The Maltese open letter

As we received it yesterday, we release the letter from Morena right now for every Euro-fans. And we must say: Morena you're simply the best!

Dear Fans,
I am almost finished with my packing, and squeezing clothes into my suitcase – It’s a big suitcase, but I’ve got loads of clothes and shoes to take with me! (Ever told you I own over 120 pairs of shoes?).
I felt I wanted to share these last moments with you. After all, I owe all this to the people of Malta and Gozo. I am here because you wanted me, and now I will do my best to make you proud. This for me has been a dream. Now the six-year-old girl who danced with a broomstick in front of the mirror, can take the stage in Belgrade and make her dream come true!
To all my local and international fans... a heartfelt Thank you! These last few months have been an amazing experience for me, and I owe this to the people around me who strived to help this dream of mine come true! Tomorrow I will set foot on the plane, and I will “fly on the wings of love” to Belgrade, and continue living on this beautiful experience. It is Beautiful…because you have made it beautiful for me; All those lovely messages, and the warmth and love you surrounded me with when I met you on the streets, and when I was over in London at the Eurovision Preview Party.
I look forward to come back to you all and experience some lovely moments together. After all this is Eurovision. It is a feast of universal music, and many colourful nations cheering together under one sky! Right now... This is where I want to be! Right now... I want to feel that love one more time – and I want to transmit so much energy back to you when I am on that stage!
Thank you for the support you have shown...
Thank you for making me your Morena...
Thank you for the enthusiasm and the energy you make me feel when I sing to you.
Above all THANK YOU for sharing this dream with me day by day, by day, by day...
I look forward to see you all in Belgrade... And please, please... Give me your energy and love... and I promise... your VODKA Girl will give you an amazing, and energetic Eurovision experience.
A very warm VODKA hugh... SEE you all... and HEAR you all...!
Let the party begin!!!!
Morenita! xxxx

***

Visto che l'abbiamo ricevuta ieri, pubblichiamo oggi la lettera da Morena per ogni Euro-fan. E dobbiamo dirlo: Morena, sei semplicemente la migliore!

Cari Fan,
Ho quasi finito di preparare il tutto per il viaggio e di schiacciare i vestiti nella mia valigia - E' molto grande, ma ho una marea di vestiti e scarpe da portare con me! (Vi ho mai detto che ho 120 paia di scarpe?).
Ho sentito che avrei voluto condividere questi ultimi momenti con voi. Dopotutto, devo tutto questo alla gente di Malta e Gozo. Sono qui perché mi avete voluto, e ora darò il mio meglio per rendervi orgogliosi. Questo per me è stato un sogno. Oggi la bambina di sei anni che ballava con un manico di scopa davanti allo specchio, può salire sul palco a Belgrado e far diventare vero il suo sogno!
A tutti i miei fan locali e internazionali... un grazie di cuore! Queste pochi ultimi mesi sono stati un'esperienza magnifica per me, e devo questo a tutte le persone intorno a me che si sono sforzate per far diventare questo mio sogno vero!
Domani metterò piede sull'aereo e "volerò sulle ali dell'amore" [questo era un gioco con la canzone degli Olsen Brothers che hanno vinto nel 2000 per la Danimarca] per Belgrado e continuerò a vivere questa bellissima esperienza. E' bellissima perché l'avete fatta diventare bella per me; tutte quei messaggi amorevoli e il calore e l'amore con cui mi avete supportato quando vi ho incontrato nelle strade e quando ero a Londra, al Party d'anteprima Eurovisivo.
Non vedo l'ora di tornare da voi tutti e trascorrere dei momenti deliziosi assieme. Dopotutto, questo è l'Eurovision. E' una festa per la musica universale e molte nazioni colorate avendo dei bei momenti assieme sotto un solo cielo! Ora... questo è dove voglio essere! Voglio sentire l'amore ancora una volta - e voglio trasmettervi ancora tanta energia quando sono sul palco!
Grazie per il supporto che mi avete mostrato...
Grazie per avermi fatto diventare Morena...
Grazie per l'entusiasmo e l'energia mi avete fatto provare quando ho cantato per voi.
SOprattutto GRAZIE per aver condiviso questo sogno con me giorno dopo giorno, dopo giorno, dopo giorno... Non vedo l'ora di vedervi a Belgrado... e per favore, per faveore... datemi la vostra energia e amore e promesso... la vostra VODKA girl vi darà una magnifica e energica esperienza Eurovisiva.
Un grande Vodka abbraccio... ci vediamo... e sentiamo!
Che la festa inizi!!!!
Morenita! xxxx

