EuroVisionary.com - Everything you need to know about the Eurovision Song Contest - We welcome the 2009 Contest in Moscow

The participants have arrived to Cyprus and just like at the Eurovision Song Contest it means that it is time for final rehearsals to start. The official welcome party kicks off tonight and with the theme Fun in the sun everyone should have a great time on the Island where winter seems far away.

The music festival called Çeşme International Song Contest has started in Izmir, Turkey. This year is the 19th time the contest has been held in Turkey. Many popular singers and groups will perform on stage seperate from the contest. Among those are Ani Lorak and Ajda Pekkan.

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.

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 third day of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest meant the start for the 2nd semi-final. Hot tipped names such as Euroband, Charlotte Perrelli, Ani Lorak and Ruslan Alehno all gave a little performance on their press conference today.

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.

It appears like the Bulgarian participants become the eight 2008 Eurovision Song Contest act to be revealed as part of the line up for the UK Eurovision Preview party. The event, which is being billed as the biggest Eurovision event in London since 1977, will take place on Friday 25th April.

Our news update from the 28th of February 2008. Featuring pre selection songs from Finland and Sweden plus selected songs from Bulgaria, Iceland, Ukraine, Israel, Ireland, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Poland, Romania and Greece.