The preliminary rehearsal schedule for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest has been released by the European Broadcasting Union. Ordinary rehearsals will take place over 8 days, from May 3 to 10, the day when the Welcome Reception will be held. Dress rehearsals will start on May 11.
The schedule made public by the EBU begins on May 2, when the Press Centre and Accreditation Centre will open, at 8.30 local time. From the day after until May 10, the ordinary rehearsals will take place. May 10 is also the chosen day to hold the Official Welcome Reception.
Dress Rehearsals for the first semifinal will kick off on May 11, when two dress rehearsals will be held, with the EBU and Channel 1 joint press conference in between. On May 12, the third dress rehearsal is scheduled to take place, as well as the first semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest and the Winners' Press Conference. Dress rehearsals for the second semifinal will start on May 13 (two rehearsals) and will continue the day after (the remaining one).
May 15 will be devoted to the preparations for the Grand Final, with two dress rehearsals scheduled for that date. The third one and the Final will take place on May 16.
You can see the full preliminary schedule here.
