Ishtar represents Belgium in Belgrade

Last night Belgian TV viewers decided that the group Ishtar will represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade in May. For singer Soetkin Baptist and guitarist Michel Vangheluwe TV viewers have made a dream come true.

"O julissi na jalini" is sung in a non existant Slave-sounding language – some people might say this is quite appropriate for a country like Belgium. In fact it’s not even the first time!

Jury member and former MTV VJ Marcel Van Tielt says: “It’s simply a good song. What did Ishtar’s success tell us? Modern songs don’t need an excess of production techniques. They can be simple and nice.

It also tells us you can jump on one leg and in my opinion they won this competition on one leg!”

Ishtar met stiff competition.

Sandrine showed herself to be a top soul star and with her refined act took the second place.

Brahim ended up in the final thanks to a wild card and ended fourth.

The Paranoicis did well too. Belgian TV viewers could cast their vote by telephone and put them in third position.

Apparently there are still some doubts Europe is ready for the Paranoics, though somebody was a bit quick off the mark and got the poster printed ahead of time.

Isthar will represent Belgium in the semi finals in Belgrade on 20 May. Let’s hope they make it through to the final.

flandersnews.be