HKI_Reporter

Eurovision fans can now check out the first four of Finland's hopefuls for this year on the Internet. Twelve artists are competiting for the right to represent Finland in the song competition.

Qualifications begin on Friday. Each qualifying round showcases four groups or artists, and on the preceeding Monday, the competition pieces will be posted on the Internet after they are played on YLE's Radio Suomi at 18:15.

This year, the contestants are a mixture of traditional and new. Veteran crooner Kari Tapio will be pitted against popular heavy metal band Teräsbetoni and model Ninja Sarasalo, among others.

The winner will be selected March first. The fifty-third Eurovision Song Contest will be held in the Serbian capital of Belgrade in May.


Link: Euroviisut | yle.fi
Eurovision 2008 Link: Home | Eurovision Song Contest - Belgrade 2008

HKI_Reporter

The Eurovision Song Contest, which was held in Helsinki in May last year, brought 40,000 people from outside the Helsinki region to the Finnish capital. About ten per cent were guests from abroad.

A study commissioned by the City of Helsinki found that when Helsinki residents are included, about 80,000 people attended events linked with the contest.

The greatest economic impact of the contest resulted from the organisation. The Helsinki region got EUR 12.6 million, of which EUR 10.8 million was from the organising of the event itself. Less than EUR 5 million came from outside guests.

Foreign visitors especially were economically important. Whereas the Finnish Eurovision guests spent less than EUR 50 a day on average, hundreds of foreigners would spend more than EUR 500 in some cases.

Read more: Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - Metro

HKI_Reporter

Cristal Snow - Can't Save Me (Eurovision 2008)

HKI_Reporter

Teräsbetoni is representing Finland for the Eurovision 2008

Marjo

Points: 658, Level: 13

Activity: 0%

Finland zero points this year ... I don't understand ppl voting this kind of well ... shite (sorry) ... AND Kari Tapio was 2nd??? OMG ...

OK ... I better shut up now and crawl back to my "cave" ...

Cristal Snow > you'll be international star without Eurovision anyway
GOOD luck and (((HUGS)))!

pieni tähti

Points: 828, Level: 15

Activity: 0%

Hello Marjo, I just wanted to ask who is representing Suomi this year. If I understand you correctly you are very disappointed. Can you give me the names of let's say the first three candidates?
Last year I saw Hanna Pakarinen for the first time and I really like her since then.Do you recommend Cristal Snow? I've never heard of them but I'll go and watch at Youtube...
Kiitos ja nähdään, Astrid

EmilD

Points: 446, Level: 8

Activity: 0%

Woo! I really like that Teräsbetoni song, and it's much better than any of the songs in the swedish final that is on saturday. Suomi 12 points!

peekers93

Points: 423, Level: 8

Activity: 0%

I'm with you Marjo...I don't think Finland has "the" winner this year!

Marjo

Points: 658, Level: 13

Activity: 0%

Well the TOP 3 was already listed here -

1. Teräsbetoni
2. Kari Tapio (OMG!!!)
3. Cristal Snow

Teräsbetoni's & Cristal Snow's videos also sent in earlier messages.

I wanted Cristal Snow to win - it's ok song - rest of them were umm ... not good at all.

AND ... I still think Finland will be 1st, but in the "other end" aka last LOL

pieni tähti

Points: 828, Level: 15

Activity: 0%

Moi Marjo,
ymmärrän nyt. Very bad voting in my eyes. Cristal Snow should have won.
But let's see how Europe is going to vote.
Thanks for replying by the way. Nähdään, Astrid