All eyes on Moscow as Eurovision takes the stage

THE 2009 Eurovision Song Contest kicks off in Moscow tonight as one of two semi-finals gets under way prior to the grand final on Saturday.

Having won last year, Russia gets to host the contest for the first time and has promised that it will be a spectacular affair. The official opening ceremony was held in the city’s Olympiski sport arena yesterday and was performed by Lys Assia, the winner of the first contest for Switzerland in 1956.

This year, Ireland’s hopes rest with Sinead Mulvey and Black Daisy, an all-girl pop group from Dublin. The Irish entry, Et Cetera, will be heard in the second semi-final on Thursday, along with the entries from 18 other countries on the night. Overall, 42 countries will take part in this year’s contest.