:: Eurovision 24 :: Oslo 2010

Representatives from 22 countries will sing their song entirely in English. Six more will sing their songs in a mix of English and a national language; Armenian, Hungarian, Catalan (Andorra), Spanish, Hebrew and French. The Romanian representatives will sing in a mix between Romanian and Italian. Participants from Serbia, Albania, San Marino (Italian), Finland, Portugal, Montenegro, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Turkey, Croatia, Cyprus (Greek) and Switzerland (Italian) will sing in their local language. The Estonian group Kreisiraadio will sing in a mix between Finnish, German and Serbo-Croatian 'tourist dialect'. The Belgian group Ishtar will sing in an imaginary language. Since 1999, the European Broadcasting Union allows participants to sing in the language of their choice. Despite the fear of critics that this would heavily harm language diversity at the Eurovision Song Contest, a large number of languages is represented at the contest nowadays. Those who questioned i

Dustin the Turkey was in Barcelona last night where he was interviewed by Andreu Buenafuente on his late night show aired on Spanish TV channel La Sexta. The Irish representive met Rodolfo Chikilicautre and was more than happy to dance to the beat of Baila el Chiki Chiki. A special puppet show featuring puppets depicting Rodolfo and Buenafuente was held along with Dustin the Turkey.

ESC Today reports that the Governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest, the European Broadcasting Union's Eurovision Song Contest reference group has asked the Irish delegation to alter slightly Dustin's performance lyrics for the upcoming event in Belgrade. Dustin the Turkey will represent Ireland this year at the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade with the song Irelande douze pointe . The lyrics of the song contains a list of European countries, which includes a name check for Macedonia. However the EBU has declined to confirm that the request had come from Greek broadcaster ERT, who which other websites report; have taken offence at the mentioning of Macedonia, rather than their preferred "Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia" the name under which the country joined the United Nations and which is still used by the EBU, albeit in an abriviated form on Eurovision scoreboards - "FYR Macedonia." The EBU reference group have requested that the official na

Interesting article by Alekas Supranavicius for OIKOTIMES.com Read full article

Macedonia Online reports that the Eurovision song of Irish representative Dustin the turkey, must be changed because Macedonia is mentioned. This was the note the Irish representative received from the EU Radio Comission. The EU Radio Comission wouldn't confirm if the pressure came from Greece. "We did not mean to offend Macedonia or Greece with our song. Geography is not our strong side. You probably noticed that because in our song we claim the Danube river goes through France." said the Irish Eurovision representative Dustin the turkey. The "problematic" verse, that the EU Radio Commision felt it must be changed, is shown below: Eastern Europe we love you Do you like Irish stew? Or goulash as it is to you? Shake your feathers Listen Bulgaria we love you Belarus, Georgia, Montenegro, Moldavia, Albania, Croatia, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, MACEDONIA , Love you Turkey Hungary, Estonia, Slovakia, Armenia, Bosnia Herzegovina And don’t forget the Swiss!

Today, the draw of the running order for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest took place in Belgrade.

Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Slovenia, Germany (voting only), Spain (voting only).

Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, FYR Macedonia, Georgia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, France (voting only), Serbia (voting only), United Kingdom (voting only).

The fifteen song national final was held on February 2nd at the LRT studios in Vilnius, following two semi-finals. The winner was be chosen by televoting and in one of the closest contests of the year "Nomads In The Night" sung by Jeronimas Milius won the selection.

The United Kingdom became the first country to select an automatic finalist when "Eurovision-Your Decision" was staged on March 1st. Six acts competed over three rounds of voting with the public eventually choosing the entrant in a two song "super-final". Former "X-Factor" runner-up Andy Abraham will represent the U.K. in Belgrade with a song which he co-wrote titled "Even If".

NTU has persuaded one of Ukraine's biggest stars to represent them at Eurovision. Ani Lorak sang five potential Eurovision entries in a special show on February 23rd and a combination of a televote and a jury chose "Shady Lady" written Philip Kirkorov (Russia 1995) and Karen Kavaleryan, the team that wrote the entry from Belarus in 2007.

Turkish broadcaster TRT caused a surprise in December by announcing that alternative rock band Mor ve Ötesi would would represent the country in Belgrade. The song was chosen internally by TRT after the band presented three potential Eurovision entries. The song was presented on February 15th as part of an evening news show on TRT and is called "Deli" (Crazy).

