Eurovision Song Contest 2008

Infobox Eurovision
name = Eurovision Song Contest 2008
theme = "Confluence of Sound"


final = 24 May 2008
semi1 = 20 May 2008
semi2 = 22 May 2008
presenters = Jovana Jankovićcite web |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=2793 |title=Jovana Janković & Željko Joksimović the hosts |publisher=Oikotimes.com |date=2008-03-04 |accessdate=2008-03-04]
Željko Joksimović
director = Sven Stojanovic
host = flagicon|SRB RTS
venue = Belgrade Arena, Belgrade, Serbiacite web |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=899&Itemid=239 |title=Welcome to Belgrade Arena. |publisher=Eurovision.tv |date=2007-05-13 |accessdate=2007-05-14]
winner = flag|Russia
"Believe"
vote = People in each country can vote by tele-vote or SMS. Each country's 10 favourite songs are awarded 12, 10, then 8 through to 1 points based on the votes of the population of each country. All participating countries in the semi-finals and final will have the right to cast points in the final.cite news |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9690 |title=Eurovision 2008 - format confirmed!|publisher=ESCToday.com |accessdate=2007-11-24]
entries = 43: 19 in each semi-final; 25 in the final (5 prequalified and 10 from each of the semi-finals)
debut = flag|Azerbaijan
flag|San Marino [cite news |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9694 |title=San Marino in Belgrade confirmed |publisher=ESCToday.com |date=21 November 2007 |accessdate=2007-11-21]
return = None
withdraw = flag|Austriacite news |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9678 |title=Austria will not go to Belgrade |publisher=ESCToday.com |date=2007-11-20 |accessdate=2007-11-20]
null = None
interval = Goran Bregović performance (Final)
Metropole Orkest, Slobodan Trkulja, Balkanopolis (SF1)
National Theatre in Belgrade performance (SF2) [cite web |url=http://www.evropesma.org/sr/node/1582 |title=ŠERIFOVIĆEVA I BREGOVIĆ U FINALU EVROVIZIJE |publisher=evropesma.org |date=2008-04-21 |accessdate=2008-04-21]
opening = Marija Šerifović performing "Molitva"(remix) (Final)
"Video killed a radio star" performance (SF1)
"Serbia for beginners" accompanied by Aleksandar Josipovic as a Master of Ceremonies (SF2) [cite web |url=http://blic.co.yu/zabava.php?id=42736 |title=Ukrajinka digla Arenu na noge]
con = Eurovision Song Contest
pre = ◄2007
nex = 2009►

The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, which was hosted by Serbia. The semi-finals were held on 20 May and 22 May, and the final was held on 24 May 2008 in the capital, Belgrade. Russia was declared the winner, with Jim Beanz and Dima Bilan's song "Believe" performed by Bilan. The Belgrade Arena, venue for the Contest, is among the largest indoor arenas in Europe, with a total capacity of more than 20,000 seats. Serbia gained the right to host the Contest after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinki, Finland. The host broadcaster was RTS.

At a press conference in Helsinki in May 2007, Svante Stockselius, executive supervisor of the Contest for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that the competition's format may be expanded to two semi-finals in 2008 or 2009.cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9024 |title=Two semi finals in 2008 |publisher=ESCToday.com |date=2007-07-31 |accessdate=2007-05-14] On 28 September 2007 it was announced that the EBU had approved the plan of hosting two semi-finals in 2008. [cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9327 |title=Eurovision: 2 semi finals confirmed! |publisher=ESCToday.com |date=2007-07-31 |accessdate=2007-07-31] The 2008 contest's official website opened on 15 January 2008. For the first time ever, Eurovision.tv streamed national finals on ESCTV with broadcasters' permission. [cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10133 |title=Revamped eurovision.tv site launched! |publisher=ESCToday.com |date=2008-01-15 |accessdate=2008-01-15] On 30 January 2008, Eurovision.tv revealed the theme of the Contest: "The Confluence of Sound".cite web |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=430 |title=Belgrade 2008: The Confluence Of Sound |publisher=Eurovision.tv |accessdate=2008-01-30]

On 14 September 2007, the Mayor of Helsinki handed over the "Eurovision keys" to the Deputy of Belgrade. This ceremony is meant to be a tradition from now on, and the ring contains a key from every city that has ever hosted the competition. [cite web |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/content/view/892/262/ |title=Belgrade received Helsinki city keys |publisher=Eurovision.tv |date=2007-09-14 |accessdate=2007-09-19]