The Shady Interview

We did it! We have finally interviewed our Shady Lady!
Ani Lorak is one of our favourite singer from these Eurovision Song Contest: she is really pretty, she is sensual and she is the new face of the european campaign against AIDS.
So her songs becomes a more important entry for the whole audience, not only because it is a really cool song, but even because its message is really strong.
At the age of 14, Ani signed her first contract and, years later, she has been awarded with the title of the Honoured Artist of Ukraine, having become the youngest singer ever to get this rank. As we see in the video of "Shady Lady", Ani is a marvellous actress and she also acted as a professionist in some musicals and dubbed some films.
Overall, she has written three books and she owns a restaurant in Kyiv; she has partecipated in many important campaigns. Let's join our chat with her!

If you could describe in few words "Shady Lady", what will you say?
It’s a very positive song that gives you a burst of energy. Shady Lady is image of a strong, independent woman. Shady Lady sets on fire everybody who she meets on her way, she inspires heroes and leaves an unforgettable impression in the hearts of her admirers. At the same time she uses her power to change this world to a better place, does charity work and takes care of those deprived and dispossessed.

Do you feel that Verka's performance and image of last year will influence the voting of this year?
Of course her performance last year contributed to the image of Ukraine at Eurovision Song Contest. And I will be very happy to add to it as well. But I don’t see Eurovision as a sports competition. My main goal is to make people enjoy the show and to imbue them with positive emotions. I think it’s more important that the audience hears my backstage message which is AIDS is not transmitted through friendship. If I feel that my efforts in the field of fighting stigma and discrimination to HIV-positive people influence public opinion this will matter more to me than voting results.

From whose singers do you find inspiration? Has Madonna any influence on the intro of Shady Lady?
I do usually sing in pop-rock style and disco-pop is something new to me. As you know Shady Lady was a present from the prominent Russian singer Philip Kirkorov who is a composer of this wonderful song. Of course, I wouldn’t deny that Madonna’s image is very much about Shady Lady. Also Cleopatra, Evita Peron, Mata Hari, Marilyn Monroe, Edith Piaf are among those who are called Shady Ladies. They all have had an incredible impact on our world and the way we live today.

Who will be on stage with you?
Let it be a small secret. I would like to surprise the European audience with my performance. One thing you can be sure of is that it’s going to be something incredible!

Was Shady Lady your favorite song from the Ukrainian selection?
Yes, I loved it from the very first time when I heard it. Another song which I liked very much was A Dream of Brighter Day. I dedicated that song to promoting international support and action on behalf of the victims of the humanitarian crisis in Darfur which is the Western Region of Sudan. I presented this song to the international organization Justice Africa and now it’s being distributed in the refugee camps in Darfur. But, of course, I respect the choice of my Ukrainian fans and will be singing Shady Lady at Eurovision.

What kind of character will you show on stage?
It will be a woman who rules the world. She will be passionate, seductive and glamorous!

Will your Shady Lady be sensual enough to fascinate all the European audience?
Sensuality is an inseparable trait of every Shady Lady. But I hope that European audience first of all hears my voice into the support of people who live with HIV/AIDS. I think the most important thing is to cultivate tolerance in society, to develop a social cause using Shady Lady’s magnetism.

Where has the video of Shady Lady been filmed? And how many days have you been on the set?
The video was filmed in Kiev, Ukraine, by the young and very talented video director Katya Tsaryk. I think she did a great job. Working with her was very easy and cool. As women we understood each other perfectly.

As like as in Tina Karol's song, you have a marvelous high note at the end of the song. Is it hard to sing it live? Do you think it will display the greatness of your voice?
I think the whole song is a very good choice to show vocal potential. And I do love this last high note. I like the way it ends the song in a very good way! For me it is not hard to sing at all. I thank God every day for the gift He gave me. That is why I know that such present has to be used for some good cause.