This year, Spanish broadcaster TVE tried a different approach, asking potential acts to upload their entries to MySpace . Ten songs participated in the Spanish final on March 8th, five chosen by a jury, five by the public from the Myspace entries. The overwhelming winner chosen by a public televote was "Bailar El Chiki Chiki" (Dance The Chiki Chiki) by comedian Rodolfo Chikilicuatre.

The Slovenian EMA, was held on February 3rd in Ljubljana. Before the final there were two semis on the previous evenings reducing the field to ten. In the final, the winner was chosen over two rounds of televoting, one to select the top two and the second to pick the winner. Despite losing the first round, "Vrag Naj Vzame" (Let The Devil Take It) sung by Rebeka Dremelj goes to Eurovision.

The Host countries national final, delayed due to the political situation in Kosovo, was staged on March 10th, after a semi-final on the previous evening reduced the field from 20 entries. The winner was chosen by a combination of a jury and a public televote. The winner of both sections was "Oro" sung by Jelena Tomasevic.

Sanmarinese broadcaster TRSM enters the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time. An internal selection chose the entry, and on March 11th it was announced that the band Miodio, which comprieses of two members from San Marino and three from Italy. Their song which was written by the band is titled "Complice" (Accomplice).

This year broadcaster RTR will represent Russia at Eurovision and in contrast with Channel 1, they staged a national final rather than have an internal selection. On March 9th, a massive 27 entries competed in the biggest national final of 2008. The winner was chosen by a combination of a jury and televoting, and the winner of both categories and gaining the ticket to Belgrade was 2006 Eurovision runner-up Dima Bilan and "Believe".

Romanian broadcaster TVR repeated the formula of the last few years with two semi-finals on 9th and 16th February before a national final staged on February 23rd. A 50/50 mix of televoters and a jury chose the song for Belgrade and the ballad "Pe-o Margine De Lume" (On The Edge Of The World) sung by Nico & Vlad Mirita will represent Romania in May.

Portuguese broadcaster RTP decided to have another national final, to select its entry for Belgrade, despite a run of poor results. Ten producers and songwriters and the "Festival da Canção" took place on March 9th with the winner selected by televote. Vania Fernandes and "Senhoro Do Mar" (Woman Of The Sea) will be the 2008 Portuguese enty.

Polish broadcaster TVP once again decided to have a national final with a 50/50 mix of televoters and a jury selecting the entry. Ten of the songs competedin the "Piosenka Dla Europy" staged in Warsaw on February 23rd. The winner chosen by a cambination of a jury and a televote is Isis Gee and the ballad "For Life".

The Melodi Grand Prix final was held on February 9th at the Spektrum Arena in Oslo, the same venue that hosted the contest in 1996. In the final, the song "Hold On, Be Strong" sung by Maria Haukaas Storeng won the ticket to Belgrade, over two rounds of public televoting.

The Dutch 2008 Eurovision entry was presented in a special edition of the popular show "Thank God It's Friday" on March 7th, after the song had been chosen by Hind and her management team and agreed with NOS. Hind will sing "Your Heart Belongs To Me" in Belgrade.

As an Independent nation, Montenegro will be sending its second Eurovision entry to Belgrade having made its debut in Helsinki in 2007 and failing to qualify for the final. This year's Montenegrin selection was completed over two phases. In the first section televoters chose Stefan Filipovic as the singer from a selection of six performers. The second phase saw an internal selection for the song and Stfan will sing "Zauvijek Volim Te" (Forever I Love You) in Belgrade.

Moldova has a good Eurovision record, with two of its first three entries finishing in the Top 10. This year's Moldovan Final was held on February 9th and the winner chosen by a combination of televoting, a jury of music professionals and a team from Moldovan television. Moldova's song in Belgrade will be "A Century Of Love" sung by Geta Burlacu.

The Macedonian entries recently have followed a familiar pattern, qualifying from the Eurovision semi-final only to fall short of the Top 10 in the final. This year's Macedonian final was held in Skopje on February 23rd and 14 songs competed for the support of a jury and televoters. The winner was Tamara feat. Vrcak & Adrijan Gaxha and "Vo Imeto Na Ljubovta" (In The Name Of Love), the song is likely to be sung in English in Belgrade.