Due to problems and riots in Belgrade following the declaration of independence by Kosovo on 22 February 2008, the EBU held a phone conference to decide if the contest should be moved to a different country. Ukraine was considered an option since they came second in Eurovision Song Contest 2007. YLE were another option, as they hosted last year's competition in Helsinki, Finland. [cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10597 |title='Helsinki could host Eurovision again' |publisher=ESCToday.com |date=2008-02-22 |accessdate=2008-02-22] ERT also offered the EBU to host the contest in Athens, Greece again. [cite web |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=2658 |title=WEBU holds phone conference to decide host city |publisher=Oikotimes.com |date=2008-02-2] |accessdate=2008-02-22] It was later decided that the contest would stay in Belgrade, with the EBU giving support. RTS would gain a guarantee of safety and security from the government of Serbia for all visitors and participants of the contest. [cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10601 |title=Eurovision 2008: Set to stay in Belgrade |publisher=esctoday.com |date=2008-02-22 |accessdate=2008-02-22] The delegations of Croatia, Israel and Albania had special security. [cite web |url=http://www.vreme.com.mk/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=5&tabid=1&EditionID=1356&ArticleID=87845 |title=ЕВРОВИЗИЈА ПОД СИЛНО ОБЕЗБЕДУВАЊЕ: Во Белград ќе се пее со страв |publisher=vreme.com.mk |date=2008-02-22 |accessdate=2008-02-22] The show was hosted by Jovana Janković and Željko Joksimović. [cite web |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=2793 |title=Jovana Janković & Željko Joksimović the hosts |publisher=Oikotimes.com |date=2008-03-04 |accessdate=2008-03-04] Jelena Tomašević represented Serbia with a song composed by Joksimović; this led to debate over his role in the contest. [cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/10859 |title=Serbia: Zeljiko's double role in question |publisher=ESCtoday.com |date=2008-03-13 |accessdate=2008-03-13]

Visual design

RTS ran a competition that led to the creation of the 2008 Contest's branding, logo and the stage. [cite web |url=http://ww1.rts.co.yu/euro/kategorija_vesti.asp?IDCategory=5 |title=Serbia 2008: THE WINNER OF THE LOCAL OPEN COMPETITION FOR THE SUBLOGO – CODE MAMA 2008 |publisher=RTS.co.yu |date=2007-07-05 |accessdate=2007-07-05] The theme of the Contest was based around the "confluence of sound". This was symbolic as Belgrade lies on the confluence of two European rivers, the Sava and Danube. The logo chosen, a treble clef, formed the graphical basis of the design created by Boris Miljković. [cite web |url=http://www.blic.co.yu/zabava.php?id=28773 |title=Izabran novi logo za „Evrosong“ u Beogradu |publisher=blic.co.yu |date=2007-07-05 |accessdate=2008-02-01]

The postcards in the first and second semi-final were based around the creation of the flag of the nation that was to perform next. The creation of the flag would occur by the interaction of at least two people. Each post card had a short story related to it regarding Belgrade and its people. During each postcard a short letter written by the musician of the upcoming performing country was displayed. All were in the national language of the artist’s country, with the exception of the Serbian postcard, which consisted of "Welcome to Belgrade" and "Welcome to Serbia" in various languages. The postcards were brought to an end by a stamp with this year's Eurovision logo.

According to RTS the stage represented native identities, history and modern themes, symbols and universally recognised messages. The "confluence"-themed stage also contained a large number of television and LCD display screens. The stage had settings for all new electronic possibilities including some movable parts of the stage. [cite web |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/9410 |title=Eurovision 2008: Full stage image - The Sava, the Danube & Kalemegdan |publisher=ESCToday.com |date=2007-10-10 |accessdate=2007-10-10] It was designed by Chicago-based David Cushing.

The first semi-final was created around a city theme. The contest opened with a panorama of the city of Belgrade forming in the stage's background with two waves sliding down the stage to meet in the centre - at the confluence, the overall theme of the contest.

The second semi-final was based around the theme of water, which was enhanced by the look of the stage during the interval act where the water formed the main colours of the stage.

