After the drama of the semi-finals (especially the second one) the biggest night of the year finally arrived and it was time for the 58th Eurovision Song Contest from the Malmo Arena in Sweden.
Just as the debate around the first semi-final was dying down, it was time to do it all over again in the second semi-final, arguable the stronger of the two.
The postcards made for the Eurovision Song Contest have become an institution in their own right. Sometimes they reflect the life and times of the country that is hosting, sometimes they have a more abstract feel. This year, we repeat the theme of such years as 1996, when the performers are followed about their daily lives.
Fresh from correcting guessing seven out of the ten qualifiers from the first semi-final (be fair, it’s an improvement on last year) it’s time for me to guess who will emerge from then arguably stronger second semi-final on Thursday.
After the first round of press conferences yesterday, it was the turn of the acts appearing in the second semi-final to move into the spotlight and answer questions from media and fans.
Rock outfit Dorians for Armenia delivered a credible if rather ordinary performance of their plea for peace, Lonely Planet, during their first rehearsals. Would they implement any changes or choose to play it safe for their second round of rehearsals?
Gor Sujyan, one of the biggest rock singers of the country, will be flying the Armenian flag in Malmö. The song, which he will perform at the Eurovision Song Contest, will be the favourite of both the televote and the professional jury and the decision will be made on March 2.
This evening, Armenia chose sisters, Inga & Anush Arshakyanner, to succeed Sirusho, and travel to Moscow in May with the song, Jan Jan. 2007 Eurovision Song Contest representative Hayko were a guest star in the show singing Anytime You Need.
