Today, changes in the Ukrainian national selection for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest were announced. Instead of two semi finals, only one semi final will take place on 8th February. Furtheremore, it was revealed that the venue will not be the Sports Palace but the NTU studios.
While the first two Ukrainian entries in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003 and 2004 were selected internally, Ukraine has used a different system to select its representative every year since. In 2005, a huge national selection including 15 semi finals and a grand final was used, in 2006 a talent show was held to choose the performer, in 2007 a classic national final with seven acts was held and last year, Ani Lorak was chosen internally while her song was selected during a national final.
Ukraine was one of the most successful countries in recent years. Both in 2007 and 2008, they finished 2nd in the competition, most recently with Ani Lorak and her song Shady lady last year. She had also won the second semi final.
Special thanks to Alex Amos for the report.
