The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 will take place in Moscow. The Russian Dima Bilan picked up the victory at his second start. For his song "Believe", he got the most votes. 2006 Bilan competes for the first time in the song contest and was only beaten by the Finns. About the second place rejoiced in Belgrade Ani Lorak from Ukraine, the Greek Kalomira came on the third place.
With 272 points Russia wins the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade. Because of the much bodyguards, the small winner of the contest was nearly not seen in the middel. It seems to be the way like stars appear. Megastars, who less fear about their safety, as to draw attention to themselves. This is why barely not visible Dima Bilan has tried, to push his glass microphone in the height - over all the heads. The Eurovision trophy was awarded this year for the first time. It was not the only price, which the Russian should get. After all, he is also the composer and lyricist of his winner title "Believe" (together with Jim Beanz).
As expected overthrew the big four, the main donors of the ESC and set finalists, to the end of the field. Germany and United Kingdom received each 14 points and became last. France reached 47 points and gets place 19 and with 55 points Spain became 16th.
However, there is only one counting: Russia has clearly won the contest with 272 points ahead Ukraine (230 points) and Greece (218 points).
Seven times Dima Bilan gets 12 points - from six former Soviet republics and from Israel, where many Russians live. Ten and eight points were given ten times to him - from seven countries of the former Eastern bloc, as well as from Malta, Cyprus and Finland. Like the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) declared before the competition, neighbourhood assistance is totaly excluded through the new system (2 semifinals and 1 great final). And that is quite clear to see at the voting for the Russian - or perhaps not? Russia can thank all it's neighbours who sees them as their big brother...!
Eastern bloc, Scandinavian bloc, Russian bloc, Greece/Cyprus, Moldova/Romania - they are all guilty of causing the death of a fair Eurovision, with their friendly votes. When will people do a fair and decent thing and vote for the song and the performance.
Well at least now Dima Bilan has won and we will hopefully never see him or hear his moaning and groaning at Eurovision again.
Do you remember the good old days? The first few notes of the "Te Deum" would strike up, favored images of a perhaps unknown nation would appear before us, quirky introductions and welcomes from the host or hosts and then a great cavalcade of songs from the truly memorable to the instantly forgettable. And to top it all, a voting sequence where you never quite knew what was going to happen - so good infact that detractors of our beloved contest grudgingly admitted, it was the best part of the show.
Well, not anymore. Sadly, on the basis of last night's ESC, the last part of the "Eurovision magic" has gone. What's the point of a vote? Why waste your money? It was clear last night that neighbourliness is the real winner in a Eurovision final. We will never get away from this factor. Put simply, Dima won becuase he is so well known in so many former Soviet territories - to be fair, other less obvious nations warmed to his song too. But the impression remains that even if he had appeared on staged and hummed for 3 minutes he had have been assured a victory.
The EBU has to take note. Talk of withdrawals is serious stuff. It is make or break time now and a radical review is the only way forward. What we have to accept is that winning Eurovision is not what it used to be and if we want to retain some of the original magic it is time for the show to move to a new phase. Svante and the EBU over to you!
Official Final Result - Eurovision Song Contest 2008:
Spectacular the second semifinal began in the Belgrade arena: a centaur with cylinder, men in green-blue suits and a femal singer from whose dekolletee where growing grass and flowers: That was the "Gras Chor", a kind of Serbian Cirque du Soleil without an artistry number, but for that with folk rhythms.
The first Act on this evening had been Iceland on the European stage. Eurobandid provided with their Euro-dance number for a torrid start. Next to hear was the first pop song of the evening "Hero" with Charlotte Perrelli. However, the appearance of the Swedish favourite was vocally not very convincing.
And after euro-dance and pop, it was coming rock: Mor Ve Ötesi from Turkey sang their song "Deli", accompanied by lots of pyrotechnics. And it was continued equally fiery: Ani Lorak from Ukraine, which many include to the title aspirants, has presented an impressive show: dancers, who beats the flickflack on stage, a lounging femal singer and of course wind engines and fire.
In simple black and with a languishing glance, Paolo Meneguzzi from Switzerland was going into the race. Plus a bit of pyrotechnics, a little bit of up-tempo in the middle section, ready is the Grand Prix song.
Much Pyro and glittering costumes have been presented by the Czech candidate Tereza Kerndlová - but this could not turn away from the poor performance, which she has offered on stage.
Kralje Ulice & 75 Cents from Croatia were certainly representing also an extraordinary act: the combo of old men with the 75-year-old rapper, who scratches on a gramophone - this has a style. Also the Bulgarian contribution deserved attention: the mix of electro-house, reggae, a female singer in Cancan look and burning turntables - that is exactly why the Eurovision Song Contest did not become boring.
And then Diana Gurtskaya from Georgia, was showing the first trick-dress of the evening. Matching to her song "Peace Will Come" her black dress turned into a white one. Also Evdokia Kadi from Cyprus was using a trick-dress, while she let herself carrying from the background-singers on a tabel arround the stage. The ballad "Senhora do Mar" by the Portuguese Vānia Fernandes was finishing the second semifinal with a great presence.
Noteworthy in all respects have been - like also in the first semifinal - the little movies between the acts. In front of white walls which constitutes postcards, were placed sometimes athletes, sometimes artists and sometimes craftsmen. Followed by a few lines in the language of the appearing artist. And always the colors red and blue, this years ESC-colors, have been flowed into the TV-picture and also the country-colors of the following country.
After the presentation of the 19 contributions and the voting-break, Jovana and Željko could announce the 10 countries, which have qualifyed for the great final at Saturday:
Ukraine (starting number final 18), Croatia (starting number final 9), Albania (starting number final 3), Iceland (starting number final 11), Georgia (starting number final 17), Denmark (starting number final 16), Sweden (starting number final 15), Latvia (starting number final 14), Turkey (starting number final 12) and Portugal (starting number final 13).
After the show one thing has been certain: All conspiracy theories have felled. Because in the final twelve EU countries and thirteen non-EU countries are facing. From the classical ESC countries (participants until 1992) have 13 qualified. Twelve countries were coming from the former Intervision, the equivalent of Eurovision at the time of the Iron Curtain. From the countries of former Yugoslavia have only rescued three into the final and three have not reached the final. Five countries, which once belonged to the Soviet Union, are in the final round, but four are not. Nine Eastern European countries have remained on the route. Portugal is the first time since 2003 back in the final - since the introduction of the semifinals Portugal always failed to jump into the final. The country on the edge of Europe became as the best result a sixth place in ESC 1996. For the first time since 1992, moreover, all Scandinavian countries are in the finale.
