Rehearsals

Yesterday was N day. N for Norway and it turned out to be quite a circus act in more than one way. The Eurovision Song Contest juice is also popular, but people are wondering where the water is... me, I am just happy that in two weeks I will never have to see a Russian hot dog again.

The system through which you apply for fan or press accreditation is now accepting applications. This year many will need a visa to enter Russia and it has therefore been build into the system. Other new things are that PF accreditation level has been dropped and that it is no longer possible to apply though other countries.

Finally it’s time for the first Semi final of Melodifestivalen 2009. Eurovisionary attended the first day of rehearsals to take the pulse on the artists. Eight artists will compete for two direct spots to the final. Among those are well known names such as Shirley Clamp, Emilia and Alcazar. 

Today was the last realistic opportunity for delegations to experiment with new ideas in their acts before the start of the full show rehearsals tomorrow.

Exactly a week to go before the Eurovision final and the rehearsals and press conferences continue apace. This morning, Tereza Kerndlova was the first to step on to the stage. She and her backing singers and dancers looked splendid in their predominantly silver outfits.

Today the Danish representative, Simon Mathew, celebrates his 25th birthday. It happens to be the day of the 2nd Danish rehearsal and on the following press conference he was greeted with three birthday songs, an English, a Danish and a Serbian one.

With still over a week to go before the Eurovision final, today was the sixth day of rehearsals in the Belgrade Arena. One of the favourites for the prize, Armenia, was on stage first.

The fifth day of rehearsals saw most of the countries participating in the first semi-final rehearse for the second time. The day started in the Balkans with Montenegro and ended, well, in the Balkans with Bosnia.

Yesterday,  the remaining countries in the second semi-final, from Latvia to Portugal, took to the stage and the press conference room, although not at the same time.

After two days of rehearsals and press conferences featuring the countries in the first semi-final, today those drawn first in the second semi-final rehearsed for the first time.