NINA'S BIOG
Birthplace - Sweden
Background - Nina Andrén, 24 years old. Born and raised in Sweden, Now living in Helsinki, Finland. Studying journalism at Helsinki University. Has worked as a press reporter at every Eurovision since 2000.
First memory of Eurovision - First memory of watching Eurovision is when Bobbysocks won in 1985, I was 3½ years old at the time and I remember it so well. When Carola won in 1991 was a very special moment for me as a Swede and then of course Eurovision 2000 in Stockholm which was the first one I attended and saw live in the hall.
Some favourite songs - I'm a sucker for big French ballads, a lot of the Italian entries through the years and the happy-clappy camp numbers from Scandinavia during the 80s. In recent years: I LOVED Wig Wam's "In My Dreams" (Norway) from last year.
I thought it was brilliant with a touch of glam rock in Eurovision! "Je n'ai que mon âme" (France 01), "Rapsiodia" (Italy 92) are other favourites. In "real life" my favourite singer is the only and only Dusty Springfield!
Favourite Memories - What I loved about Eurovision as a child was the whole atmosphere. The languages, the spectacular performances, the clothes, the voting and being allowed to stay up late with the whole family and eat crisps and have fun. It was like Christmas for me.
And I would always cheer for Sweden no matter what. The joy I felt when Carola won!! The following year I didn't rate Sweden's entry at all and found other favourites and since then I haven't been very nationalistic. I only want the best song to win.
But I won't lie and say I like all the songs in the contest. Many of them are really crappy but every year there are a few brilliant entries that I would probably never have heard if it wasn't for Eurovision. I don't take the contest too seriously, it's not like if I eat, breathe and live for Eurovision all year around but it would be a little duller world without it.
