Latvia: Lauris Reiniks drops Eurodziesma for Irish final

by Aija Medinika 74 views

Latvian National Broadcaster, LTV has received the confirmation from Lauris Reiniks, the member of F.L.Y. representing Latvia at Eurovision Song Contest 2003, that he is withdrawing from the Latvian semifinal to participate in the Irish National Final on February 20, 2009.

Lauris Reiniks' song I Wish I Could Pretend performed by Kristina Zaharova had been submitted to both Latvian and Irish preselections. It is one of 6 songs out of300 submittedto qualify for the Irish National Final. Meanwhile I Wish I Could Pretend entered the Latvian semifinal of Eirodziesma 2009. Guntars RaÄ?s, Reiniks' representative revealed that the decision and reasonto participate in the Irish final are mostly symbolic as there are so many Latvians living in Ireland.

The rules and regulations od Eurovision National Finals determine that the author and the performer are allowed to represent one country only. Due to LaurisReiniks' decision there will be 20 songs in the semifinal of Latvian Eirodziesma 2009 taking place on February 27, 2009 followed by the final on February 28, 2009.

  • Eurovision 2003 – Latvia: F.L.Y. singing Hello from Mars http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0_fMb_35cE&ap=%2526fmt%3D18&rel=0