Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004

Russia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul, Turkey. The Russian entry was selected internally by the Russian broadcaster Channel One Russia (C1R). Julia Savicheva represented Russia with the song "Believe Me", which placed 11th and scored 67 points at the contest.[1]

Eurovision Song Contest 2004
Country Russia
National selection
Selection processInternal selection
Selection date(s)10 March 2004
Selected entrantJulia Savicheva
Selected song"Believe Me"
Finals performance
Final result11th, 67 points
Russia in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2003 • 2004 • 2005►

Before Eurovision

Internal selection

In early February 2004, C1R began airing television adverts where interested artists and songwriters could submit their proposals during a submission period.[2] A six-member jury panel consisting of Konstantin Ernst (general manager of C1R), Aleksandr Fifeman (general producer of C1R), Marina Danielan (service manager of C1R), Yuriy Aksyuta (music director of C1R), Vladimir Matetsky (composer) and Valeriya (singer) reviewed all the submissions and announced on 10 March 2004 that Julia Savicheva had been selected to represent Russia.[3][4] On 19 March 2004, it was revealed that Savicheva would perform "Believe Me" at the 2004 Contest.[5]

Other artists that sent entries for consideration included Smash!!, Anastasia Stotskaya, Dima Bilan, Reflex and Avraam Russo.[4]

At Eurovision
Julia Savicheva at rehearsal in Istanbul.

For the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, a semi-final round was introduced in order to accommodate the influx of nations that wanted to compete in the contest. Since Russia placed 3rd in the previous contest year, Russia automatically qualified to compete in the final along with the Big Four countries and nine other nations that were also successful in the 2003 Contest. 22 semi-finalists competed for 10 spots in the final, joining Russia among the 14 pre-qualified nations. On 23 March 2004, Russia was drawn to perform 14th in the final on 15 May 2004, following Belgium and preceding a slot allotted for a semi-finalist qualifier, which was ultimately filled by Macedonia.[6]

The Russian performance featured Savicheva performing an athletic routine with four male dancers, choreographed by Kamel Ouali.[7][8] After the voting concluded, Russia scored 67 points and placed 11th. Since Russia was among the top 10 countries, excluding the nations that constitute the Big Four, Russia pre-qualified to compete directly in the final of the 2005 Contest.

C1R chose not to broadcast the semi-final of the competition on 12 May 2004 and therefore, Russia was ineligible to participate in the voting.[9] The final was broadcast on Channel One, with commentary by Yuriy Aksyuta and Elena Batinova.[2] The voting spokesperson for Russia was Yana Churikova.[2]

Points awarded to Russia
Points awarded to Russia[1]
12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points
5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point

Points awarded by Russia

Points awarded by the Russia in the final only:[1]

Final
12 points Ukraine
10 points Serbia and Montenegro
8 points Turkey
7 points Greece
6 points Cyprus
5 points Croatia
4 points France
3 points Sweden
2 points Iceland
1 point United Kingdom

See also

References
  1. "Eurovision Song Contest 2004". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  2. Mikheev, Andy. "Russia 2004". ESCKaz. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  3. Bakker, Sietse (10 March 2004). "Julia Savicheva participates for Russia". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  4. Mikheev, Andy. "Eurovision 2004 Yulia Savicheva". ESCKaz. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  5. Bakker, Sietse (19 March 2004). "Russia: Julia Savicheva's song titled Believe me". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  6. Bakker, Sietse (23 March 2004). "Eurovision 2004: this is the running order!". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  7. Itamar, Barak (9 May 2004). "A very athletic stage act of Russia". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  8. Philips, Roel (9 May 2004). "Kamel Ouali: man behind French and Russian act". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  9. Philips, Roel (5 May 2004). "Walloon Belgians refuse to broadcast qualifier round". ESCToday.com. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
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