More details of this years Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade, Serbia on 20th, 22nd and 24th May have been revealed. In this blog I will give you information on this years Eurocafe and the opening and interval acts for the 2008 semi finals and grand final.
EUROCAFE/EUROCLUB:
Members of OGAE Serbia were the first who had the opportunity to see how this year’s Eurocafe looks like, since they are the ones responsible for the project. “Plato” , the next Eurocafe, is quite spacious and includes two main areas, an indoor as well as an outdoor one , which looks like a big terrace with a fountain in the center and a beautiful view on the one of the hottest touristic places in Belgrade, the Saint Sava temple.
The Eurocafe will not offer just drinks and refeshments but also meals at more than reasonable prices. The venue offers wireless Internet access, as well as other facilities such as a fitness centre.
OGAE Serbia members will be responsible for the daily and evening programme. According to the OGAE organising comittee, there are a lot of new things to be introduced in this year’s Eurocafe, as well in the Euroclub, also a responsibility of the club.
As for the Euroclub, it will be situated in the Sava Centre, in the same building as the Press Centre and not far from The Belgrade Arena. It opens on May 11th, and remains open for guests until 25th May. The programme in the Euroclub begins every night at 21.00 or 22.00 depending on the the schedule of the Delegation parties. OGAE Serbia promises Eurofans a good show and an unforgetable Euroclub and Eurocafe.
Three help-desks, intended to inform all the fans and others more about the happenings in Belgrade during the Eurovision Song Contest and to give answers to various questions, will be set up by OGAE Serbia. The help-desks will be situated in the Eurocafe, Euroclub and near the Press Centre. There will be one more – at Belgrade Airport, but this one will be open occasionally, depending on the times of arrival of fans who have found accomodation through OGAE Serbia.
The first Eurovision 2008 participant to visit the Eurocafe was Greek Kalamoira who was warmly welcomed by members of OGAE Serbia.
To view a gallery of Eurocafe photos please type this in your Internet address bar: http://www.esctoday.com/multimedia/gallery/493/0#picture
OPENING/INTERVAL ACT:
Last year’s Eurovision Song Contest winner, Marija Serifovic as well as musician Goran Bregovic will have the honour to perform in the final, on 24th May, of Eurovision. During an RTS press conference the creative team revealed details about the performances of all three nights. The opening act of May 24 with be ESC 2007 wiiner Marija Serifovic performing a new version of her song, “Molitva” accompanied by 21 dancers on stage.
The interval act which will take place during the voting will feature Goran Bregovic in his famous white suit and “Wedding and a Funeral” orchestra which will perform 3 songs. Bregovic songs are very famous and have appeared in numerous Hollywood movies. Some of his most famous work includes “Djurdjevdan” and “Mesecina”. The Final will be in the theme of the confluence as it is a symbol of of bringing people and music closer together.
The first semi final will take place of May 20th, with theme on “City” in honour of Belgrade and Belgraders. It will be opened by a performance called “Video killed the radio star” which will be a humouristic time travel through Eurovision which will include famous hits such as “Volare” and “Waterloo” performed by 60 people live on stage. That night the interval act which will combine Serbian traditional music with jazz and funk will be performed by Slobodan Trkulja and his Balkanopolis band.
The second semi is named “The Rivers” symbollically reffering to Belgrade’s Sava and Danube. The opening act named “Serbia for Beginners” includes a performance by a ballet star most probaly Belgrade’s famous Kostantin Kostjukov (originally from Russia) who will lead viewers through a discovery through Serbia. During the interval act the ballet ensemble of the National Theatre of Belgrade will perform a part of their routine from “Ko to tamo peva” (Look whose singing).
Eurovision PR Manager Duska Vucinic-Lucic also said the “postcards” will be very unique and different from those of previous Eurovisions. They will focus more on Serbian people than the city of Belgrade, Serbia and Serbian life and culture.
I will see you soon with all the latest ESC 2008 news!
Bye, Matt x!
