Turkey!

Sertab Erener, representing Turkey with the song Every way that I can, won the 48th Contest beating Belgium and Russia in a close run-up.

Saturday night's winner was chosen by a European audience, using televoting. Only 2 countries out of 26 (Russia and Bosnia & Herzegovina) used a jury since they did not have the required 80% telecommunications coverage needed for televoting.

“Winning the contest means a lot to me. It’s great because Turkey has been in the contest for 20 years without ever winning. Now we have!” said Sertab Erener who sang to a rafter-shaking audience of 6,000 at Skonto Olympic Hall, one of Latvia's most modern sports and entertainment complexes.

The event was transmitted live by 42 broadcasters over the Eurovision network reaching over 100 million viewers across Europe and beyond in territories as far afield as Australia.

Rendezvous next year in Turkey for the 2004 Contest and its new format.

 

 

 

The magical planet

Participants from 26 EBU Member countries performed on an enormous stage that represented “Planet Latvia”, set in a star-studded universe.

“The Contest is a magical moment and the stage was like a magic planet, unknown and waiting to be discovered,” said Brigita Rozenbrika, executive producer, ESC 2003.

State-of-the-art light effects, colour combinations and special video graphics created different atmospheres for each performance.

Numerous arches rose up from the ground encircling the oval stage like a ring of light. To enhance the outer space effect, virtual planets (projected on video screens controlled by a cyber hoist system) floated over the stage providing extraordinary lighting.

 

	Stage: facts and figures
	• • • • •	35 meters long and 12 meters high over 1,200 m2 of floor space 10 tonnes of metal 2,000 m2 of silver light-reflecting cloth more than 150 people from 10 countries were involved in its construction

 

For more: www.eurovision.tv

© EBU 2003
Latest update 26/05/2003 - pj / ep