Noite das Estrelas (Night of Stars) is the title given to the gala that will be held tonight in oder to honour the history of 45 years of Festival da Canção. A wide range of personalities relating to the Potuguese national final will feature.

In 1964, Portugal sent the first representative to the Eurovision Song Contest. António Calvário was the first winner of the then called Grande Prémio TV da Canção Portuguesa. Only in 1979, the national final gained the designation Festival da Canção. Many were the titles and selection processes used throughout the almost five decades.One thing is for sure, Festival da Canção hashad avery importantrole in the history of Portuguese musicand television.

The list of artists that will step the stage of Teatro Tivoli in Lisbon ranges from singers, authors andhostsof the Portuguese national final. Such names as António Calvário (1964)Tonicha (1971), Maria Guinot (1984), Nucha (1990), Sabrina (2007), Vânia Fernandes (2008) and Flor-de-Lis (2009) will perform. Connecting the fathers of the event with the new generation, it will be a night of memories.

The gala will have some special moments with the delivery of three PrestigeAwards to Maria Guinot, Tonicha and Doce. Also a special tribute will be payed to personalities that have passed away: Cândida Branca-Flor and Carlos Paião (singers); José Calvário, José Marinho, Thilo Krassman and Fernando Correia Martins (maestros);Henrique Mendes, Fialho Gouveia and Alice Cruz (hosts); Melo Antunes (producer).

The show was organized by Eurovision fans whose aim was to signal the 45 years of Eurovison in Portugal. The tickets cost € 10 and the proceeds of the show wil go to Casa doArtista, a place where retired artists can spend their golden years.