Poli Genova to represent Bulgaria in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest

Wednesday night, the Bulgarian national final was decided. The show was webcast at Eurovision.tv and televised by the national broadcaster BNT live from Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture – the greatest multifunctional complex in Sofia.

When all the 19 competing songs was performed in the final, Poli Genova came out on top in the audience's hearts. The voting was decided by the viewers and a jury combined, and Poli Genova won both the viewer and the jury voting. The song that gave her the Bulgarian ticket to the Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf is called Na Inat.

Moved Beyoncé to tears

Poli Genova rose to fame as member of the group BonBon, which would later represent Bulgaria at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest.

For the 2009 Bulgarian national final, Poli received a wildcard with the song One Lifetime Is Not Enough. Eventually she finished second in the final after landslide-winner Krassimir Avramov, singing Illusion.

Before the 2009 Bulgarian final, Beyoncé by coincidence heard Poli's One Lifetime Is Not Enough. The American singer couldn't hold back her tears when listening to the song, according to Bulgarian news portal News.bg.

Romanian guests

The jury consisted of a specifically formed Academy, with the famous Bulgarian composer Stefan Dimitrov as the chairman. The Academy consisted of representatives from professions such as composers, poets, producers, performers, music educators, media, advertising agencies and other professional organisations. They posted their votes already during the Dress Rehearsal on Tuesday night.

The show from Sofia featured special guest performances by the bands Dirty Purches, Tri O Five – and Hotel FM, the Romanian representatives in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest.

For the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, one of the most successful Bulgarian artists, Miro, was chosen as the Bulgarian representative. He delivered an intense angel-themed dance show in up-tempo with the entry Angel Si Ti, but didn't manage to qualify from the Semi-Final.

Poli Genova will perform for Bulgaria in the second half of the second semi-final of the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest, on the 12th of May.

The line-up

Here is the full line-up from the Bulgarian national final tonight, winner in bold:

• 032 – On Air
• Poli Genova – Na Inat
• Bohan Mihajlov – Nestinari
• D2 – Glorious Twist
• Lazar Kisiov – Zamestitel
• Vlado Dimov – Sjanka
• Svetelina Chendova – Luxury Hotel
• Rut Koleva – Fever
• Uikeda – Blue Cotton Levi's
• Milena Slavova – Fire In My hair
• Mona – Teen Life
• Simona Sivanio & Sprint – The New Earth
• 5-te Sezona – Take My Hand
• Emilka Valenti – Plenjavash Me
• Jerihon – Smile
• Stanny Brown ft. Naso – I Know
• Elmira Kostova – Mome Hubava
• Jakob – Wicked Way of Love
• Plamena Petrova – Bez Teb

Poli Genova was emotional when the result that she is the Bulgarian representative in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest was announced.

Watch the show again

You can watch the final again in its entirety, where the winning song is performed again at the end of the show. Watch Poli Genova be chosen as the representative for Bulgaria in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest at  Eurovision.tv here.

Photos: BNT