:: Eurovision 24 :: Oslo 2010

The scene inside the Helsinki Arena, as preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest continue.

YLE has silenced critics who have suggested organisation of the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest might be running behind schedule by issuing final details of the programme that awaits those delegations attending the contest in Helsinki next month. With rehearsals starting on 27 April, work is continuing apace at the Hartwall Areena. Until recently the stadium played host to an ice hockey tournament. The first job was to melt the ice rink and begin building the stage for the first run throughs of the opening and interval acts. The load-in began on 17 April when 23 truckloads of equipment arrived.Work on the press centre will start on 25 April. Up to 2000 people have been accredited to work on covering the contest for various media including both official and fan sites. The first delegates are expected on 1 May 2007, the press centre opens on 2 May 2007 and semi-final rehearsals kick off the day after.

Eurovision host broadcaster YLE is facing criticism from broadcasters about the lack of information about the stage for the 2007 contest. Estonian Television ETV recently voiced concern at the lack of information coming from Helsinki. It complained that delegation heads know nothing more than the size of the stage. It has led to speculation that things are falling behind schedule. YLE's silence is being seen as an attempt to cover up problems. In response, Finnish TV issued a somewhat vaguely worded press release stating that the stage would be 'something totally unforeseen in Finland.' There was more concrete information from lighting director Mikki Kunttu, who explained that huge LED screens would be used to project the backdrops for each song. Using these screens allows the director to change the style and shape of the stage for each song by simply flicking a few switches.

Finnish cello group Apocalyptica has been signed up to provide entertainment during the interval of the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest. While voters around the Eurovision network hammer away at their phones, the group, who modestly call themselves 'one of the most original metal bands in history' will perform a selection of older and new material.The theme for the 2007 contests promises to be very much one based upon fantasy and rock music, following the win in 2006 for Lordi. The rock group will open the final with a reprise of 'Hard Rock Hallelujah' and another newer song. The semi-final promises an interval act with performances from what YLE calls 'Finnish front row artists'. A diverse group of performers ranging from singers to circus acts will feature alongside Tsuumi to cobble together something that hardly anyone will watch. YLE reports that the stage show will combine traditional and modern folk dancing. The final will open with a piece choreographed by a

RTE have launched their Television website for the Eurovision Song Contest 2007. View at: http://www.rte.ie/tv/eurovision

FYR Macedonian delegation decided on Wednesday to apply to the EBU for permission to allow Karolina sing the second half of her song, Mojot svet, in English. They have confirmed to esctoday.com that they decided to allow Karolina to perform the bilingual verison of the song, but their application has been rejected by the EBU. They have now appealed against the decision and hope for a positive outcome by Monday of next week. Karolina is desperate to sing part of the song in English but initially, the FYR Macedonia rules stated the performance had to be in their native language. After taking Karolina's views into consideration, taking soundings from the record company, other music experts and the fans, including the reaction to the song following the release of the English version, the delegation met and decided to formally apply to sing the second half of the song in English. The EBU rejected the request with the view that at this late stage it would not be possible to change the la

DR has been found not guilty in a case regarding rightful credit in relation to the postcards used for the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest held in Copenhagen। DR was originally found guilty, but an appeal court has now decided in favour of the Danish broadcaster. DR had hired an external producer for the postcards, but they did not credit every single person that in some way had been involved in making the postcards shown in between the songs। From the producer they had received a long list with the names of everyone involved. DR however returned the list saying which ones they did not have to give credit to according to the law of copyright. This included a helicopter pilot! One of the ones not being given credit contacted DR insisting to have his name mentioned. DR then asked for further information about what this person exactly had been doing, information they never received and therefore this person was not being given credit. “Film – og TV arbejderforbundet” (Film and TV worker unio