Eurovision triumph for Russia
Published 26 May, 2008, 02:07
For the first time in its history, the Eurovision song contest has been won by Russia. Dima Bilan, with help from a master violinist and an Olympic skating champion, took the prize. It means that Moscow will host next year’s event.
Bilan received a hero's welcome at home, with hundreds of fans and dozens of journalists coming to meet him at Moscow’s Sheremetevo airport on Sunday night.
The 26-year-old received 272 points from the text and phone votes, beating Ukraine and Greece. The win made up for his 2006 defeat in Athens.
It wasn’t just Bilan's voice, which helped Russia to the trophy. His show grabbed attention with its grandeur. A Stradivarius violin mastered by virtuoso Edvin Marton and Olympics figure skating champion Evgeni Plushenko assisted Bilan's performance.
The last time Evgeny Plushenko played a similar role was in Guatemala, where he supported Russia’s bid to host the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Russia’s new President Dmitry Medvedev was among those who congratulated Dima by phone.
The singer said he was deeply touched and promises to bring home more trophies.
Bilan’s about to record two new albums – in English and in Spanish to continue his western invasion.
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