Eurovision Song Contest 2009

Location

The contest was held in Russia following its victory in the in Belgrade, Serbia, with "Believe" by Dima Bilan. Vladimir Putin, then-Prime Minister of Russia, stated that the contest would be held in Moscow.

It was proposed by Channel One that the contest be held in Moscow's Olimpiyskiy Arena, and this proposal was evaluated by the EBU and confirmed on 13 September 2008. The Director-General of the venue, Vladimir Churilin, refuted rumours of an emergency reconstruction of the building, saying: "It will not be required for the Eurovision Song Contest. We now can take up to 25 thousand spectators."

Participants

Following the release of the final participants list by the EBU, 42 countries confirmed their participation in the 2009 contest, including , which returned to the contest after 11 years. originally announced that it was not to participate in the contest due to the Russo-Georgian War in protest of the foreign policies of Russia, but later reversed its decision after its win in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2008, where Russia awarded it the maximum score of 12 points. The country eventually withdrew from the contest due to its entry being deemed to contain political references, including in the title a play on words of Russia's prime minister's surname.

Rumours arose surrounding the participation and return of and . Télé Monte Carlo (TMC), the Monegasque broadcaster, confirmed that there were talks with the EBU over its return to the 2009 contest. At the same time, rumours spread that San Marino's broadcaster, Radiotelevisione della Repubblica di San Marino (SMRTV), would not participate due to poor placing at the 2008 contest. In the end, after originally confirming their intent to participate in Moscow, SMRTV was forced to withdraw from the event due to financial difficulties that prevented a second entry.

The Latvian broadcaster, Latvijas Televīzija (LTV), had reportedly withdrawn from the 2009 contest on 17 December 2008, three days after the final participation deadline. This came about due to budget cuts of over 2 million lati (2.8 million euros) from the LTV budget, hindering their ability to pay the participation fee. LTV confirmed that they had informed the EBU of their intent to withdraw based solely on financial difficulties. LTV then went into discussions with the EBU in an attempt to find a solution that would keep them in the contest. On 20 December 2008, LTV announced that it would be withdrawing, and that both the EBU and Channel One had agreed not to force a financial penalty on the late withdrawal of the broadcaster from the 2009 contest. LTV also announced its intent to be at the 2010 contest. However, on 12 January 2009, it was announced that Latvia would participate in the 2009 contest. Each participating broadcaster chose its entry for the contest through its own selection process. Some of them selected their entry through an internal selection, where they chose both the song and artist, while others held national finals where the public chose the song, the artist, or both.

Thirty-seven countries participated in one of the two semi-finals of the contest. The semi-final allocation draw took place on 30 January 2009, while the draw for the running order was held on 16 March 2009.

Several of the performing artists had previously represented the same country in past editions: Chiara had represented and ; Sakis Rouvas had represented and had hosted the ; and Petr Elfimov had provided backing vocals for . In addition, Martina representing Slovenia, had provided backing vocals for , , and ; Alexandros Panayi providing backing vocals for Greece, had represented and as part of Voice, and had provided backing vocals for and , and for ; and Friðrik Ómar providing backing vocals for Iceland, had represented the country as part of Euroband.

Format

Thirty-seven countries participated in one of the two semi-finals of the contest, with the "Big Four" countries (, , , and the ) and the host () pre-qualified for the final. In addition to those pre-qualified, the final also included the ten selected countries from each semi-final, making a total of twenty-five participants.

A discussion on changes to the format of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest had taken place at an EBU meeting in Athens, Greece, in June 2008 where a proposal was made that could have resulted in the "Big Four" losing their automatic place in the final of the contest. However, it was confirmed that the "Big Four" countries would continue to automatically qualify for the final at the 2009 contest.

Graphic design

Host broadcaster Channel One presented the sub-logo and theme for the 2009 contest on 30 January 2009. The sub-logo is based upon a "Fantasy Bird", which can be used with many colours. As in previous years, the sub-logo was presented alongside the generic logo. 2009 is the only year since the introduction of slogans in not to have one.

