Eurovision 2012: Solution to Azerbaijan's Problems?

When Azerbaijan won Eurovision 2012, I listened to Ell and Nikki's "Running Scared" for weeks. I'm happy for Azerbaijan, especially because of how happy my students are. However, today I read a brief article about Eurovision 2012 and its arrival in Baku and thought perhaps it was reaching a bit (quite a bit).

The site mentions the "inevitability" of international attention and focus on "corruption, human rights and free speech in the country" and the attention it will bring to the conflict to the east. I don't want to be extremely skeptical here, but the idea that a song contest can bring international attention to the problems Azerbaijan is facing seems a bit, well, far-fetched.

In my opinion, people who attend Eurovision are seeking travel and entertainment. I don't think their concentration is on the various political and cultural issues the country is facing. I think the talk about Azerbaijan pre-Eurovision, has been "how it will bring attention to Azerbaijan's problems" but has yet to do so. Further, I think the post-Eurovision critiques will be about food, accommodations and the event itself, not about various human rights violations.

Ultimately, I think people can be a little self-centered and the focus is going to be primarily about what they experienced personally. After people have made their observations, they will then return to life in their various countries and things will proceed as usual.

To read a local perspective on this upcoming event, read Arzu Geybulla's blog post: Eurovision 2012 in Azerbaijan, Triumph or Trap?