Have you already listened to this year's song? Which will be the hardest to beat?
I did hear some of the songs. But I don’t see other performers as my opponents and rivals. We are all coming to Eurovision to enjoy the time and to have fun. I wish luck to everybody, because I respect the choice of every nation who sends their favorite singer to represent their country at such a great event. I am sure that every song will be very unique and pretty as every nation in a multicultural Europe.

Last year, the song that represented the fight against AIDS was the Austrian one and it didn't do well. Do you think they have preferred yours as one of the most strong songs from this year?
I think more important was that the Austrian entry brought this topic to Eurovision and that the audience understood the message delivered by that performer. This is what matters the most.

Will you bring the AIDS-fight symbol on the stage with you?
As I said before I want to keep a secret about my performance but I can say that my promo materials will have a “red ribbon” symbol on them.

Do you think that Eurovision Song Contest launches important messages for safe sex because it's sometimes referred as a gay-show?
Of course, not! Safe sex should be a care of every couple. It’s about our health and health of our kids. Europe needs strong, healthy nations!

In the last years, Russia and Ukraine were the runner-ups. Do you think there is a same competition with your neighbor?
It’s not the first time I hear this question. But I don’t see Dima Bilan as my competitor simply because I don’t see music as sports. Plus his song is so different from mine that they cannot be compared. Recently I visited Moscow and met with Dima. We made really good friends and wished luck to each other at the contest.

You have worked with Philip Kirkorov, how was it to work with the most important songwriter in the Eastern Europe?
Of course, I feel honored to have Philip as a composer of my song. He is very professional in what he does and I am sure that our tandem will be a pure success in any sense! He helps a lot and sincerely supports me before Eurovision.

Did you see the video of "Ken Lee" where a bulgarian girl (Valentina Hasan) sang a "newer version" of "without you" of Mariah Carey at the selection of the Bulgarian Idol in front of a Shocked Philip Kirkorov? Did he tell you anything about it?
Honestly I don’t have much time lately. I’ve been on the European tour which ended just two days before I leave for Serbia. I will definitely ask Philip about this and will be able to comment later on. We’ve just been so busy this month 

Do you think that Belgrade is a "safe place" for the ESC?
Definitely. I am sure that organizers have done a great job to host the show and it will go very well. I am sure that God protects us because we are going there for a great cause!

Have you ever visited Italy? If yes, what did you like most?
Recently I flew to Florence to meet with the famous designer Roberto Cavalli who is making a dress for my performance. During this last visit I finally had enough time to enjoy the atmosphere of Italy. I visited the historical part of the city and absolutely loved all the cathedrals and other historical buildings. I was particularly impressed by Santa Maria del Fiore.

Would you like to say something to your fans (especially) from Italy and all over Europe
Watch Eurovision and enjoy the show! I sing for every one of you. You, just like the music, are my life!

Thank you Ani for the interview! You're such a great person and we love you! Also, thanks to Mrs. Skomorohova for her help

The secret Code! (Interview)

Here we go again! We have another exclusive interview from the magnificent MORENA from Malta.
We hope you'll love this interview, beacause we did!
GO MALTA!

1) First of all: your surname is Camilleri, is it related to the famous italian writer? And your second surname - as we read on wikipedia - Fenech? Like the Actress?
Camilleri derives from Italy, and who knows ... maybe I am somehow related to the famous writer! But it is also very common in Malta! As for "the actress" you refer to... it is true, we share the same surname but as far as I know we are not related either!

2) How is it life in Malta?
Life in Malta is a big holiday! 365 days! I love it here. We got the blue skies, the blue seas, the sun, and we are surrounded by culture that dates back to 4000 BC. Distances are short, so you can achieve a lot in just one day! Most Maltese have a laid back attitude and are very friendly. E... parliamo anche l'italiano! :) [italian for and we even speak italian]

3) How good do you think is for Malta joining the Eurovision Song Contest? Does it brings more tourism and makes you better known to the eyes of Europe?
I think the Eurovision song contest is good for every country because it is a feast that celebrated international music and diverse cultures. ALL together under one sky! A lot of people know Malta from the Eurovision song contest, so I think it could have an effect on tourism too!

4) Do you think that if Malta had more neighbour-countries it would have more points in the contest?
YES!