The Melodifestivalen final was staged on March 15th at the Globen Arena in Stockholm. Before that there were five semi-finals. The top two songs in four semis qualify and they are joined by two songs qualifying through a "second chance" selection. Charlotte Pirelli, who as Charlotte Nilsson won Eurovision in 1999 with "Take Me To Your Heaven", won the national final with the song "Hero". After 9 years winning the contest for Sweden, can she do it again?

According to Oikotimes , the media in Greece are wondering today on the poor quality of the Greek official video clip for the contest as almost everyone is displeased with the production outcome, not to mention with the totally negative comments on the song intro change. But the issue that will start soon to be discussed in the media is the lyrics of the Irish entry. As of December the governments of Greece and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia opened again the discussions for the name of the later country. The process although primarily failed, is still open as FYR Macedonia aims to enter in the NATO. The issue of FYR Macedonia's name is very hot in both countries and it seems that ERT will have to deal with a sever problem made by the Irish entry. In the lyrics, Dustin the Turkey reffers to a number of countries, calling the country as plain Macedonia. ERT must be sleeping as if the lyrics are left like that then the country would have been accept in an implied way, the name

We report earlier that the recent troubles in Belgrade may have led to increasing speculation that the Eurovision Song Contest may be moved from the city, but that did not happened as the EBU stated that the contest will be in Belgrade for sure. I really want the contest in Belgrade, but esctime.com has reported that the EBU are having worries if Serbia can host the event because in Serbia on the begging of May will be the president elections. The website have no source. The country which is more preferable to host the contest is Switzerland where EBU is based. EBU and the heads of delegations will decide about the host country on the meeting this Monday in Serbia.

The heads of delegations are arriving to Belgrade for meetings on Monday and Tuesday. On Monday the running draw for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest will be complete. It is to be broadcast live on RTS2, RTS Sat, eurovision.tv and rts.co.yu as well as other EBU networks at 16.15CET. RTS is preparing a big show. The draw will be conducted in Sava Centar and will be hosted by this year’s ESC presenter Jovana and Željko. The RTS choir will sing last year’s winning song Molitva. There will be performances by Serbia’s most popular ethno singer Bilja Krstić and ethno ensemble Bistrik. A special video dedicated to Marija Šerifović will also be aired.

RTS announced the hosts for the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest 2008. Former Eurovision Contestant for Serbia & Montenegro in 2004 with ' Lane Moje ', Zeljko Joksimovic will be the male host, accompanied by Jovana Jankovic , a TV show host on RTS1, will host the 53rd Eurovision Song Contest in May. Jovana was host of the draw for the semifinals, which was held a couple of weeks ago in Belgrade City hall. She started her career in BKTV where she hosted "Blockbuster" , a show about movies. Then she changed her working environment and left RTS. Now she is the host of the Morning Programme on Radio Televizija Srbije, RTS. Zeljko was born in Valjevo (western Serbia), he studied music, and famously came 2nd in Istanbul for Serbia & Montenegro at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004 with the song "Lane moje." They both said they are very honoured to be the hosts. Jovana said she thinks that she did a great job during the draw ceremony so probably they decided

LTV stuck to the formula it has used for several years. The ten song Eirodziesma final was held on March 1st, with televoting selecting the winner. Before the final there were two semi-finals on February 2nd & 9th. The entry for Belgrade is "Wolves Of The Sea" performed by Pirates Of The Sea, with lead vocals by Roberto Meloni who also sang for Latvia in 2007 as a member of Bonaparti.lv. Watch

Israel's entry for Belgrade was chosen over two nights by a combination of a public televote and regional juries on February 25th and 26th. Boaz Mauda, who was discovered through the television talent show"A Star Is Born", performed all five potential entries and the winning song is "Ke'ilo Kan" (As If Here) was written by 1998 Eurovision winner Dana International.

Icelandic broadcaster RUV is going for the most lengthly selection process for 2008. There were twelve qualifiers and four semi-finals before the winner was chosen by the Iceland public on February 23rd. The duo Eurobandid (Regina Ósk and Friðrik Ómar)and their song "This Is My Life" will carry Icelandic hopes in Belgrade.

