So the 2011 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is barely over and moves are already underway for the 57th Eurovision Song Contest. So far we have a logo and location city.

We also have some prelimary dates for your calender.

• Semi Final 1: 22nd May 2012
• Semi Final 2: 24th May 2012
• Final: 26th May 2012

So far 8 countries have confirmed their participation in Eurovision next year. They are:

• Austria
• Azarbaijan (host)
• Belgium
• Estonia
• Finland
• Germany
• Netherlands
• Switzerland

In 2009/2010 Azerbaijan was suppoesed to host the 3rd Eurovision Dance Contest. This was cancelled due to not enough interest. It is doubtful that this will happen to next years contest, but it means that ?ctimai Television have an idea of what they have to organise in 12 months time.

So who is going to Baku?

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Its all over, and I for one has recovered form the Eurovision! But I think there is a number of points that need to be made!

Jedward gave an excellent performance on Saturday and I for one cannot remember the last time that Ireland got 12 points from more then one country! The fact that we came 8th in both our Semi and the final shows consistency and great performances by the lads and the entire Irish Delegation.

The last time we did better was in 2000 when Eamonn Toal came 6th with “Millenium of Love”, Brian Kennedy got us to 10th in 2006 with “Every Song is a Cry for Love”. So fair play to the boys for returning Ireland to the the top of the Eurovision award.

Also before the Final, Jedward were awarded the Marcel Bezençon Artistic Award. This was voted upon by the 43 commentators. So at least they are not going home empty handed!

Also Austrailian viewers of Eurovision who watched the final on Sunday evening on SBS voted Jedward the winners. So we have a moral victory there!

So to Jedward, you did us proud! Hopefully we will build on your success next year in Azerbaijan.

So tomorrow sees the Second Semi Final of the Eurovision Song Contest. For us in Ireland it is extremely important as Jedward will be flying the flag for Ireland and of course we get to vote! As well as the 19 countries that will be battling it out France, Germany and Italy will be voting in this Semi.

So who are we up against?

01 Bosnia and Herzegovina Dino Merlin “Love in Rewind“

An interesting entry from Bosnia. A nice love song. It did impress me. Should qualify.

02 Austria Nadine Beiler “The Secret Is Love”
Austria also enter a Love song. This is a strong modern ballad, which has a bit of Disney influence. Nadine is a good singer and with very few ballads in the competition it may do well. A lot of ballads qualified last year, so it looks good for Austria

03 Netherlands 3JS “Never Alone”
This year the Netherlands are sending 3JS. This three piece band have a nice sound. It is very mainstream Pop/Rock. Its very hit and miss for the Netherlands lately and the early draw means it may be forgotten about with the uptemp songs still to come.

04 Belgium Witloof Bay “With Love Baby”
This year Belgium are entering an Acapella song after an experimental national final. Not the first acapella song in Eurovision, Latvia did enter one in 2006. This reminds me a bit of that entry, but this been a male and female group gives it a different sound. I am not a fan of it, but it may grow on me.

05 Slovakia TWiiNS “I’m Still Alive”
This is a fantatsic pop song from Slovkia. I really enjoyed it. Should be a strong contender. Definately will qualify.

06 Ukraine Mika Newton “Angels”
A modern ballad from Ukraine. A nice entry, but may find it hard to stick out with the uptemp songs to come.

07 Moldova Zdob si Zdub “So Lucky”
I must say I always look forward to Moldova’s entry as they are always entertaining. This year is no exception. I have no idea how to describe the band apart from they were here before with their Grandmother! But it is an uptempo rock number that is full of energy! Should provide a great perfromance on the night.

08 Sweden Eric Saade “Popular”
Eric Saade finally makes it to Eurovision! I must say I have been a fan of his since last year’s Melodifestivalen. And hes a ride! (back on topic spiller! – ed) This song is a really uptempo pop number and very different to last years entry which didnt do so well. This is a strong contender to qualify. (Though some do disagree!)

09 Cyprus Christos Mylordos “San Aggelos S’Agapisa”

Cyprus has entered a very traditional meditterean song. I for one am not impressed with it. Also with the UK, Greece and Turkey missing from this Semi, Cyprus could find it hard to qualify.

10 Bulgaria Poli Genova “Na Inat”
Bulgaria have entered an excellent song this here in “Na Inat”. I really enjoy this number. With a number of “neighbours” in this semi (Romania and Moldova) could do well and qualify.