Yesterday evening the first semi-final of the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest has taken place in Belgrade. With folk music the show in the Belgrade Arena was starting. First, there was a children's choir on stage, then followed by a Balkan brass combo.
Then it was becoming serious: The hosts of the evening, Jovana Janković and Željko Joksimovi have entered the stage. After a very brief welcome the stage was free then for the artists. We already noticed here that the show would be a single agitation and the time was sitting in the neck of the responsible.
Stefan Filipovic from the neighbouring country of Serbia, Montenegro, had the difficult task to open the contest with his rocking number "Zauvijek Volim Te".
He was followed by the Israeli contribution, sung by Boaz Mauda. The "Yemenite Nightingale", such he is titled in the local medias, enchanted the audience with his partly in Hebrew, partly in English sunged ballad "The Fire In Your Eyes".
And also the first wind machine was not long in coming: Geta Burlacu from Moldova was skilfully using it for her song. ESC debutant San Marino tried, to convince with an Italo-rock number. One of the imaginatively entries was coming from Belgium: the band Ishtar was singing to the light sound of their music in an art language. It was already the second time that Belgium was starting with a fantasy language in the ESC.
And another debutant had to come on stage in the first semi-final: Azerbaijan. With their devil-angel number and a stage show that nothing omited, Elnur and Samir celebrated a convincing debut: pyrotechnics, elaborate costumes, color games - the duo from the Caucasus moved all the registers. The more quiet it was getting then, Norway as well as Poland contributed pop ballads.
Bird is also the keyword for the next paticipant, one which makes headlines since weeks: Dustin, The Turkey from Ireland. Dancers in golden clothes and with feather arrangements on the back, have supported the first bird who was ever taken part in a Song Contest.
Finland tried it again this year with real metal sound. Teräsbetoni have rocked with long hair and bare torsos on the stage. The best contribution of this semifinal, by our opinion, was presented by Nico & Vlad from Romania. The romantic love song, performed in romanian and italian language, is a real contest title. The Greek Kalomira - one of the favourites - was finishing with the pop song "Secret Combination" the first semifinal.
After the vote counting break of 15 minutes, the envelopes were brought containing the 10 finalists from this semifinal. Jovana and Željko alternately proclaimed the countries, which we will hear again in the final at saturday:
Greece (starting number final 21), Romania (starting number final 1), Bosnia-Herzegovina (starting number final 6), Finland (starting number final 8), Russia(starting number final 24), Israel (starting number final 7), Azerbaijan (starting number final 20), Armenia (starting number final 5), Poland (starting number final 10) and Norway (starting number final 25).
To the show itself is to say, that the musical inserts from Slobodan Trkulja & Balkanopolis and Arjan Tien & Metropole Orchestra, not evenly straight have been highlights. The show was not completely as long as the serbian pre-selection, but at least just as boringly. Let's see, how it continues to develop in the next shows.
The "No Angels" continue in Eurovision business! Like the NDR (Northern German Television) notifies, the song "Disappear" with which the "No Angels" have won the German PreSelection for the Eurovision Song Contest, is not a plagiarism.
The title was submitted to the NDR already in December 2007 by the record company Universal. The song "Break the Silence" by Steffi List was published after, on 10 January 2008, in Stefan Raab's show.
The composers of "Disappear" also confirm that the melody was already composed in January 2006, but was not published. In November 2007 it gets a text and was completed for the No Angels. Shortly thereafter, the song was submitted to the NDR as a Song Contest entry and accepted.
A plagiarism accusation also needs a plaintiff, who feels brought about his intellectual property. From none side the NDR has get such a complain, neither from the interpreter of the song "Break the Silence", nor from the authors of this song.
The rights of "Break the Silence" are also at the same record company "Universal" , which also represents the "No Angels".
Independent experts confirm, that the analysis of the melodies indicates just a similarity in a very short sequence, which is not enough for a plagiarism accusation, but it stays in the context with the day by day in the world of pop occurring similar impressions. But the basic orientation of the two songs, is completely different.
Ralf Quibeldey, head of the editorial Talk and entertainment from NDR says: "We are convinced, that the song "Disappear" from the No Angels equals in all points to the guidelines of the EBU for the Eurovision Song Contest and is not a plagiarism. We are very happy, that with the No Angels internationally known stars will represent Germany in Belgrade and we press for them and and all of us strong the thumbs."
We, Team ESCBlueWire, are still of the opinion that the song "Disappear" is a plagiarism. A realy pitty, that after 2005 this year again a German contribution arrives negative in the headlines. What those headlines may cause before the contest, we have probably all still in memory. Will it be again another last place for Germany? Here again our advice: Withdraw "Disappear" and send another song for Germany to the contest.
For the very first time, a Eurovision Preview Party is being organized in the UK capital London on the 25th of April. The party offers fans and media a unique opportunity to see some of this year's Eurovision Song Contest entrants performing in the United Kingdom prior to the Contest itself.
The party is intended not only to give the thousands of UK Eurovision Song Contest fans an opportunity to come together and celebrate the contest but also to provide UK media a unique opportunity to preview, meet and interview some of this year's hotly-tipped entrants. Ani Lorak (Ukraine), Euroband (Iceland), Isis Gee (Poland), Nico & Vlad Miriţa (Romania), Morena (Malta) and Paul Oscar, Iceland's 1997 Eurovision Song Contest representative and writer of this year's Icelandic entry are already confirmed to perform at the event.
The venue is London's 1,200 capacity Scala nightclub, fittingly located just a few steps away from London's newly opened Kings Cross St Pancras International rail hub that connects London to the European mainland.
"The UK Eurovision Preview Party is here to bring the joys of the Eurovision Song Contest back to the UK! This will be the biggest Eurovision Song Contest related event in London since the city hosted the contest way back in 1977", a press release of the organizers says.
Against the German ESC contribution heavy reproaches are raised:
Parts of the melody, especially the refrain, are very similar with Steffi List's song "Break The Silence". This song had become third in Stefan Raab's casting show at 10th January!
And thus "Disappear" would be a plagiarism! Like the NDR (Northern German Television) comunicates:
"Naturally, we take such a reproach seriously and it will be investigated in detail!" says Ralf Quibeldey - NDR Entretainment Chief.
We had heard both of the songs and unfortunatelly we must say:
The German entry is a obvious plagiat! our advice for No Angels:
Withdrawn yourself and keep your honour!
