A press conference was held today to launch Slovakia's search for an entry for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest. Songs can be submitted until 31st October and some changes of rules have been announced to make the contest “more attractive”. Having returned to the contest last year after eleven years, Slovakia was the first country to officially announce its participation in 2010.
Unlike last year, songs in English can be submitted. Composers and lyricists may submit more than one song, but only one song per performer will make it forward to the televised shows. Writers must have Slovak citizenship but all other persons involved may be from outside the country. The other rules of the national selection are said to remain the same as last year. Broadcasting will start in January.
Last year's televised national selection saw five semi finals and a grand final with 50 acts competing in total. Two songs out of each heat were chosen to go forward to the grand final and an additional jury wild card joined them. After the last semi final, the jury chose another wildcard for the final. The winning song was chosen by the jury after televoting had narrowed down the 16 acts to a top three.
In 2009, Slovakia was represented by Kamil MikulÄ�ík & Nela Pocisková, who finished 18th (second last) in the second semi final with Let' tmou.