11 Macedonia Vlatko Ilievski “Rusinka“
Macedonia have gone modern this year! Normally they enter very traditional Balkan songs, but this year, while sounding traditional, it is quite modern. They have learned from their Greek neighbours. Could do well going by Greece last night

12 Israel Dana International “Ding Dong”

Shes back! The Girl who opened the closet on Eurovision! She is repeating the tactic of singing in English and Hebrew and it sounds good, but will the song let her down? Its a fun song, but is that enough this year?

13 Slovenia Maja Keuc “No One”
And here we have a Ballad from Slovenia. Its a very strong ballad. Though Ballads can get lost on the massive stage in Düsseldorf. Though this is nice an with Switzerland getting through, it might bode well for Slovenia.

14 Romania Hotel FM “Change“
This song has grown on me a lot since the National Final in Romania. This is really good song and one that I think will definately qualify!

15 Estonia Getter Jaani “Rockefeller Street“
This is one of the Pre-Contest favourites and for good reason! A really uptempo and cool song! I personally love this one! It has my vote!

16 Belarus Anastasia Vinnikova “I Love Belarus”
So Belarus have decided to enter a song that will also feature on their tourist ads? Or just one to sing to their dictator? This song is a fun rock song. Though Belarus could find it hard to qualify with Russia being missing from this semi.

17 Latvia Musiqq “Angel in Disguise”
Now if this doesnt qualify, there is something wrong with the presentation on the night. I am loving this song.

18 Denmark A Friend In London “New Tomorrow“
This is a nice song, though sandwiched between two uptempo songs, but it is distinctive enough and should be impressive on stage and may sneak through!

19 Ireland Jedward “Lipstick”
At the start I was not enamoured by this song at all, but now I love it! I think they can go all the way! Go on JEDWARD!

So that is 19 entries. So which ten will qualify? My ten are:

• Ireland
• Estonia
• Sweden
• Latvia
• Slovakia
• Bulgaria
• Romania
• Ukraine
• Israel
• Macedonia

Do you agree? Disagree? Have a go yourself!

Remember to tune into RTE 2, BBC 3 or BBC HD to watch the show from 8pm BST tomorrow night!

Related articles

• The First Qualifiers (escireland.com)
• Liveblogging and Predicting the Eurovision! (escireland.com)
• How to take part in our liveblog! (escireland.com)
• My Predictions (escireland.com)

So tonight will see the first Semi-final of the 56th Eurovision Song Contest in Dusseldorf! As part of our coverage an interactive live blog will be hosted by ESCIreland. The eagle eyed among you may have noticed that it is on the right of the website! So you can take part right here!

There are other ways also!

You can take part via the CoveritLive website. Just do a search for “ESCIreland Liveblog ESC Semi 1″.

You don’t have to be at your computer to take part! You can use your phone!

Coveritlive have apps for your smartphone!

Download your Android App or Iphone App and take part where ever you are!

You can also join in via twitter! Just use the hashtag #esc11

Im all excited about tonight, I hope you are too and will share that excitement with us!

Dont forget to Predict your Qualifiers!

Related articles

• Liveblogging and Predicting the Eurovision! (escireland.com)
• Jedward’s Second Rehearsal (escireland.com)
• Running Order announced (escireland.com)

Well with over 24 hours to the start of the this years shows its about time I posted my preview and make a prediction for this years Eurovision Song Contest.

So tomorrow we have our first Semi Final. 19 countries battling it out for 10 places in the final. As well as the participants Spain and the United Kingdom will be voting in this semi.

This afternoon a draw took place to allocate places in the semi finals of this years Eurovision Song Contest. The results of the draw is as follows:

First Semi-Final

First half

• Albania
• Armenia
• Finland
• Georgia
• Norway
• Poland
• Russia
• Serbia
• Switzerland
• Turkey

Second half

• Azerbaijan
• Croatia
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Lithuania
• Malta
• Portugal
• San Marino

Second Semi-Final

First half

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bosnia & Herzegovina
• Cyprus
• Moldova
• Slovakia
• Sweden
• The Netherlands
• Ukraine

Second half

• Belarus
• Bulgaria
• Denmark
• Estonia
• FYR Macedonia
• Ireland
• Israel
• Latvia
• Romania
• Slovenia

For the big five, they will vote in the following Semi-Finals

First Semi Final

• Spain
• United Kingdom

Second Semi Final

• France
• Germany
• Italy

Israel had requested to be in the Second Semi Final due to a religious holiday and the EBU granted this request. Germany requested that it be allowed to vote in the Second Semi Final due to scheduling arrangements and this was also granted by the EBU.