Click the pictures, listen both of the songs and let us know your own thoughts!
The last song for the Eurovision Song Contest was chosen at Saturday, 15th March. In a great show, called Melodifestivalen 2008, the swedish entry has been selected.
From the jury-voting seted on place one and gathering enough points from Televoting to came on place two, Charlotte Perrelli won the ticket to Serbia with her song "Hero".
Another english pop song has succeded to be placed as favourite to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
San Marino first entry ever to Eurovision Song Contest arrive!
The group consisting of three Italian members and two San Marinese and is the pop electronic band wich are sent to represent them in Serbia 2008.
More info would be updated here when the song would be also available!
Let's hope would not be as late as the Montenegrenian entry...(almost one week later)
A long and boring show where we were intoxicated with advertises and so called "entertainment".
"Bubbies" awards (Beovizija 2008), were offered allover.
After the televoting has been ended we watched more than one hour and half of extra "music" performances as well as few video clips and of course...more awards!
Awards like a mass production at an assembly line!
The results are probably backing on the oven or came from the other side of the country by car, otherwise we cannot understand this log waiting time to reveal them!
Anyway, we would "surely" use the "Commercial Bank" and drink tones of mineral water as we had so much adverts of them allover the "show".
On the laterals of the stage, three huge screens they looped over and over advertises for Commercial Bank, Mineral Water and coffee!
A never ending "show"!!! Such a sad and depressing evening to spend waiting forever!
It's the second attempt of this artist to represent his country at Eurovision. Already in 2006 has been placed second after the winner with his title "Never Let You Go".
So the public, as well as the jury have been chosen him as their favorite for Serbia this year.
The song "Believe" keep staying on the same music genre as the 2006 entry.
A pop ballad about love which will touch again the teenagers hearts.
The worst entry of Eurovision ever! SHAME TO SPAIN!
Just a bad joke to lower totally the quality of the Contest and embarrass all the fans!
The "artist" is just a very cheap, ugly copy of Elvis Presley and the "song" is political and sexual oriented. We are terrified we have to listen such a garbage again on the Contest!
NULL POINTS on line!
A song which seems to come from a native evening at a mountain hut from Switzerland!
Using a lot of classic instruments this entry reminds us of old musical movies from Germany, Austria or Switzerland.
However, one of the the very different performances prepared for this year in Serbia. Fortunately, some artists who regains us some real musical instruments and come with a typical sound from the Alps countries.
Many greeting from Heidi from the Swiss Alps!
After a great show provided by "RTP" with the "Festival De Canção" this year.
We had watched the webcast transmission of the national portuguese Final, where have been presented the ten entries to be chosen. It was a pleasure to hear all the songs in the native language of Portugal and without a trace of english, italian, french or spanish as so many entries this year! The show was simple but very good taste. A short act of ballet to the beginning followed by the performances of all ten finalists. After the televoting counter has been started we were remembered of past Eurovision winning songs performed by all the finalist artists of the portughese national preselection. After this, the most expected moment has arrived.
"Senhora Do Mar" has won the ticket to Belgrade by the votes from the international televoting.
At the end of the show we could hear Vânia Fernandes again with her sad, melancholic ballad about the "Lady Of The Sea".
Unfortunately it seems that nearly nobody knows more than the title and the artist of the song, which represents Montenegro. Until today this song was not released for public listening, so nobody knows the genre of this song. As soon as the song became available, we will inform you about it.
The german pre-selection was seen all together a very good show, with famous guests like: Ruslana, Marija Serifović and Charlotte Nilsson as well as Katja Ebstein. Less famous was a bad joke from Mr. Oliver Pocher, who said after the performance of Marija Serifović she is looking like a thick "Playmobil-Man"(Playmobil toys). Such remarks and embarassings he should keep for himself. Also the german TV should think about, to invite him again to such a show. An apology from the television station would here be reasonable.
A few black points about the german pre-selection show come from missing a live time counter for the televoting as well as to show us a live table of the actual number of televotes for every song. Also the presenters should announce after every round the total number of votes gathered by the entries, instead of coming with some envelopes after 5 minutes from ending of televoting. Such way let's a lot of place to play with the real results.
Our full support and aproval gets Carolin Fortenbacher. In her presentation video she says "I'm singing german, cause this is our language. It's a nice language and all the world can hear this". Bravo, Carolin Fortenbacher! It would be fine, if more countries would think like her and send their entries in their own language to the contest. But the reality is looking otherwise, cause also for Germany was unfortunately selected a song in english for Belgrade.
From a mix coming from various musical genres, it was selected a generic and common pop song, called "Disappear". Unfortunately just another pop song with no difference than the ones we can hear on any radio station.
A very interesting sound and rhythm coming from France. Quite shocking, this year the song is entirely performed in english, despite past years when their entries were coming sometimes in a mix with english. The selected song was again internal chosen without any show or announce. A fine, romantic melange of pop with disco and a flavour of the seventies. A good voice and an original rhythm had pleased our ears.
Arabic accords along electric guitars in a pop song comes this year from the Netherlands. The same as in the case of the french entry, this song is performed in english. The song was also chosen in an internal selection.
In the meantime five countries have chosen their representants for the ESC 2008 in a pre-selection and one song was chosen in an internal selection. Here are the six new entries - freshly arrived:
A further nonsense! It's matching exactly to the irish entry. Some people are cutting imaginary grains with scythes in the background, alive chickens running allover the stage followed by the spotlight and the interpreter of the song should be better first go to learn to sing. All in everything a further country which tries to make the ESC more laughably.
At this place we again want to beg countries which doesn't have any desire of a serious participation to the ESC... PLEASE, STAY AT HOME!
For us (and not only for us) it seems that the Eurovision Song Contest is getting more and more obviously to a Show of circus and puppets theater than a music contest.
An advice to the EBU: Clear rules for participating entries and singers!
This song is using some traditional greek accords mixed with modern, energic pop rythms.
Young spectators will probably enjoy a lot such entries. Unfortunately one more song which is not performed in it's mother country language. The effect of globalisation puts its prints on top of most of the participating entries, so more and more songs are coming as a mix of the main languages and not sung in their own speech. A realy pity!
A lot of metal and hardrock influence is coming again from this country. Probably they hope to repeat their winning of the contest with a similar song like "Hardrock Halelujah". It is only a very typical entry from it's own category, which doesn't come with any originality.
