The remaining competitors – bar the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and Switzerland, who automatically qualify for the grand final – will perform for a spot in Saturday’s main event during the second round of semi-finals on Thursday night. Among them is Israeli contestant Yuval Raphael, who will compete for a chance at the grand final with her song “New Day Will Rise.”
Mamagama, made up of Jewish frontman Mishiyev, 32, guitarist Hasan Heydar and drummer Arif Imanov, consider themselves a “model of tolerant Azerbaijan,” according to their interview with the JC last month. Mishiyev comes from the Mizrahi group of Mountain Jews and told the JC that Judaism is a big part of his day-to-day life, but he also celebrates Azerbaijani holidays with his Azeri friends and they celebrate Jewish holidays with him.
“No matter what your religion or nationality, everyone lives here in peace and love. Azerbaijan is one of these places where you can be Jewish,” Mishiyev said.
A lifelong songwriter, Mishiyev wrote the lyrics and melody for Mamagama’s Eurovision song “Run With U” when he was just 16.