The starting order draw will take place at a Heads of Delegation Meeting in March.

As part of its New Years Celebration Romania’s TVR has picked its entry for the this year’s Eurovision Song Contest last night.

Winning the contest was Hotel FM with the song Change. They came second in the public vote and came first on the jury vote finishing with 22 votes. Its a great song and I think its one that grows on people and so the more I hear the more I like it.

Hotel FM came fourth last year at Romania’s National Final. They were formed in 2005 and have toured in Romania and Germany. They are a three piece band made up of David Bryan (singer), Gabriel B?ru?a (piano) and Alex Szus (drums).

Related articles

• 43 Countries for Dusseldorf (escireland.com)
• New Intro for Eurovision (escireland.com)

The EBU today has announced the 43 countries that will be taken part in the 56th Eurovision Song Contest. They are as follows:

1. Albania (RTVSH)
2. Armenia (AMPTV)
3. Austria (ORF)
4. Azerbaijan (Ictimai TV)
5. Belarus (BTRC)
6. Belgium (RTBF)
7. Bosnia & Herzegovina (BHRT)
8. Bulgaria (BNT)
9. Croatia (HRT)
10. Cyprus (CyBC)
11. Denmark (DR)
12. Estonia (ERR)
13. Finland (YLE)
14. France (France TV)
15. FYR Macedonia (MKRTV)
16. Georgia (GEGT)
17. Germany (NDR/ARD) (Host Broadcaster)
18. Greece (ERT)
19. Hungary (MTV)
20. Iceland (RÚV)
21. Ireland (RTÉ)
22. Israel (IBA)
23. Italy (RAI)
24. Latvia (LTV)
25. Lithuania (LRT)
26. Malta (PBS)
27. Moldova (TRM)
28. The Netherlands (TROS)
29. Norway (NRK)
30. Poland (TVP)
31. Portugal (RTP)
32. Romania (TVR)
33. Russia (C1R)
34. San Marino (SMRTV)
35. Serbia (RTS)
36. Slovakia (STV)
37. Slovenia (RTVSLO)
38. Spain (RTVE)
39. Sweden (SVT)
40. Switzerland (SRG/SSR)
41. Turkey (TRT)
42. Ukraine (NTU)
43. United Kingdom (BBC)

43 is equal to the record set in 2008 for most entries to the contest.

The EBU have also confirmed that Italy will automatically be qualified for the final. This means the “Big Four” becomes the “Big Five”. They have also confirmed that the final will have 25 entries, 10 from each semi.

Its going to be a great year!

Related articles

• New Intro for Eurovision (escireland.com)
• Sweet Mother of God….NO! (escireland.com)
• Bella Italia makes a return! (escireland.com)
• Iceland – Is It True? Why Yes, Yes it is! (escireland.com)

The Logo introduced in 2004 which has the "heart" at the centre for National Flags to be displayed

Tonight Albania becomes the first country to broadcast the new intro for the Eurovision Song Contest. It will be shown before the fist semi-final of Festivali i Kenges 2010 which takes place tonight on RTSH at 20:30CET.

The intro was designed by Sascha Verwiebe a German graphic designer who has previously worked for German ZDF, Danish TV2, Deutsche Bahn, Microsoft and others.

The EBU wish to raise the profile of the “heart” logo that they introduced in 2004. This year the use of the intro will be voluntary but from 2012 all National Finals must use this as their intro.

It has now been distributed to all participating member states to use with their national flag in the “heart” so expect to see it a lot in the run up to Düsseldorf!

From ESCDaily.com

After 3 years of “silence”, Austria is coming back to the Eurovision Song Contest. The biggest Austrian radio station, Hitradio Ö3, is going to organize a national final to choose the Austrian Eurovision entrant.

From this month on, the event will be promoted on the radio station. The goal is to find 9 regional winners (from Steiermark, Kärnten, Vienna, Salzburg, Burgenland, Oberösterreich, Niderösterreich, Voralberg, and Tirol) by February, which will enter the national final. At the same time, composers are invited to send in their songs.

The Austrian television broadcaster, ÖRF, is also considering of entering participants from its talent show for young people, called “Helden von Morgen” (The heroes of tomorrow) to the national final selection.

Its great to see Austria coming back when the Contest will be taking place in Germany. Im looking forward to the final in February.