5) Which were your favourite songs in Malta Song For Europe 08?
Apart from mine of course! Mmmm.... I liked "sunrise" of Claudia Faniello, "Throw your stones" of Daneila Vella, and "Superhero" by Klinsmann.

6) Do you think it has been a risk having two songs in the contest Have you ever feard the votes-splitting?
Yes, I think it was a risk! And yes, I did fear the votes splitting. However, from the feedback I got in those two days, it seemed that more people were opting for VODKA as opposed to Casanova!

7) Vodka has a word in russian and talks about a spy in Moscow, do you think it will give you more points from the slavic states?
No, not at all. I think people will vote for it only if they like it. I do not believe because there are some russian words they would necessarily vote for something.

8) Are you going to have a dance routine besides the wiggling around the stage?
There will be a dance routine, but I really prefer to concentrate on singing!

9) Did Mr. Borg write this song for you? Or have you found it already written?
"Mr Borg" as you call him .... wrote this for me! I met Gerard about a year and a half a go, and he liked me and my style very much. We were working on a project and VODKA was part of that project. When it was finished, and we all heard it we decided that this will go to Eurovision!

10) You're singing "vodka is the secret code", will you also do a campain against alcol abusement?
I have said many times that VODKA is not about alcohol. The author wanted to find a "code word" to fit the spy story, and thought that VODKA was a catchy word to use. I think that anything used in access - not only alcohol - is bad. People should do everything with moderation.

11) Do you think you'll get loads of points waving your hair? Because if we could, we'd voted you.
Once you tell me that... then I am going to make sure to shake my hair! I will do what I call : "The VODKA hair-shake"!!!!! Many fans seem to like it... so I will do it! Promise!

12) Can you send us Claudia Faniello's painting? It was amazing..
I would if I could.... I will call Claudia and see if it is still available!!!!! Maybe it has been sold already!

13) Do you inspire to any other singer? International or National.
I love Tina Turner, and Beyonce. However, at the end of the day - Morena is who I am!

14) Last year's russian entry seemed a group of spies, will you try to steal some details from Serebro?
Oh! where they really spies? No, no... I will be a different spies.... For Eurovision Eyes Only!

15) Do you think that medias have been heavy on critizing Fabrizio Faniello and his last position? And why they did not try to destroy Olivia Lewis?
The media can be really funny sometimes! They can love you, they can hate you all at once! I see it happen to so many international artists. Sometimes, it is just a person who has an agenda and wants to bring somebody down by what he/she writes! I believe that no matter what... each artist has a high and a low.... but after the low... another high comes along! The world goes round....

16) What do you think of joke-entries like Spain and Ireland?
I think that Eurovision is a big mix of everything. So I have nothing against joke or serious entries. This is why this contest is such big fun. Because you never know what the people out there are in the mood for! One year they might eb in for a "joke".. the next year.. something "serious..." something "wild"... or something "fun"... or something "dramatic!"

17) Do you have a favourite song from this year contest? And overall?
I have some favourites, but sometimes you just can't tell. so I will wait until I see the rehearsals before revealing them! That is where one has clear idea of what will REALLY happen. The rest, I think, are all based on assumptions. :)

18) Do you think there will be an Italian return? Are you hoping for it?
Eventually yes. Why not! Maybe Malta finally gets a neighbour!

19) Have you ever visited our country? What did you like best?
Not yet... but I intend to come over! My friends have been and said that Italy has seven wonders:
FOOD. BUILDINGS. FASHION. MUSIC. LANDSCAPES. HISTORY. MEN.

20) What will you do after Eurovision?
Right now.... the first thing that comes to mind.... IS A HOLIDAY IN THE MALDIVES! But unfortunately, in July, I have another project waiting!!!!
Thank you for your time!
Thanks for the interview, and I look forward to seeing you in Italia one day!
Vodka kisses
Morena xxx



Thank you Morena! We just ADORE YOU!

We are wolves of the sea! (Interview)

Do you remember the 1st of March when I put up with Sanremo and Erika was doing a tour of the national finals? Well, at the news of the latvian choice we were jumping all around joyfully and we cheated on Sweden for two weeks. So, our second favourite answered our answers in an exclusive interview which makes us flying the latvian flag along with the Jolly Roger!