Hungarian broadcaster MTV had an open selection competition for its 2008 entry, but only experienced singers were considered. The Hungarian final was staged on 8 th February, with a mix of a jury and televoting choosing the entry. Hungary's entry is Csézy and "Szívverés" (Heartbeat) which has been translated to English for Eurovision under the title of "Candlelight".

Greek television repeated the formula that brought a Top 10 result in Helsinki. Three artists competed in a national final, staged in Athens on February 27th. A combination of a jury and a televote chose the entry for Belgrade and the clear winner was Kalomoira and "Secret Combination".

The Schauspielhaus in Hamburg staged the selection on March 6th, with five acts offering variety of musical stylesto the televoters. The entry was chosen over two rounds of voting, with the second two song "Super Final" eventually choosing the winner. After one of the closest votes of the year, well known girl group No Angels go to Belgrade with the song "Disappear".

Georgia returns to the contest with an entry chosen in a twelve song national final staged in Tbilisi on March 1st. The entry chosen by a combination of a jury and a public televote is "Share Your Love" sung by well known local singer Diana Gurtskaya.

Having had one of the best national finals of 2007, France's entry once again failed to make the Top 10 at Eurovision. Consequently France 3 reverted to an internal selection for 2008. After several rumours involving high profile singers such as Tina Arena, Alizee and Laam, the French entry was announced on March 7th and Sebastien Tellier will perform "Desire", the first ever Eurovision entry from France, sung totally in English. Listen to the Song [From All kinds of Everything]

Having hosted Eurovision 2007, Finland is having a smaller selection process for Belgrade. The Euroviisut Final was held on March 1st in Helsinki, hosted by Eurovision presenters Jaana Pelkonen & Mikko Peltonen. Before the final there were four semi-finals, including a "second chance" show. In the final the winner was chosen in two rounds of televoting: one to select the top three and the second the winner. Teräsbetoni and "Missä Miehet Ratsastaa" (Where The Men Ride) represents Finland in Belgrade. [ AKOE ]

The Eurolaul final was held on February 2nd in Tallinn with the winner being chosen in two rounds of televoting, the first to select the top three, the second to pick the winner. In one of the biggest winning margins of the year, the group Kreisiraadio and "Leto Svet" (Summer World) took almost 50% of the vote and the ticket to Belgrade.

The Danish Melodi Grand Prix Final was held on February 2nd in the city of Horsens. In the final Simon Mathew and the song "All Night Long" won the national televote, divided by region, and got the ticket to Belgrade.

Ten songs pre-qualified for the Dora final staged in Opatija on February 23rd and were joined by six qualifiers from a semi-final on February 22nd. A jury and televote chose the winner. "Romanca" (Romance) performed by Kraljevi Ulice & 75 Cents was chosen, and for the second successive year Croatia has sent the oldest ever performer to Eurovision.

Twelve songs competed in the Bulgarian final on February 23rd, the winner chosen by televoting. Before the final there was a semi-final on January 26th where a jury reduced the field from eighteen. In the final, the winner was chosen by televoting. The winner was Deep Zone & Balthazar and "DJ Take Me Away".

Popular local artist Laka (Elvir Lakovic) will represent Bosnia-Herzegovina in Belgrade with "Pokušaj" (Try It).

For the second time in in five years the Belgian entry will be sung in an imaginary language with the group Ishtar performing "O Julisi Na Jalini".

After finally reached the Top 10 in Helsinki, Belraus television were reportedly very unhappy at having to compete in the semi-finals in Belgrade. Belarus had a two stage selection process. Fifteen songs competed in the semi-final held on December 21st. Four songs made the final and then a jury selected "Hasta La Vista" sung by Ruslan Alekhno as the entry for Belgrade in the Eurofest final on January 21st. The song has been re-arranged for Eurovision.

Three entrants contested the first ever Azeri final in Baku on 2nd February. The winner which was chosen by a combination of televoting and a jury was Elnur Huseynov featuring Samir Javadzadeh and "Day By Day" The song has since been rec-recorded for Eurovision.

Armenian television announced in November that popular local singer Sirusho Harutyunyan will represent them in Belgrade, having already called in Armenia's votes in 2007. Armenian composers were invited to submit songs, and four potential entries, selected by Sirusho were performed in a show staged on March 8th. The public chose "Qele Qele" as the entry for Belgrade.