EuroVisionary.com - Eurovision Song Contest 2008, Belgrade

For the 2009 Danish final DR will introduce a jury to judge the songs together with the public voting. 10 songs will compete in a final on 31st of January 2009, but only six of them will be taken from the open selection.

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.

Greece traditionally has a miniature melodrama before deciding on their participant for the Eurovision Song Contest.  This year sees a break with that tradition as ERT have confirmed that Sakis Rouvas will once again be the Greek representative at the contest.

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.

Swedish broadcaster SVT aims to make a stronger connection between Melodifestivalen and the Eurovision Song Contest. This will bring better promotion for their participants and, hopefully, better results, although Charlotte Perrelli finished 18th despite a big European tour in private jet.

After a successful fifth place in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest NRK will now close the national selection for foreign songwriters. This will in particular affect the many Swedes who have seen the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix as an easier way to get through to the Eurovision Song Contest.

While preparing for the 2008 Contest, which will be held in Cyprus later this year, it was today announced that Ukraine won the bid for the 2009 edition. After hosting the Eurovision Song Contest three years ago Kyiv already has some experience to rely on.

After having won the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest Russia will be hosting the 2009 edition, but where will it be? It will be a difficult choice between their capital, Moscow and the more western styled Saint Petersburg.