The stage was designed by New York-based set designer John Casey, and was based around the theme of contemporary Russian avant-garde. Casey, who had previously designed the stage for the Eurovision Song Contest 1997 in Dublin, was also involved in design teams for the 1994 and 1995 contests. He explained that "even before [he] worked with the Russians on the TEFI Awards in Moscow in 1998, [he] was inspired by and drawn to art from the Russian Avant Garde period, especially the constructivists... [He] tried to come up with a theatrical design for the contest that incorporates Russian avant-garde art into a contemporary setting, almost entirely made up of different types of LED screens." Casey explained that together, the various LED shapes form the finished product. Furthermore, large sections of the stage can move, including the circular central portion of curved LED screens, which can be moved to effect and allow each song to have a different feel.

Postcards

The music accompanying the postcards used to introduce each participating country was written and produced by British electronic musician Matthew Herbert.

The postcards opened with the words "Moskva 2009" (Москва 2009), the transliterated Russian way to say "Moscow 2009". It continued with the appearance of Miss World 2008, Ksenia Sukhinova of Russia, and then a group of famous landmarks from the participating country were shown in computer animation. The animation would simulate a pop-up book, with each "page turn" showing different landmarks. Then Sukhinova reappeared again, wearing a hat comprising all of the landmarks shown (as well as having different hairstyle & make-up each time) and a T-shirt with the colours of the respective country's flag. The Russian video had the exact appearance of Sukhinova shown in the first part of every video, and no different hairstyle was shown for the Russian entry.

Then, on the right, the 2009 contest logo appeared with the name and the flag of the country. Finally a phrase in transliterated Russian word and its English translation were shown. The words shown were as were as following, listed in alphabetical order:

• AlbaniaIkra (ИкраCaviar)
• AndorraPotselui (ПоцелуйKiss)
• ArmeniaSibir (СибирьSiberia)
• AzerbaijanValenki (ВаленкиWinter boots)
• BelarusKaravai (КаравайRound loaf of bread)
• BelgiumVeselo (ВеселоCheerfully)
• Bosnia and HerzegovinaBud zdorov (Будь здоровBless you!)
• BulgariaKrasota (КрасотаBeauty)
• CroatiaMatryoshka (МатрешкаRussian doll)
• CyprusDruzhba (ДружбаFriendship)
• Czech RepublicPrivet! (Привет!Hi!)
• DenmarkDed Moroz (Дед МорозSanta Claus)
• EstoniaGagarin (Гагарин
• FinlandNa zdarovie! (На здоровье!Cheers!)
• FranceLublu (ЛюблюLove)
• GermanyPoehali! (Поехали!Let's go!)
• GreeceVsego dobrogo (Всего доброгоGood luck)
• HungaryMir (МирPeace/World)
• IcelandSneg (СнегSnow)
• IrelandBalalaika (БалалайкаMusic instrument)
• IsraelHorosho (ХорошоGood/OK)
• LatviaBorsch (БорщBeetroot soup)
• LithuaniaKosmos (КосмосSpace)
• MacedoniaKlassno (КлассноGreat/Cool)
• MaltaSkazka (СказкаFairytale)
• MoldovaChudo (ЧудоMiracle)
• MontenegroDobro pojalovat! (Добро пожаловать!Welcome!)
• NetherlandsZima (ЗимаWinter)
• NorwayBabushka (БабушкаGrandmother)
• PolandVecherinka (ВечеринкаParty)
• PortugalPozhalusta (ПожалуйстаPlease)
• RomaniaTantsui (ТанцуйDance)
• RussiaDavai-davai (Давай-давайCome on!)
• SerbiaSchastie (СчастьеHappiness)
• SlovakiaMedved (МедведьBear)
• SloveniaVmeste (ВместеTogether)
• SpainSpasibo (СпасибоThank you)
• SwedenMuzika (МузыкаMusic)
• SwitzerlandVesna (ВеснаSpring)
• TurkeyKak dela (Как делаHow are you?)
• UkraineShick! (Шик!Glamour)
• United KingdomZazhigai! (Зажигай!Let's rock!)