A monotonous pop rhythm song about peace performed by a young blind female singer. Some people could be impressed by such a combination, better matching at a "Miss-Contest" where all the girls want to save the world, the whales, the woods and the ozone layer.
You can get your own impression about this and the other entries by clicking the link from the top and listen the songs.
One of the very few songs which are coming with a little bit of originality arrived form Latvia.
Energic rythm invites you to party. Like a cutted scene from "Pirates Of Caribbean", the group "Pirates Of The Sea" makes you a part of their adventure on the sea. From us: 10 points!
Participants like this are very rare in this contest, but they are so welcome!!!
Time to travel to the 80's! Disco lights, dancing ring and the atmosphere of disco rhythms pulls you out of the chair. A good voice and the best entry from the pre-selection of United Kingdom has been fortunately chosen. Best choice of Great Britain in the last few years! A good chance to get a Top 10 place in the final.
The big evening is finally over now! Eight countries have chosen their entry for Belgrade 2008. In the meantime we know the eight songs which have been selected this night and we are happy that we have decided to look the romanian
national final. Let's tell you a little bit about it:
Again the voting system was the same like in the semifinals (50% Televoting, 50% jury-voting) and again the jury has had a lot of different members, same like in the second semifinal. The most popular members of the jury this time: Dida Dragan and Mihai Traistariu. After the last semifinal we have thought it's not possible to have a more bad acoustic, but TVR (Romanian Television) makes it possible again. We have never heard a sound (if we can call it a sound) like this.
After the presentation of the twelve songs (you can read about them in our report of the semi-finals), the jury has to give their votes (in closed envelopes) to the presenters. Then the televoting has been started for 40 minutes. In this time the people in the studio and the spectators should be entertained by Goran Bregovic and his Wedding & Funeral Orchestra. This so called "Entertainment" has been one of the most boring, noisy and stupid things we have ever seen. We couldn't understand that a TV-station is even paying and sending such a terrible nonsense. But at least after more than one hour it was overcome.
Now the result of the televoting was shown on a table and we could see that the leading song was "Pe O Margine De Lume", with more than 8000 points, followed by the song "Shine" with nearly 1000 points less. At that time "Run Away" was in third position with a result of a bit more than 2300 points.
And now it became exciting cause the jury-voting was starting. After the first few jury-votes, "Biondo" came closer and closer to "Nico & Vlad Mrita" and soon one had the impression that "Shine" would win this final.
But it should become still more excitingly, cause after the next to last jury voting "Shine" was only three points be "Pe O Margine De Lume". Now the last jury member has everything in her hands to "say" which song to represent Romania at the Song Contest. After the young woman has voted for the first few songs, "Shine" was in turn to get points from her. And she gave...8 points to this song! Now we had to wait until the last song was in turn to get it's points. Finally she called the title "Pe O Margine De Lume" with...12 points! We were relieved that to better last the best Song had won this final.
"Pe O Margine De Lume" is a wonderful, romantic love song which becomes effective because of the sensitive presentation of "Nico & Vlad Mirita. A worthy representative for Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest and for us the very best song which is chosen until now for the international two finals.
Furthermore 6 other countries have decided for the entries in Belgrade.
Here they are:
A break of rythm came with the Bulgarian song, a sound which is more belong to a Night-Club then to Eurovision Song Contest, has been selected to represent them.
Lot of techno flavor and a group of young people full of energy have won the audience votes.
At least this year seems we have a few very different styles upcoming on the Contest.
The free translation of this song means: "This Is My Life", a nice pop entry along some young pleasant voices could set them easy on the Final of Eurovision.
After almost neverending selections, this song has been chosen as their favorite and should represent Iceland in Serbia 2008.
A song in slow motion, which you hear and cannot remember in the next moment. Just another "suave" something where someone is wailing about ... life. Who knows? More romantic then...romantic! Hmm...so easy to forget!
Difficult to describe as a rythm or genre, could be considered as a mix of Pop, R&B, and some Rap...a "Cocktail Molotov" of Balkans modern music...did we already said ... unclassifiable?
The Croatian winner for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest is "Kraljevi Ulice (The Kings of Streets) & 75 Cents". They are also part of the most weird and unexpected entries for this year at Eurovision. A group of street musicians which usually performs on the center of Zagreb on the main square!
Today at Eurovision...tomorrow back on the streets! Well, if Croatia consider to be represented by the "street art", we are just...speechless...
In the most true sense of the word, the Irish shot the bird of this evening. The so called interpreter concerns not human, but a very ugly puppet like from "Muppets Show". About the song and the content of it, we prefer to don't talk about. We only can ask ourselves at this place, who selects such a weak-intimate and brainless rubbish? It seems that one is trying to lower the Contest into a circus. Perhaps in the future all countries should come with cows, sheeps, parrots or apes to the contest. The circus would be perfect than! But before the contest goes down to such a level, the EBU should take steps against this! We think it would be much better, if Ireland would withdraw and enjoy their old, ugly turkey for themselves at home in Ireland. If Ireland has no interest of a serious entry in the contest, than they should stop their participations for the future.
From this place: IRLANDE, ZERO POINTS !!!!!!!!
The last country which has decided about it's entry for Belgrade was
Ukraine. Here the interpreter was already chosen and only the song which should be presented in Serbia had to be selected by the spectators.
Their voting was going to the title: "Shady Lady" sung by Ani Lorak.
A very nice disco-pop "melange" wich we also consider as a good entry for the Contest in 2008!
The second Semifinal was ending a few minutes ago and we had the luck to watch again the transmission of "TVRi" for this round. The voting system was like in the first semifinal: 50% tele-voting and 50% jury-voting. For us the changing of some jury members in a current contest was a little bit odd. Just the "TVRi" makes the impossible...possible and replaced some of the jury members from the first semifinal through others. Here we have to ask why? Have the replaced ones been too inconvenient?
Only this was not the single inconsistence of that evening!
This time, the studio where the show was hold, has serious technical problems with the acoustic and for some songs this was a big disadvantage. For us it seems, that one don't like to have certain songs on the final!
But not enough with all of this - after ending the performance of the whole 12 songs, the live transmission was broken from the "TVRi" at once! Instead of remaining at the live show, the "TVRi" was showing more than 25 minutes of stupid and totally non important program promos!
TVRi first returns back to the live transmission 23 minutes before the tele-voting was ending! We were unable to see the jury voting and the handing over of their sealed voting envelopes to the show presenters. Also it was not possible for us to see the start for tele-voting (40 minutes time for public votes) and we had almost 20 minutes less of the time assigned for public tele-voting!
