All entries in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest are known, but the actual contest is still two weeks away. As a warm-up, we introduce one of the entries every day in random order. The forty-second (and final) part is dedicated to the entry from Estonia.

Basic information

Performers:	Urban Symphony
Song:	Rändajad(The nomads)
Language:	Estonian
Music:	Sven Lõhmus
Lyrics:	Sven Lõhmus
Draw:	18th in the second semi final

The song

Rändajad is a mid-tempo song mixing electronic music with an acousticstrings arrangement. The lyrics are in Estonian and they tell the story of some nomads who are making their way through the desert (which might also be interpreted in a metaphorical way):

Öö peagi laotamas tiivad
Rändajaid saatma jääb tuul

See on tee
Nad rändavad nii päevast päeva
See on tee
Nad rändavad siis ajast aega

Soon the night unfolds its wings
There is only the wind to guide the nomads

It is the way
They follow it as the days go by
It is the way
They follow it as the time goes by

The band

Urban Symphony centers around 20-year-oldlead singer and violinist Sandra Nurmsalu. She became famous in 2007 as a contestant in the talent search Kaks takti etti. The same show has also seen many other Estonian Eurovision Song Contest representatives like Ines (2000), Gerli Padar (2007), Tanel Padar (2001) and Silvi Vrait (1994), to name just a few.

The other members of Urban Symphony are viola playerMann Helstein, who has performed with various orchestras all over Europe, cellist Johanna Mängel, who is also working as a journalist and cellist Mari Möldre, who is the youngestgroup member at the age of16 and has performedin many countries including Australia. Urban Symphony met during the show Kaks takti etti, when a bands round was held.

Urban Symphonytook part in the Estonian national final for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest with their entry Rändajad, although Sandra Nurmsalu was originally announced to take part as a soloist. They could win the selection and will represent Estonia in Moscow. Rändajad is the first entry performed in standard Estonian since 1998, although the 2004 entry was performed in the Võro dialect.

The national selection

Although the Estonian national final was not much different than in recent years, it got a new name: Eesti laul. Ten acts competed and the winner was chosen in two rounds of voting. In the first round, two superfinalists were chosenby a mix of televoting and a jury.The televotingfavourite Laura was eliminated after the first rounddue to a poor jury result so that Traffic and Urban Symphony couldreach the top two. Urban Symphony were the clear winners with 82% of the televotes.

Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest

Estonia wanted to debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993 butdid not make it past the Eastern Europe semi final. A poor debut in 1994 and a relegation in1995 followed, but it turned the year after: six top ten placings including a victory would follow over thenext seven years. However, Estonia is one of only two countries – the otherbeing Andorra – that took part in every semi final stage broadcast so far without qualifying.

Me soovime Eestile ja Urban Symphony'le palju edu ning head önnestumist Moskvas!

Videos

National final performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3YOvaSnLDU&ap=%2526fmt%3D18&rel=0

National final performance (preview video version):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJODH8PHufQ&ap=%2526fmt%3D18&rel=0

Sandra Nurmsalu with Velvetiin:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCZP62ZsqtY&ap=%2526fmt%3D18&rel=0

Other parts of this series

1. France
2. Portugal
3. Romania
4. Denmark
5. Netherlands
6. Cyprus
7. Latvia
8. Ireland
9. Malta
10. Armenia
11. Germany
12. Serbia
13. Belgium
14. Greece
15. Croatia
16. Poland
17. Czech Republic
18. Iceland
19. Moldova
20. Switzerland
21. Slovenia
22. Andorra
23. Ukraine
24. Spain
25. Sweden
26. Montenegro
27. Finland
28. Lithuania
29. Russia
30. Turkey
31. Azerbaijan
32. Bulgaria
33. Belarus
34. Norway
35. Israel
36. Slovakia
37. United Kingdom
38. Hungary
39. Albania
40. Bosnia & Herzegovina
41. FYR Macedonia

This was the last introduction article for the 2009 season. Tomorrow, we will provide an overview with links to all introductions in running order as well as some statistical information regarding the entries.

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