuU
Jonny
Yes What did you think of Niklas Strömstedt's "För många ord om kärlek" ? I liked it. Did you know that Niklas wrote the Swedish 1992 entry "I morgon är en annan dag" for Christer Björkman
http://www.youtube.c(...)/watch?v=8UCwTZSa_C8
Stockholm
Whoa G Son is everywhere! Although he has written some good songs, e.g. "thinking thinking" by Anael
Jonny
lol. Yes, esctoday had an article about D'Nash and "Amanda". You see, Swedish Thomas Gson wrote "I love you mi vida" as well as "Amanda"
**Correction: I'm not sure why but in my last sentence I said "for some reason" twice, completely pointlessly! 
Stockholm
Aaah its funny you should mention Lasse Lindh because i've started listening to "Du behöver aldrig mer vara rädd" recently, especially seeing as it comes after "love in stereo" in my music player
Also i've been listening to "Amanda" from MF 2007 alot recently, although "when the night comes falling" is still my most played from 07 by far. Do you know D'Nash covered "Amanda", although the Jimmy Jansson version is far better http://uk.youtube.co(...)/watch?v=bxs4hXI6dog (for some reason their video clip features tonnes of pictures of London for some reason! )
Jonny
"That's love" was one of my favourite MF songs too.
I also liked Lasse Lindh but maybe you have to understand Swedish to appreciate it. I've ordered one of his CDs. I watched him in concert last summer and he was great. I hope he's got a really good song in MF 2009
Stockholm
lol, baby gerbils look so funny cause they have huge eyes comparitive to the rest of their body In fact we saw this gerbil in the pet shop which was small and really round, it looked a bit like a potato!
Btw amazing discovery, well not that amazing, but "hur svart kan det va" isn't my most played song from MF anymore! Its "thats love"
Jonny
lol. Yeah, they had 12 babies and they were so tiny
"Vergeet-mij-liedje" is very good but not as good as "Shut up" imo.
I think everyone can WIN! I hope the new voting system change! And I think the western countries should not complain! all the others which votes are the same every yearmust question themselves. We are good players!
And please... Portugal BELIEVE - you will do it sooner or later!!
And when it happens, i'm sure "some" fans will say gorgeous thing about the portuguese artists - just as it happens every year.
Cheers
Stockholm
lmao!! 14 Gerbils! Thats partly why I bougth 2 of the same sex, they're great but 14 is just a gerbil over-dose!
Wow 20 times in one day is alot Recently i've been really into listening to "Vergeet Mij Liedje" from the Belgian JESC selection this year, its now my 6th most played song and imo its as good as "shut up" http://uk.youtube.co(...)/watch?v=9Q63G4dUGQs
I used to have Chinchillars(not sure if spelt Right)
Jonny
It's OK, I was out too I also prefer the NF version, it's the one I have in my Media player. I think I listened to it 20 times yesterday I watched the Greek NF but I preferred "Always and forever" to the rest.
(Also out of topic - a friend of mine bought two gerbils, apparently a male and a female, because now she has 14 gerbils )
Btw I forgot to add, I prefer the NF version Although I prefer "a chance to love" from the Greek NF to "always and forever" though, but all 3 songs were good
(sorry it took me so long to respond, I was out all day )
Stockholm
Aaah I like "always and forever" but I didn't like the performance and I just prefer "secret combination" as a song (Secret Combination is my 14th most played song )
And I think I prefer Oliver's "shut up" lol
Btw which version of "always and forever" do you prefer, the original or the more dance version (the one he performed at the NF)
Original http://uk.youtube.co(...)/watch?v=-kQ93atFYsE
NF version http://uk.youtube.co(...)/watch?v=c4sbgrr69L4
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