A show like we have seen couldn't stand firm with the European standards!
Now we want to present you the six songs which have been qualified for the national Romanian final:
With the first place of this semifinal we can agree, even if nor the interpreters, neither the composers and lyric writers came from Romania.
The song "Shine" and the performers, three young tenors called themselves "Biondo", are coming from Sweden. The performance of this song was very good, which is a result of the clear and very good voices of the singers. Settled on operetta style, "Shine" is a very romantic and poetic song about love. Who likes such songs, is very good advised with this title!
Anyway, it was one of the best entries of this evening!
With the well known romanian artists "Paula Seling & Provincialii" we still remain at the romantic area. For their song "Seven Days", they became the second favorites of this evening. This opinion was shared by tele-voting and jury members. Personal, we couldn't see the value of this song to be second placed. Here it's very visible what a famous name could do!
The cheering prospect of the six selected songs has arrived on the third place!
"Fairytale Story" performed by the velvet voice of "Nicola" make us feel like being a part of her love story dream. From tele-voting, set on place five, she finished the competition after jury voting with place three. Already in the year 2003, "Nicola" was representing Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest. With her song "Don't Break My Heart", she became tenth in this competition.
After becoming third in the first semifinal, "Catalin Josan" was qualified now on the forth place with his second song "Run Away". It is a quite noisy love song with strong rock influence. It is curious that an entry without any "salt and pepper", without any originality could became such a high position!
More rock influence and noisy whistles came this time from "Zero" on the fifth place.
Jumping all over the stage, this group of young singers with their title ''Come This Way'' tried to get the attention using a lot of useless whistles and electric guitars, which remind us of being in a football stadion full of fanatic fans.
Place 6 and the last entry which has qualified for the Romanian national final was the song called ''Follow Me". The performers, a group called "VH2", could only reach the final by the help of the jury votes. Based on a almost twenty years old type of Romanian music, they still gathered a lot of votes.
For us it seems, that the qualified songs of the second semifinal have been splitted in two distinct types of music: romantic love songs and noise. Songs which are already hits in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and France like "Yeke, Yeke" sung by "Imba" have been placed between the last ones. But contrary of their placement in this semifinal, they surely will become one of the best sold Romanian hits of 2008.
The Romanian national final you could be seen at the evening of 23rd February 2008 on "TVR1" and "TVRi" (Romanian Television-International).
The weekend is nearly over now and only Belgium has it's third preliminary round this evening!
But the last two days have got the attention of Eurovision fans because three more countries have chosen their entries for Belgrade 2008.
The past Friday it was so far for Hungary to select a song for Serbia. Winner wasn't, like expected Monika Hofman, but Csézy with the song called "Szívverés".
Besides one of the first scandals, Moldova has also it's preselection for the Contest.
This preselection was hold under thinkable bad conditions.
The EBU disqualification of Alexandru Bognibov creates a worldwide very negative feeling about Moldova!
In his song "I Love The Girls Of 13 Years Old" he was glorifying the sex with minors!
With explicit lyrics from his own composition like:
"They put their arms around me and I'm going down,down, down!",
a direct reference to performing oral sex, Bognibov sings about practices which are banned in most countries in the world!
Due to the content of offensive lyrics, his song has received serious criticism.
As a result, the song has been dismissed from the selection process based on it's controversial content.
"This sort of song has no place in the competition. Pedophile behavior is a criminal act and it is very disgusting!" said Jorgen de Milyus, a Eurovision Song contest jury member from Denmark!
Despite this scandalous incidents, "TRM" (Moldavian Television) has hold their own national preselection, which Greta Burlacu was winning with her song "A Century Of Love".
So this time, a jazz style title will represent Moldova in Belgrade.
The third country selecting their representative for Serbia was Norway.
With her song " Hold On, Be Strong" Maria Haukaas Storeng has won the Norwegian national preselection "Norske Melodi Grand Prix".
Further semifinals have taken place at the weekend, Latvia has it's second one since Sweden and Romania hold their first ones.
We have had the luck to watch the live transmission of the first Romanian national preselection!
Let us say some words about the Romanian voting system, before we would inform you of the 6 participants which had reached the Romanian national final.
The voting system, is not much democratic as we think! The voting is summary of a fifty-fifty mix between televoting and Jury-votes (12 jury members).
This system gives the jury a very large power to impose their own favorite entries to the final!
This means that all televoting points are counted as same power as the ones given from just 12 jury members! In such way the jury members could totally change the public will of televoters!
We think Romania, such as other few left countries, should soon renounce of this voting system and let only the people choose!
From the 12 songs presented, 6 songs have been chosen to go further to the finale.
The chosen entries belong to various different styles of music: love songs, etno-pop (a modern folk mix), rock ballads, pop and pop-soul.
The evening was opened by Nico & Vlad Mirita with their song "Pe O Margine De Lume",
a love song which means "On The Edge Of A World"
This poetic song was remarkable because of the beautiful tenor voice of Vlad Mirita accompanied by the sharp clear voice of Nico. Unfortunatelly the song itself doesn't catch us too much because of the boring rhythm!
The televoting, as well as the 12 jury members set them as the winers of this semifinal!
The second choose of this evening was an ethnic disco pop song performed by Simona Nae with the title "The Key Of Life". A very good mixture of traditional Romanian folk music and energic disco beats which got the attention of all the listeners! The single minus which the song gets from our side, is that it's sung in English instead of Romanian, but nevertheless this is a very good choice to send to Belgrade!
Next place was going to a typically, boring in rhythm and text, love ballad: "When We're Together" performed by Catalin Josan. Along, a background ballet with no sense, was trying to make the song more contrasted. Overall just another tedious love song with no interesting elements!
We are coming now to the forth place on this evening, where a rock-ballad has been placed!
"Prea Mici Sunt Cuvintele" (Too Little Are The Words) has been sung by a group of rockers, which have been coming together at this semifinal under the name "Leo Iorga & Pacifica".
Singers which were transiting along the years in a lot of famous rock groups and probably gathered now a lot of points from the old rock generation of the 70's & 80's! The fashion of noisy and screamed songs are over since many years. It would be a bad choice to send to Belgrade!
The fifth place was given to a song called "Doctor Frankenstein". The performing artist LaGayla Frazier, the composer and lyrics writer were coming from Sweden to represent Romania at the Song Contest. The song is an energic mix of disco and pop with a strong flavor of the 80's and a background ballet.
