Interview - Krassimir Avramov (Bulgaria 09)
Image taken from www.eurovision.tv
By Diarmuid Murphy
After making contact to do an interview with Krassimir, the Bulgarian representative was very happy to assist.
1 - Could you introduce yourself and tell us where in Bulgaria you come from?
Hi, I am Krassimir and I am born in Sliven – one very beautiful city in Southeastern Bulgaria. From an early age I relocated to Sofia, where I studied and started my carrier.
2 - Could you tell us about your career to date and your highlights?
I moved to Los Angeles, USA in 1998 , and since then I live there. Actually my carrier started “in silent”. My first love was pantomime, probably as you know I am a professional mime, I graduated from the National Academy for Theatrical and Film Arts with major Pantomime. I discovered the music a little later and I can truly say that the pantomime is in my blood and the music in my heart. In 1998 when I left Bulgaria I was on the top of the wave, very popular, with many concerts in Bulgaria, fans and had the real life of a star. However, it was not enough for me. I have always dreamed to sing for the world, to bring my music to bigger audience. The reality was completely different. I was expecting my success to follow me in the USA, but when I arrive there I found myself with nobody, in the big world of Hollywood. So it was very difficult in the beginning, especially with the ego that I have had from Bulgaria. I was working as a waiter, as a pizza man, whatever, just to survive. What kept me in these moments was my strong believe in God and my love into my music. As you know God helps the people who dare to risk and soon after this very hard in the first few months, slowly the chances start to arise. In 2005, I recorded the album Popera , for which I was granted with the prestigious award “Superstar of the Year” from L.A. Music Awards, I made my concert at Hollywood’s home of the Oscars, the prestigious Kodak Theatre, I have release my single “Say Goodbye” . So when I return back to these times I am really happy for the choices that I have made.
3 - What made you decide to enter this year's Bulgarian selections for Eurovision?
I had achieved many of my dreams in USA, but I have always had this nostalgic feeling for Bulgaria. I wanted to make something back again in my country. That’s how we decided together with my producer William Tabanou to prepare a song for the Eurovision Song Contest. The song is written especially for the contest. We wanted to make it in the ESC format, to have the hit element, to have the Bulgarian signature with the folklore nuances and of course to have my specific mark - combination of pop and opera. That’s how we ended with “Illusion”
4 - Did you expect to win the Bulgarian final or did it come as a bit of a shock to you?
Soon after it was realised the song became a total hit. It was unexpected for me, but people love it, because it was different and original. I really hoped and wanted very much to win, but when it happens, when I heard my name it was a real shock. I couldn’t stand the emotion and my tears, as I thought that after so many years abroad, I am not so popular and people would prefer to choose somebody they know. I was so grateful to the Bulgarian audience, because the percentage with which I won was really high - 55%, that never had happen on the BG Eurovision. That proves me, that people loved my song and that they are still with me, even I was far from them for 10 years. It was very emotional moment.
5 - After you won the competition, there was a lot of controversy over your entry. What did you think about this?
Well, what went wrong is simple the jealousy of my colleagues who have lost. The first drama for them was the huge difference, between the 1st and 2nd place, I had 55% of the votes and the second place had only 11%. So it is normal to have jealousy and angry reactions. As I already said very soon after the release of the music video it become a hit and this was months before the Semi Final and the Final. As I was for ten years outside Bulgaria, for my colleagues I seem just a stranger and undeserving to be a winner. Which is without logic, because people vote for a song, people vote for what they like. Anyway after the scandal the song become twice more popular. So for me everything that happens had to happen obviously.
6 - You have a great video and it is one of the best videos I have seen in Eurovision. Could you tell us more about the shooting of this video, location, filming etc?
Thank you. The video is a really impressive production for Bulgaria. The idea of the video is deep and provokative, you have love, hate and mystery. It was made in November in Bulgaria in the surroundings of Sofia and on the historical fortress Babini Vidini Kuli in a very short term, we had only two days of making. The Director is well known Valeri Milev, most of the battle scenes are made together with professionals trained in the world blockbusters like Troy and many others. The small secret I will reveal to you is that apart of me in the scenes plays my brother and he was very realistic in his role./ha ha /
7 - How are your preparations going for Moscow at the moment and what are yours plans between now and May?
It is quite intense lately as we are very close with time to the First Semi Final. Rehearsels, interviews, meetings …. We had just started our promo tour, which will continue until the end of April. Our first country was FYR Macedonia, we plan to visit also Greece, Germany, United Kingdom , Holland, Romania and Turkey.
8 - Could you give us a clue on what we can expect from you on stage in Moscow?
When we started think about our stage performance by the time we came very close to the idea to use the theme of the music video of the song as a base. Let’s say it will be one modern way for us to bring the spirit and the athomosphere of medieval centuries. The project for the stage is really impressive and non standard.
9 - Should Bulgaria qualify for the final or even win the competition, what would this mean to you?
Well if this happen this will be one victory for my country Bulgaria, if I lose I will lose only for myself. Here is the place to appeal to all my fans in the UK, as UK will have the right to vote in the First Semi Final, please give your support for me, if you like “Illusion”, I will be under number 11.
11 - Finally, is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
Yes, I want to share a message with all of my fans and to the people that are part of Eurovision 2009. We live at the 21st century, we live in a world where the pain and aggression dominates. Eurovision is a forum for arts and music, a forum where art people meet, people with fine soul, people that have kept the innocent inside. We are all winners already. Only one will be the first, but all of us will be united by different nations, religion, color to make people happier and to give a light of brightness in the dark Thank you and God bless you!
Thank you Krassimir for doing this interview.
You can view Krassimir's entry for the Eurovision by clicking here
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