The final was based on the theme of the confluence. Construction of the stage lasted several days and was carried out by various teams from across Europe. Pyrotechnics were heavily used for the entries from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Turkey, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. The stage received positive feedback from the media and fans describing it as "one of the best looking stages in the history of the competition". [cite web |url=http://www.lyricstranslations.com/eurovision/eurovision-stage |title=Eurovision 2008 Stage |publisher=lyricstranslations.com |date=2008-05-18 |accessdate=2008-05-18]

Format

Based on research conducted by the EBU's tele-voting partner Digame, the semi-finalists were sorted into the two heats through the drawing of lots, which was seeded to keep countries that have a significant history of voting for each other apart.Fact|date=March 2008 Each broadcaster had to broadcast the semi-final in which they took part, with the broadcasting of the other semi-final being optional. The draw for the semi-final allocation occurred in the Belgrade City Hall on Monday 28 January 2008 at 13:00 CET and was conducted by dancers from the National Dance Ensemble KOLO. First, two envelopes with 'Semi-Final 1' and 'Semi-Final 2' were drawn. Then, three countries from each pot were chosen randomly to take part in the first semi-final and the other three in the second one. The country left in Pot 5 took part in the first envelope that is drawn. While, the country left in Pot 6 in the second one. [cite web |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news/belgrade-2008?id=416 |title=All you need to know for Monday's draw! |publisher=Eurovision.tv |accessdate=2008-01-24]

The automatic finalist countries chose whether they would broadcast both semi-finals or just one, but viewers from these countries could only vote in one. From the draw conducted, it was decided which of the five finalist countries would broadcast and have voting rights in either of the events. The semi-finals were webcast live through Eurovision.tv. [cite news |url=http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=1045 |title=Svante Stockselius explains the new format |publisher=Oikotimes.com |accessdate=2007-07-09] The top nine songs from the televoting qualified for the final, and a tenth was determined by the back-up juries. Twenty-five songs competed in the final.

Semi-final allocation

On 24 January 2008, all 38 countries in the semi-finals were separated into the following pots based on voting history "and" geographical location:

Semi-final 2

* The second semi-final was held on 22 May 2008
* Peach indicates countries which qualified for the final
* Flax denotes the entry chosen by the jury to go to the final

Final

Gallery

Olta Boka performing "Zemrën E Lamë Peng" for Albania
Gisela performing "Casanova" for Andorra
Sirusho performing "Qele Qele" for Armenia
Elnur and Samir performing "Day After Day" for Azerbaijan
Ruslan Alekhno performing "Hasta La Vista" for Belarus
Ishtar performing "O Julissi" for Belgium
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Laka performing "Pokušaj" for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Deep Zone and Balthazar performing "DJ, Take Me Away" for Bulgaria
Kraljevi Ulice and 75 cents performing "Romanca" for Croatia
Tereza Kerndlová performing "Have Some Fun" for Czech Republic
Evdokia Kadi performing "Femme Fatale" for Cyprus
Simon Mathew performing All Night Long for Denmark
Kreisiraadio performing Leto Svet for Estonia
Sébastien Tellier performing "Divine for France
Teräsbetoni performing "Missä miehet ratsastaa" for Finland
Diana Gurtskaya performing "Peace Will Come" for Georgia
No Angels performing "Disappear" for Germany
Kalomira performing "Secret Combination" for Greece
Csézy performing "Candlelight" for Hungary
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Euroband performing "This Is My Life" for Iceland
Dustin the Turkey performing "Irelande Douze Pointe" for Ireland
Boaz performing "The Fire In Your Eyes" for Israel
Pirates of the Sea performing "Wolves of the Sea" for Latvia
Jeronimas Milius performing "Nomads in the Night" for Lithuania
Tamara, Vrčak and Adrijanperforming "Let Me Love You" for FYR Macedonia
Morena performing "Vodka" for Malta
Geta Burlacu performing "A Century Of Love" for Moldova
Stefan Filipović performing "Zauvijek volim te for Montenegro
Hind performing "Your Heart Belongs to Me" for The Netherlands
Maria Haukaas Storeng performing "Hold On Be Strong" for Norway
Isis Gee performing "For Life" for Poland
Vânia Fernandes performing "Senhora do Mar" for Portugal
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Nico and Vlad performing "Pe-o Margine de Lume" for Romania
Dima Bilan performing "Believe" for Russia
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Miodio performing "Complice" for San Marino
Rebeka Dremelj performing "Vrag naj vzame" for Slovenia
Rodolfo Chikilicuatre performing "Baila el Chiki Chiki" for Spain
Charlotte Perrelli performing "Hero" for Sweden
Paolo Meneguzzi performing "Era stupendo" for Switzerland
Mor ve Ötesi performing "Deli" for Turkey
Ani Lorak performing "Shady Lady" for Ukraine
Andy Abraham performing "Even If" for the United Kingdom

Notes

External links

* [http://www.eurovision.tv Eurovision Song Contest]
* [http://ww1.rts.co.yu/euro/Default.asp Radio Television of Serbia: Eurovision Song Contest] sr icon
* [http://www.eurovisionserbia.tv Official Serbian Eurovision website] sr icon
* [http://raph3000.skyrock.com Eurovision Song Contest - European TV Ratings & Results]