The very strong voice of LaGayla Frazier, who almost scream, has got the attention for her performance but unfortunately this song has nothing in common with Romanian music!
For the further remaining of this song at the Romanian national final, it exclusively got to thank to the 12 jury members. Without their voting she was set on place eight (after televoting).
And the last qualified performers of this first semifinal was a group named "Tabasco".
Some people may have expected hot latin rhythms from them, but what a disappointment for all of us! Their entry "Love Is All I Need" was just another boring pop song. The repetitive lyrics had nothing original on them, the same is valid for their stage performance. A big wonder how they succeeded to come selected for the final.
The next 6 songs for the Romanian National Final would be selected on next Saturday (16 February at 20.10 PM GMT +2) and the National Final, when the Romanian representing song will be chosen, would be broadcasted on TVR channel (Romanian Television) and TVRi at 23rd of February.
In the mean time some more countries had selected their entries for Belgrade 2008!
On the following list we present you in alphabetical order this songs:
The next preselections are coming at the weekend.
At Friday (08 February), Hungary would decide which song they would send to Belgarde!
And on Saturday (09 February), Norway and Moldova would sellect their finalists going to Serbia!
Until today, including - Spain has anounced more then 180 entries for their national preselections!
We wonder if any other country would possibly come soon with more then this! ;)
Despite other countries which had anounced their preselection from a number of 3 songs, Spain had by far, one of the most richest number of entries on the last years, trying to go to Eurovision!
Seems the Eurovision Song Contest gathered a fantastic popularity in this country!
Well...all this big competition between artists make us expect some real good entries comming from the latin land!
Like the romanian television admits, at 16th and 17th january from the numerous song-suggestions would be selected the 24 ones, which participates in the two romanian semifinals for the Pre-Selection. The selection will be made by a internal voting from "TVR" (Romanian Television). The Semifinals would be held on 9th and 16th february, the Pre-Selection (Final) at 23rd february.
Yesterday evening the contribution of Cyprus for the Eurovision Song Contest was chosen in Nicosia. The spectators and listeners could decide between 10 songs which title goes to Belgrade for the island state to the running. While the 9 in English sung songs found only moderate favours,
the onliest in Greek presented title was selected with overwhelming majority as the representative of Cyprus for Belgrade. For her song "Femme Fatale" Evdokia Kadi gets more than 6000 votes and thus she will represent the cypriote colors in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
The next Pre-Selection will take place at 21st january, where Belarus will select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
Some countries selected their interpreter already, but they let vote in a public Pre-Selection which song this artist should sing at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008:
About further Pre-Selections and the appropriate contributions for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 we will up-to-date you on this page. The next Pre-Selection will take place at 12th January 2008 in Nicosia, where the contribution of Cyprus is determined.
From 14th to 16th December the Albanian TV-transmitter "RTSH" traditionally hold the first Pre-Selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
The decision about the contribution from Albania for the Song Contest was made by a 7-head jury. Albania becomes represented in Belgrade by the female singer Olta Boka with the title: "Zemrën E Lamë Peng". The meaning of this complicated title would be: "We Left Our Hearts Kidnapped"
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 takes place at the 24th may at the Belgrade Arena in Belgrade (Serbia).
Before two Semifinals takes place: on Tuesday, 20th May as well as on Thursday, 22nd May.
For the final qualified are only the host Serbia as well as Germany, Great Britain, France and Spain.
All the other countries have to qualify first in one of the two semifinals. Therefore it was decided that in each country only the Semifinale must be broadcasted in the television, in which the own contribution is starting. The same it behaves with the voting. The 5 countries which are directly qualified for the final have to broadcast only one of the semifinals and to vote in this - the decision, which it will concern thereby, decides the EBU.
The drawing which countries are starting in which semifinal will be made in January. In addition all participation-interested countries were already distributed on 6 lot pots, from which the Semifinals will then drawn together. In such a way the lot pots were built up on the basis of the remarkableness with the tuning in the past years (references neighbourhood and Diaspora Votings), that at the drawing those countries, which presented themselves in the past particularly strongly and mutually with points, if possible do not come to the same semifinal.
A possibly crucial change was decided with the Voting in the Semifinale: In each semifinal are only the best placed 9 countries are qualified by televoting; the tenth finalist of each semifinal became the contribution of the national Backup Juries (for the case of the failure of the Televotings, anyway have to give a "spare valuation"), which is not already qualified by televoting.
The much criticized valuation in the final will remain unchanged like it compared in 2007: again all semifinal paticipants may vote in the final, even if they did not qualify themselves for the final. The drawing of the starting order for the two Semifinals as well as for the final (naturally again with "substitute symbols" for the Semifinalists) is made traditionally while the meeting of the delegation leaders in the middle of March.
So far 43 countries announced themselves to the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. These have still the possibility until the middle of December of logging out themself again. The final list of subscribers is communicated of the EBU in January. Like already in 2006 Austria insert again a voluntarily Song Contest break, and also Monaco extends its 2007 begun Song Contest break by a further year.
The efforts toward a return of Italy to the ESC failed, but San Marino announced itself for Belgrade 2008. Slovakia expressed briefly interest in a renewed participation after finishing with the Song Contest 1998, but at the end one decided also in Bratislava against a Eurovision Song Contest participation. But the youngest EBU (European Broadcasting Union) member, Azerbaijan, announced itself and assured its participation already obligatorily.
Like the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) just communicated, the two Semifinals for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 should take place on Tuesday, the 20. May, and on Thursday, the 22. May. The drawing, which countries participate in which Semifinale, will be made in January; the countries are assigned first to different "pots", from which they are then course-drawn to the Semifinals, in order to ensure a balanced distribution. The starting order is drawn lots during the Meeting of the delegation leaders in March.
It was just confirmed by the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) that it will already give two semifinals at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. That means, automatically qualified for the final are only host Serbia, as well as the Big-4-Countries (Germany, France, Great Britain, Spain). All the others (thus also the countries, which reached in 2007 a Top-10-Place in the final) have first to qualify in one of the two Semifinals.
We wish you to have much fun on this EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2008!
Team ESCBlueWire!
Serbia - Country, People and the Contest!
Serbia - A country in transition
Serbia is a landlocked country in southeast Europe with a surface area of 88,361 square kilometers and a population of 9,396,411.
The official name is Republic of Serbia. Serbia is the sole legal successor of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the State Union of Serbia-Montenegro and has preserved by international law its continuity.