Semi-final allocation draw

On Friday 30 January 2009, the draw to decide which countries would appear in either the first or second semi-final took place at the Marriott Royal Aurora Hotel. The participating countries excluding the automatic finalists (France, Germany, host country Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom) were split into six pots, based upon how those countries have been voting. From these pots, half (or as close to half as is possible) competed in the first semi-final on 12 May 2009. The other half in that particular pot will compete in the second semi-final on 14 May 2009. The draw for the running order of the semi-finals, finals, and the order of voting, occurred on 16 March 2009 at Cosmos Hotel.

Voting system

In response to some broadcasters' continued complaints about politically charged, neighbourly and diaspora voting, the EBU evaluated the voting procedure used in the contest, with the possibility of a change in the voting system for 2009. Contest organisers sent a questionnaire regarding the voting system to participating broadcasters, and a reference group incorporated the responses into their suggestions for next year's format. Telewizja Polska (TVP), the Polish broadcaster, suggested that an international jury similar to the one used in the Eurovision Dance Contest 2008 be introduced in the Eurovision Song Contest to lessen the impact of neighbourly voting and place more emphasis on the artistic value of the song. A jury would lead to less political and diaspora voting as the jury members, mandated to be music industry experts, would also have a say in addition to "random members of the public".

It was decided that for the contest final, each country's votes would be decided by a combination of 50% televoting results and 50% national jury. The method of selecting the semi-final qualifiers remained the same for the most part, with nine countries, instead of the ten as in years past, qualifying from each semi-final based on the televoting results. For the tenth qualifier from each semi-final, the highest placed country on the back-up jury scoreboard that had not already qualified, was chosen for the final. At the final, each country combined their 1–7, 8, 10, 12 points from the televote with their 1–7, 8, 10, 12 jury points to create their "national scorecard". The country with the most points received 12 points, the second placed country received 10 points, the third placed country received 8 points and so on to 1 points. If a tie arose, the song with the higher televote position was given the advantage and the higher point value. National juries were originally phased out of the contest beginning in 1997, with televoting having become mandatory for nearly all participants since 2003.

Edgar Böhm, director of entertainment for Austria's public broadcaster Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF), has stated that the 2008 format with two semi-finals "still incorporates a mix of countries who will be politically favoured in the voting process," and "that, unless a clear guideline as to how the semifinals are organised is made by the EBU, Austria will not be taking part in Moscow 2009." Despite the inclusion of jury voting in the final, Austria did not return to the contest in 2009.

Juries

Each of the 42 participating broadcasters assembled a jury of five music industry professionals (including one jury chairperson) that judged the entries taking part in the Final. Their decision was based on the second dress rehearsal. The names of the jury members was revealed by each broadcaster before or during the Final.

• Each jury member of each national jury made a ranking of their ten favourite songs and awarded points from 1 to 8, 10 and 12 points. The chairperson allocated 12 points to the song having obtained the highest number of votes from all jury members, 10 points to the song having obtained the second highest number of votes, 8 points to the song having obtained the third highest number of votes, 7 points to the next, and so on down to 1 point for the song having obtained the tenth highest number of votes from all jury members. In the event of a tie for any of the above positions, the order of the tying songs was ascertained by a show of hands by the jury members (abstentions were not allowed).
• The jury consisted of a variety of members in terms of age, gender, and background. All jury members were citizens of the country they were representing.
• None of the jury members must be connected with any of the participating songs/artists in such a way that they could not vote independently. The participating broadcasters sent a letter of compliance with the voting instructions together with signed declarations by each jury member stating that they would vote independently. The jury voting was monitored by an independent notary and auditor in each country.

