Moscow hosts a famous musical contest Eurovision-2009

Yesterday, in a sports complex «Olympic» was held the first semifinal of the musical contest «Eurovision-2009», which have gathered in Russia singers from 42 countries.

After the victory of a popular Russian singer Dima Bilan at last year's contest, held in Serbia, Russia has received a prestigious right to host the prestigious contest «Eurovision-2009». The competition will take place in Moscow, but for the right to conduct the contest except the Russian capital also fought St. Petersburg and Sochi. For the competition, the organizers had brought the most modern equipment of the best sites in Europe. It also should be noted that the face of the Russian contest «Eurovision» became Miss World Xenia Suhinova.

Eurovision organizers have made a number of innovations, changed in some way traditions settled for a long time of the existence of the competition. For example, for the first time in the history of the competition during the presentation broadcast video is dedicated not to the host side, Russia, but to the countries-participants. Voting system will also be changed: now the results of the contest will determine not only the audience, but also a specially gathered jury in each participating country. According to the general director of Channel One, a leader in the TV area of Russia, Konstantin Ernst, ««Eurovision» preserved for a long period of time during which it became a powerful contest. We need to make an amendment that the 21 century has come. It is сonnected not only with TV show but also with music».

The winners of the first semifinal were the representatives of Turkey, Sweden, Israel, Portugal, Malta, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Armenia and Iceland. The next semifinal of Eurovision -2009 will be held on 14 May. Final competition will be held on 16 May, also in «Olympic sports complex».