Eurovision Chat

Today the official sale of tickets for the 55th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off. As many as 90 000 tickets can be purchased through the official Norwegian ticketing service Billettservice, both online and through the company’s call center.

Mind you, if anyone else sells Eurovision tickets, for any of the events, chances are these are fake. The event venue is Telenor Arena in one of Oslo’s neighbourhoods Bærum.

This year, there are no tickets for the Dress Rehearsals of the two semi-finals – only the live shows can be watched in the hall.

• First Semi-Final – 25 May – from 75 to 37 Euro
• Second Semi-Final – 27 May – from 75 to 37 Euro
• Final (second Dress Rehearsal) – 28 May – from 75 to 37 Euro
• Final (third Dress Rehearsal) – 29 May – from 75 to 37 Euro
• Grand Final – 29 May – from 200 to 100 Euro

not including booking taxes.

As the new rules of the Eurovision postulated a couple of years ago, all the countries should participate in a semi-final. Except for the host country and the Big Four. On Friday, 7 February, the EBU drew the semi-final allocation, the distribution of votes of the big 4 and Norway, and the respective halves (first / second) in which the countries will compete.

By the way, tickets are on sale as of today

Here are the two lists:

Semi-Final 1 – 25 May 2010

First half:
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Estonia
Finland
Latvia
Moldova
Russia
Serbia
Slovakia

Second half:
Albania
Belarus
Belgium
FYR Macedonia
Greece
Iceland
Malta
Poland
Portugal

Semi-Final 2 – 27 May 2010

First half:
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Denmark
Israel
Lithuania
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine

Second half:
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Georgia
Ireland
The Netherlands
Romania
Slovenia
Turkey

Here is the allocation of the voting of the Big Four and the host country:

First Semi-Final: Germany and Spain
Second Semi-Final: Norway, UK, France

Norway came up with the theme for the 55th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, to be held between 25 and 29 May in Oslo: SHARE THE MOMENT!

After the deadline for participation in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest passed, a total of 39 participants have confirmed their participation in the most popular European music event.

There are no surprises but for the come-back of Georgia. Here is the final list of participants in the 55th Eurovision.

Albania —– Armenia —– Azerbaijan —– Belarus —– Belgium —– Bosnia & Herzegovina —– Bulgaria —– Croatia —– Cyprus —– Denmark —– Estonia —– Finland —– France —– FYR Macedonia —– Georgia —– Germany —– Greece —– Iceland —– Ireland —– Israel —– Latvia —– Lithuania —– Malta —– Moldova —– The Netherlands —– Norway —– Poland —– Portugal —– Romania —– Russia —– Serbia —– Slovakia —– Slovenia —– Spain —– Sweden —– Switzerland —– Turkey —– Ukraine —– United Kingdom

You have to know that May is one of the finest and loveliest moments to be in Norway. Make sure to book a ticket to Oslo as soon as possible. Shortly I’ll offer a list of survival tips in one of the most expensive countries in the world.

See you soon

The Netherlands wins 7th Junior Eurovision Song Contest

Kyiv (Ukraine), 21 November 2009 – The Netherlands won the 2009 Junior Eurovision Song Contest. It was the seventh edition of the kid’s Eurovision entertainment event.

Ralf Mackenbach with Click Clack managed to gain a total of 121 points. Luara Hayrapetyan from Armenia ranked second, and Ekaterina Ryabova from Russia finished on third position.

Here is the final ranking by points of the 13 participating countries:

1. The Netherlands — 121
2. Armenia — 116
3. Russia — 116
4. Belgium — 113
5. Ukraine — 89
6. Sweden — 68
7. Georgia — 68
8. Malta — 55
9. Belarus — 48
10. Serbia — 34
11. Cyprus — 32
12. FYR Macedonia — 31
13. Romania — 19

By tradition, the host country of the next Junior Eurovision Song Contest was chosen through bidding. In 2010 the 8th edition of the JESC will be held in the capital of Belarus – Minsk.

Oslo is already getting started for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. The brand new hall Fornebu Arena in Bærum, Oslo, which is also Northern Europe’s largest indoor stadium, will gather more than 15 000 people in May next year.

Get ready for an exciting trip to Norway’s capital on:

• Semi-Final 1 on Tuesday, 25 May 2010
• Semi-Final 2 on Thursday, 27 May 2010
• Grand Final on Saturday, 29 May 2010

You will remember that Norway won the Eurovision trophy thanks to Alexander Rybak and his magnificent “Fairytale”, who, with the record 387 points easily brought Eurovision to Oslo.