Portugal will hold an open call to select the songs that will take part at Festival da canção 2009, the Portuguese national final fpr the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow. The full details will be announced on 2nd December on RTP's website.
The rumour that RTP would change the way to choose the entries for the national final have been going for quite sometime. The national broadcaster will drop the format of invited producers and will be open to the submission of entries to anyone wanting to take part.
From 2006 to 2008 with the reinstatement of Festival da canção, RTP relied on the invitation of music producers to come up with the song and performer. In 2008, Portugal managed to qualify to the final with a song made by Andrej Babic, a foreign composer invited by Carlos Coelho, the producer chosen by the broadcaster.This might have lead to the change of procedure. The use of the internet for 2009in the processmay be one of the tools.RTP will present the full information next Tuesday, 2nd December.
In Belgrade, Senhora do mar performed by Vânia Fernandes was a fan and journalist favourite for the top prize. Portugal came 13th place with 69 points in the final.