The capital of Serbia is Belgrade. It is also the trade and transport centre of the country. Serbia is placed in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula and is bordered in the north by Hungary, in the east by Romania and Bulgaria, in the south by Macedonia and Kosovo, in the southwest by Montenegro and the west by Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia.
Vojvodina in the north and Kosovo in the south are forming in accordance with the Constitution from the year 2006 the two autonomous provinces of Serbia. The Parliament of Kosovo, since 1999 under UN-administration, has declared in February 2008 the independence of the region, but the status of the "Republic of Kosovo" is international controvers. According to the efforts of the Serbian government, to argue its territorial claims on the area, it is always spoken in official documents from Kosovo as a occupied part of Serbia.
Serbia was one of the last countries emerged from former Yugoslavia.
After the disintegration of the Socialist Federative Republic of Yugoslavia, from 1992 Serbia and Montenegro have formed the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This was dissolved by a decision of the former federal parliament in february 2003 and replaced by the confederation of Serbia and Montenegro.
On 5th June 2006, the Serbian Parliament in Belgrade, declared the formal independence of the country, after Montenegro has done this step by a referendum on May 2006, which was already in favour of independance.
At 8th June 2006 the flag of Serbia was hoisted as a successor of the State Union of Serbia-Montenegro at the United Nations.
On 30th September 2006, in Belgrade the Parliament adopted unanimously and after six years of struggle a constitutional amendment for Serbia.
By a referendum on 28th and 29th October 2006, the new constitution was adopted by 53.04% of the voters. On 10th November 2006, the new constitution was also adopted by the Parliament. On January 2007, new parliament elections were conducted. First in May 2007 Serbia Democrats agreed on the government formation with Vojislav Koštunica as prime minister.
On 17th February 2008 the parliament of Kosovo called out the independence of the province, but this is not accepted by the Serbian government and the Serbian parliament. After the declaration of independence in some cities it came to unrests, where especially embassies of countries were attacked which have advocated the independence. While this unrests a 22-year-old student was killed in the American Embassy, where he and other youths have intruded.
Serbia is placed on a peninsula with a large land mass, which is surrounded in the west, south and east of relatively warm seas (Adriatic, Aegean and Black Sea) and in the north from the rest of the European mainland. Therefore the winters in Serbia are short, cold and snowy, the summers are very warm. The most coldest month is January, since the warmest one is July.
In Restricted Serbia for the most part are living Serbs, beside of them in the east and north-east also Romanians, in the south-east Bulgarians and Roma. In the area of Stari Ras is also living a larger minority of Bosnians and in Preševo Valley an Albanian minority.
The vast majority of Serbia's population are Christians and with about 6.3 millions, the majority of them is committed to the Serbian-Orthodox-Church. In addition, there are also Catholics, Protestants and a few New Christians. Beside of them in Serbia are living atheists and followers of other religions, such as Muslims.
Belgrade - The city grows...
Belgrade is the capital of Serbia. The city is placed at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube in the south-east of the Pannonian plains and the northwest of the Balkan peninsula in Restricted Serbia. At the same time the city with its three city parts is forming one of the 30 Serb districts.
Belgrade, together with its suburbs has 1.7 million inhabitants and is the largest and most populous Serb city. The million city Belgrade is the political, cultural and economic metropolis of Serbia and after Istanbul and Bucharest the third richest population town in Southeast Europe. In the 20th Century Belgrade was the capital of Yugoslavia and from 2003 to 2007, the capital of the confederation Serbia-Montenegro.
The historic landmark of the city since the Middle Ages consistently maintained Kalemegdan fortress. The name of the city means as much as white (Beo) Fortress (-grade), while "grade" today could also translated with city.
Belgrade has several universities, and various other highschools, theaters, museums and cultural institutions. There is a zoo and a botanical garden, as well as parks and woods around the city.
Belgrade, as the capital of Serbia, is an important administrative and service center.
Well known is the shopping area Knez Mihailova, placed in the district of Stari Beograd, where many international chain stores can be found. Belgrade is one of the fastest evolving and most growing regions in Serbia, but also in the entire area of Southeast Europe. Compared to other regions of Serbia, the income of the inhabitants is above average, why the influx of people from rural areas is increasing.
Belgrade Arena - The Evening of the Contest
The Belgrade Arena is the largest sports hall in Serbia, and the fifth largest in Europe this time. It is located in the Belgrade District Novi Beograd, on the European route E70 and E75. From the airport to Belgrade Arena, it is about fifteen minutes during rush hour for about half an hour.
The arena is a multifunctional hall. Here it can be played basketball, handball, volleyball, tennis, soccer and ice hockey. In addition, it can be used for concerts and various other events.
1994 should be held in Belgrade the FIBA World Championship. The only condition as been, that the city had to built a new basketball arena. Immediately one began with a competition for the best design. The new arena should have a minimum capacity of 20,000 places. The draft of Belgrade architects Vlada Slavica has won.
In 1991, the Blok 25 in Belgrade as a site for the construction projects was selected. But the project was under time pressure. It was only three years up to the World Cup and one still had to built the whole arena-structure. A team of 135 companies was composed and two architects designed the roof of the arena.
In 1992, the construction of the arena began. It was formed a partnership with the US-American company HOK Sport Venue Event, who had some experience with the construction of sports objects. But hard times followed.
With the disintegration of Yugoslavia and the sanctions against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia one was ending the collaboration. Even during this time, the construction of the arena was continued.
1993 was one of the worst years in the modern Serbian history. There were a record inflation and as a result of the sanctions, the United Nations deprived Belgrade the event of the World Basketball Championship in 1994.
After this sanction of the "Fédération Internationale de Basketball", the building still continues, although if this, because of the lack of building materials, was even slower. In 1995, the building was stopped then completely.
First 1998, the construction continued, cause Belgrade has been selected as a venue of the table tennis World Cup 1999. At that time, the roof of the arena has been almost completed and one began with the construction of the facade.
But one withdrew the privilege of the city, to organize the events of the World Championships. The reason for this was the bombing of the city by NATO forces during the Kosovo war in 1999.
After the change of Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 2000, all sanctions were lifted and the arena was completed in 2004. Exact in the same year the "Basketball-Diamond Ball 2004" takes place and Belgrade was selected as venue.
2005, the European Basketball Championship takes place in the arena. In 2005 there were many sporting events and concerts in the arena. It became always more popular and famous and one began with the work of an automated system for fire protection and elevators were installed. All works to get the stadium to European standards, have been ended in November 2006. In the meantime, no events were held.
