interview with president of ogae italy

Club found: February 1990
Number of members: 55
President: Matteo Aldrovandi
Average age: 40

1. How members of OGAE Italy see the Eurovision song contest now that your country doesn't compete anymore?
Actually I don't understand the question. But we still watch the ESC and we pick our favorite.

2. Does your club perhaps have any kind of parties, gatherings or festivals where club members can meet?
Of course we have it. We meet every year on the night of the Eurosong, this year we met on May 21st. usually we meet in Livorno near Florence where we rent a cinema hall and enjoy. Even though we watch it live on TVE we have splendid Dolby Sound Stereo.

3. San Remo is the biggest Italian festival. Do club members attend it and do you promote it abroad?
I haven't been to San Remo yet, nevertheless two of the club members attend the festival on their own. The spectators have to buy the tickets for all five days and prices are very high. One-day ticket is not the option. Otherwise we promote the San Remo festival in OGAE magazines (Vision and EuroSong News). We usually select the song for OGAE Song Contest or Video Contest from San Remo. Often we receive a request for San Remo CD but unfortunately we can give them just a copy.

4. We are all familiar with Italian type of music, especially from the Eurosong of 80s and of course San Remo. Do you think that Italy would interest the rest of Europe if returned to ESC?
Above all I think that the most important thing is with what kind of song Italy would send to Eurosong. If we would send a song that had 10.000 already heard the version of it I think that it is better as it is, than to compete again. I hope that Italy returns with ethno music in a style of "Lane moje" or "Rimi Rimi Ley". It would gain a lot. But on the other hand I think that EBU should consider the fact that last few ESC were kind of similar to MTV's so called "Music Award's" and singers, which national broadcasters are sending to ESC are unknown and complete amateurs. I think that they should send more ethno songs and consecutively the popularity of the contest would be higher.

5. Did you get a chance to meet someone who represented Italy in Eurovision song contest and where?
Not in a million years. We only have email contacts with Jalisse, Gigliola Cinquetti, Umberto Tozzi, but we haven't met them yet. I remember one time I was near the Jalisse's house and I called her to propose a coffee. Her answer was that they do not wish anyone to disturb them while they are home. Really kind.

6. Are you maybe familiar with some kind of anecdote regarding Italy's representative on Eurosong?
Last time that Italy participated was in 1997 and to be honest I haven't watch it and therefore I don't know much about it. Neither about any interesting anecdotes. I've become Eurovision fan in 1997, before that I was aware of the contest but I was out clubbing on the night of the contest.
Does your club have any foreign members?
Some of our members are working abroad in Spain, UK, USA and Germany. But we have members originally from Germany and Finland.

7. Matteo Aldrovandi, how would you briefly describe OGAE Italy?
So, OGAE Italy is made up of true friends who are interested in Eurovision. We have lots of informal meetings, which only confirm it. We go to pizza or cinema together. Since Italy don't air Eurovision anymore, it's crucial for us few who like it, to have new members to join us. I'm extremely happy and glad that they are willing to help you regardless of form or time. I rather have club with few members than one with huge membership, where members only pay their fee and don't do anything else.

8. How long have you been president and for how long you plan to be one?
I have been president since October 2003 and since we don't need any special rules about it I plan to be president as long as members will want to have me.
How do you feel about televote and lack of orchestra in Eurovision?
Personally I'm 100% against televote. All of the performers prepare for that contest for quite a while, but spectators at home decides and vote just on a base of looks and special effects which are more and more popular. Usually we forget about the most important thing - the song. For that reason I think that we should bring back jury at least partially. For starters additional jury award. About orchestra: it's true that we have orchestra at San Remo, it refreshes the contest and it add certain charm to the song, I always find it interesting how can the orchestra members memorize all 40 songs, but I think that it would be total nonsense to brig it back to Eurovision.

9. What do you know about Slovenia or OGAE Slovenia club?
Let me think for a minute... I know that Slovenia is our neighbor country on our right side (laughter) If I'm completely honest I don't know much about Slovenia. I know a few people who visited you and they told me that it's very European, clean with exceptionally friendly. It sounds so interesting I have to visit it. About OGAE Slovenia: I know that you have good relations with national broadcaster RTV Slovenija and that you cooperate with them very well. Above that I really appreciate your parties, where you always have well known singers as guests. It's very kind that they respond. There are two reasons that we can not afford this: we don't participate in Eurovision anymore, but even if we would, the singers would charge us way too much.

More info about OGAE Italy on http://www.italy.ogae.net