Contest overview

Semi-final 1

The first semi final took place on 12 May 2009 at 23:00 MST (21:00 CEST). All the countries competing in this semi-final were eligible to vote, plus United Kingdom and Germany. Before its withdrawal, Georgia was originally drawn to perform in this semi-final. The highlighted countries qualified for the final.

Semi-final 2

The second semi final took place on 14 May 2009 at 23:00 MST (21:00 CEST). All the countries competing in this semi-final were eligible to vote, plus France, Russia and Spain. However, Spain used jury vote instead of televoting, as the semi-final was aired late due to scheduling conflicts at Televisión Española (TVE), and Spanish viewers were not able to vote. The highlighted countries qualified for the final.

Final

The finalists were:

• the "Big Four" countries (, , , and the );
• the host country ();
• the top nine countries from the first semi-final plus one wildcard from the juries;
• the top nine countries from the second semi-final plus one wildcard from the juries.

The final took place in Moscow on 16 May 2009 at 23:00 MST (21:00 CEST) and was won by Norway. 25 countries participated in the final and all 42 participants voted.

Norway won with 387 points, winning both the jury vote and the televote. Iceland came second with 218 points, with Azerbaijan, Turkey, United Kingdom, Estonia, Greece, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Armenia completing the top ten. Sweden, Malta, Lithuania, Spain and Finland occupied the bottom five positions.

Spokespersons

Each participating broadcaster appointed a spokesperson who was responsible for announcing, in English or French, the votes for its respective country. The voting order and spokespersons during the final were as follows:

1. Spain
2. BelgiumMaureen Louys
3. Belarus
4. MaltaPauline Agius
5. GermanyThomas Anders
6. Czech RepublicPetra Šubrtová
7. SwedenSarah Dawn Finer
8. IcelandÞóra Tómasdóttir
9. FranceYann Renoard
10. IsraelOfer Nachshon
11. RussiaIngeborga Dapkūnaitė
12. LatviaRoberto Meloni
13. MontenegroJovana Vukčević
14. AndorraBrigits García
15. FinlandJari Sillanpää
16. Switzerland
17. Bulgaria
18. LithuaniaIgnas Krupavičius
19. United KingdomDuncan James
20. North MacedoniaFrosina Josifovska
21. Slovakia
22. Greece
23. Bosnia and HerzegovinaElvir Laković Laka
24. UkraineMarysya Horobets
25. TurkeyMeltem Ersan Yazgan
26. AlbaniaLeon Menkshi
27. SerbiaJovana Janković
28. CyprusSophia Paraskeva
29. Poland
30. NetherlandsYolanthe Cabau van Kasbergen
31. EstoniaLaura Põldvere
32. CroatiaMila Horvat
33. PortugalHelena Coelho
34. RomaniaAlina Sorescu
35. IrelandDerek Mooney
36. Denmark
37. MoldovaSandu Leancă
38. SloveniaPeter Poles
39. ArmeniaSirusho
40. HungaryÉva Novodomszky
41. AzerbaijanHusniyya Maharramova
42. NorwayStian Barsnes-Simonsen

Detailed voting results

There were a few glitches out of the 84 total televote counts from the two semi-finals and grand final. In the second semi final, Spain's and Albania's delays in broadcasting the show meant that their results were provided by the back-up juries. In the final, SMS voting was the only method used to provide the Hungarian public voting scores as the televotes could not be counted due to a technical problem, and Norway's jury vote was used because a technical mistake by the local telephone operator rendered the televotes and SMS texts unusable. The full split jury/televoting results of the final were announced by the EBU in July 2009.

Semi-final 1

12 points

Below is a summary of the maximum 12 points each country awarded to another in the 1st semi-final:

Semi-final 2

12 points

Below is a summary of the maximum 12 points each country awarded to another in the 2nd semi-final:

Final

12 points

Below is a summary of all 12 points in the final:

Broadcasts

Most countries sent commentators to Moscow or commentated from their own country, in order to add insight to the participants and, if necessary, provide voting information.