On 4th November 2006, the Belgrade arena was reopened. It covers an area of 48,000 square metres and has 20.000-23.000 places.
The construction costs amounted to 70 million euros. In the Belgrade Arena will take place the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest.
Serbia and the Eurovision Song Contest
Serbia took for the first time part as an independent nation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 and has won it with Marija Šerivović and her song Molitva. Previously the Serbian television RTS already drew responsible for the Serbia-Montenegrian entry 2004, Željko Joksimović with his song Lane Moje.
In the Yugoslavian Song Contest history, the former Serbian television station TV Beograd was representing the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 1974 in Brighton with Korni Grupa and Generacija 42, at the Eurovision Song Contest 1982 in Harrogate with Aska and Halo Halo, at the Eurovision Song Contest 1991 in Rome with Bebi Dol and Brazil and also at the Eurovision Song Contest 1992 in Malmo with Extra Nena and her song Ljubim Te Pesmama.
Serbia has two Contest records on its list: the record average of 268 points and also the victory at the first time they start at a Eurovision Song Contest.
Ralf Quibeldey, head of the editorial Talk and entertainment from NDR says: "We are convinced, that the song "Disappear" from the No Angels equals in all points to the guidelines of the EBU for the Eurovision Song Contest and is not a plagiarism. We are very happy, that with the No Angels internationally known stars will represent Germany in Belgrade and we press for them and and all of us strong the thumbs."
For the very first time, a Eurovision Preview Party is being organized in the UK capital London on the 25th of April. The party offers fans and media a unique opportunity to see some of this year's Eurovision Song Contest entrants performing in the United Kingdom prior to the Contest itself.
Against the German ESC contribution heavy reproaches are raised:
Sweden:
San Marino first entry ever to Eurovision Song Contest arrive!
A long and boring show where we were intoxicated with advertises and so called "entertainment".
It's the second attempt of this artist to represent his country at Eurovision. Already in 2006 has been placed second after the winner with his title "Never Let You Go".
A song which seems to come from a native evening at a mountain hut from Switzerland!
The german pre-selection was seen all together a very good show, with famous guests like: Ruslana, Marija Serifović and Charlotte Nilsson as well as Katja Ebstein. Less famous was a bad joke from Mr. Oliver Pocher, who said after the performance of Marija Serifović she is looking like a thick "Playmobil-Man"(Playmobil toys). Such remarks and embarassings he should keep for himself. Also the german TV should think about, to invite him again to such a show. An apology from the television station would here be reasonable.
A further nonsense! It's matching exactly to the irish entry. Some people are cutting imaginary grains with scythes in the background, alive chickens running allover the stage followed by the spotlight and the interpreter of the song should be better first go to learn to sing. All in everything a further country which tries to make the ESC more laughably.
At this place we again want to beg countries which doesn't have any desire of a serious participation to the ESC... PLEASE, STAY AT HOME!
This song is using some traditional greek accords mixed with modern, energic pop rythms.
Young spectators will probably enjoy a lot such entries. Unfortunately one more song which is not performed in it's mother country language. The effect of globalisation puts its prints on top of most of the participating entries, so more and more songs are coming as a mix of the main languages and not sung in their own speech. A realy pity!
The big evening is finally over now! Eight countries have chosen their entry for Belgrade 2008. In the meantime we know the eight songs which have been selected this night and we are happy that we have decided to look the romanian
national final. Let's tell you a little bit about it:
The second Semifinal was ending a few minutes ago and we had the luck to watch again the transmission of "TVRi" for this round. The voting system was like in the first semifinal: 50% tele-voting and 50% jury-voting.
With the first place of this semifinal we can agree, even if nor the interpreters, neither the composers and lyric writers came from Romania.
The weekend is nearly over now and only Belgium has it's third preliminary round this evening!
Besides one of the first scandals, Moldova has also it's preselection for the Contest.
This preselection was hold under thinkable bad conditions.
Due to the content of offensive lyrics, his song has received serious criticism.
We have had the luck to watch the live transmission of the first Romanian national preselection!
The televoting, as well as the 12 jury members set them as the winers of this semifinal!
In the mean time some more countries had selected their entries for Belgrade 2008!
On the following list we present you in alphabetical order this songs:
Yesterday evening the contribution of Cyprus for the Eurovision Song Contest was chosen in Nicosia. The spectators and listeners could decide between 10 songs which title goes to Belgrade for the island state to the running. While the 9 in English sung songs found only moderate favours,
the onliest in Greek presented title was selected with overwhelming majority as the representative of Cyprus for Belgrade. For her song "Femme Fatale" Evdokia Kadi gets more than 6000 votes and thus she will represent the cypriote colors in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
Meanwhile some other countries already specified their contribution for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in an internal selection:
Israel
From 14th to 16th December the Albanian TV-transmitter "RTSH" traditionally hold the first Pre-Selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008.
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 takes place at the 24th may at the Belgrade Arena in Belgrade (Serbia).
Before two Semifinals takes place: on Tuesday, 20th May as well as on Thursday, 22nd May.
For the final qualified are only the host Serbia as well as Germany, Great Britain, France and Spain.
The drawing which countries are starting in which semifinal will be made in January. In addition all participation-interested countries were already distributed on 6 lot pots, from which the Semifinals will then drawn together. In such a way the lot pots were built up on the basis of the remarkableness with the tuning in the past years (references neighbourhood and Diaspora Votings), that at the drawing those countries, which presented themselves in the past particularly strongly and mutually with points, if possible do not come to the same semifinal.
Serbia is a landlocked country in southeast Europe with a surface area of 88,361 square kilometers and a population of 9,396,411.
Belgrade is the capital of Serbia. The city is placed at the confluence of the Sava and the Danube in the south-east of the Pannonian plains and the northwest of the Balkan peninsula in Restricted Serbia. At the same time the city with its three city parts is forming one of the 30 Serb districts.
The Belgrade Arena is the largest sports hall in Serbia, and the fifth largest in Europe this time. It is located in the Belgrade District Novi Beograd, on the European route E70 and E75. From the airport to Belgrade Arena, it is about fifteen minutes during rush hour for about half an hour.
After this sanction of the "Fédération Internationale de Basketball", the building still continues, although if this, because of the lack of building materials, was even slower. In 1995, the building was stopped then completely.
Serbia took for the first time part as an independent nation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 and has won it with Marija Šerivović and her song Molitva. Previously the Serbian television RTS already drew responsible for the Serbia-Montenegrian entry 2004, Željko Joksimović with his song Lane Moje.
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