EuroVisionary.com - Eurovision Song Contest 2008, Belgrade

With an actual war going on between Georgia and Russia many fans are rightfully asking themselves the question what will happen to the Eurovision Song Contest 2009? Will Russia still host it? Will either of them withdraw? Should EBU even react?

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has offically announced that Moscow will be the host city for the Eurovision Song Contest which will be held in May of 2009. The reference group will still have to officially agree, but they are not likely to disagree with the Russian proposal.

The Russian TV station Channel One has proposed to the EBU that the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest is to be held in Moscow. EBU’s reference group will still have to decide, but at the moment it looks like we will all be going to Moscow.

British newspapers have been filled with negative stories about Eurovision since Sunday morning last but while many have had little or no substance today's article about voting safeguards in the Times raises serious issues. 

The UK media continue to cover the story even though the EBU director has realised the error he made in criticising Terry Wogan's commentary and backtracked on his original scathing review of Britain's attitude to the contest. 

Sietse Bakker from Eurovision.tv recently got promoted as Manager of Communications & Public Relations for the Eurovision Family of Events at the EBU. EuroVisionary has talked to him about his new responsibility, the upcoming Contest and a bit about his private life as well.

The name Macedonia is a very troublesome one indeed and yet again the affect of the dispute is being felt in the Eurovision Song Contest.  The lyrics of Ireland's 2008 entry dared to include Macedonia in a list of countries that Dustin claims to love.

Yesterday was the day that most fans and national broadcasters dread with equal anxiety. A good draw can help you on your way to a good result but it can also set an entry up for a massive fall.

EBU decided to stick with Belgrade as the host city. They believe that with the extra security RTS has guaranteed there wont be any problems in helding the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade - despite the current situation with Kosovo.