We are sorry for the translation, for any suggest use the e-mail at your right

1) The Bonaparti.lv project, after the great success obtained at the ESC, seems to be wrecked (remaining in a pirates-theme): what happend between you guys?
Everyone with its commitments, which didn't get along; however sometime we get together again for the big events and we dust again the beautiful "Questa Notte" :)

2) Do you think that the good results at the ESC 2007 it's also because of the italian language, besides the song? Because the people of ESC seems to go crazy for our language!
I think it has helped a lot the fact it was in italian, but also the melody and the arrangement of the song. Maybe we could improve the pronounciation...

3) Yours is one of the visual-performances best organized between all the songs chosen for the ESC 2008, will you do some changes?
We'll do little changes in the choreography and in the costumes and we changed a chorist. But we will be forever pirates :)

4) Was it hard to learn the dance-routine? We knot each time we try to do it!
I do like dance, I did some school of dance time ago, but always in a low level and last year I had the opportunity of partecipate to the latvian version of "Dancing with the stars", I was dancing with the beautiful champion of Latvia and I de-knotted with her. Now I de-knot with the winner of the programme, the beautiful brunette Aleksandra Kurusova :)

5) Will the single of "Wolves of the sea" get out? There will be any video?
The single got out as a promo in Sweden, in Latvia will get out the 9th of May with our new single: a marvellous ukrainan popular song that I've translated in englsh.

6) There will be another version of the song in another language?
No, it will be in english, but I can think of a great version in sardinian with the Bitti's chorus :) [a popular chorus from Sardinia]

7) How did you arrive in Latvia from Ardara [his hometown in Sardinia]?
I won a scolarship "Socrates" after graduating in Foreing Languages at Sassari. After winning I choosed to go to Latvia in airplane :)

8) Did your mother ever try to stop you and keep you with your feet on the island, rather than go to the continet?
I'm the youngest between five children and my mother is a tipical marvellous sardinian mother; I remember that, when I told her "Mum, I won a scolarship for Latvia", she stared at me and aske me "What kind of subject is?" :)

9) Are your parents in Sardinia interested in your successes at the ESC or do they have to give up thanks to RAI?
My parents and my home-town follow my results in general and last year they put up a giant monitor in the square of Ardara, just to follow the final! Everything on the romanian channel... my sister Rosa was "translating" :) It has been a party!

10) Did the italian press contact you for questions/interviews/anything else? Last year the paper "La nuova Sardegna" [A sardinian newspaper] published an article, but we think it had found all the news on the net.
They contacted me a lot. Also this year I've appeared on "La nuova Sardegna", few months ago. Sometimes I appear also on Videolina [A sardinian television channel] and on "L'unione sarda" [Another sardinian newspaper], but right now my space it's filled by Marco Carta, the winner of Amici [Italian rubbish version of Idol]...

11) If Italy comes back at the ESC, will you feel proud of having partecipated at the come-back?
Indeed! Besides I have a record really funny: I'm the only Italian with Domenico Modugno that partecipated two times in a row at the contest!

12) You have been interviewed by Festa Italiana [An italian programme about towns' particular feast] in a time not really good for audience, the article about Paolo Meneguzzi at the ESC has been broadcast a morning when nobody could have been watching, do you think that RAI is trying to do information shadowing it?
Mah, my mother has been filled of telephone calls after that episode... her tears had stolen the scene even to my partecipation at the ESC :) I don't know what RAI does, in all Europe everybody does a lot of information on this event.

13) Last Sanremo had few audience, first of all: did you get to see it, from Latvia? What do you think is the matter?
I've seen it in parts, I did not resist after two songs in a row! Anonymous songs a part from a few exception, really boring and really far from what people now listen to. It's an event that must be remodernized from the start.

14) Will you ever try to partecipate in Sanremo? Maybe publicizing the experience of the ESC.
Last year I've written the lyrics for a song that entered in the first 40 in the new acts. Yes, I'd partecipate, but with a beautiful song, not with a classical ballad for old people...

15) After knowing that in Somalia's sea there has been Pirates acts, what did you think? (Sorry, we couldn't resist!)
We have been interviewed even on this fact, they say that on the ship of the pirates a four Moors flag was flying ;) [the flag of Sardinia]

Thank you Roberto and Good Luck!
Thanks to Chiara that made this interview possible