The first stage of the Maltese selection for Eurovision 2010 started today at 15:00 CET. This phase will span 3 days, thus until Friday a total of 122 songs will be listened to by the jury. Originally, 123 songs were to take part in the selection but one of them withdrew. Up to 36 will proceed to the next round, to be aired on tv from December 9th.

Both newcomers and well-established Maltese artists are reported to be participating at this year's Maltese national selection for Eurovision 2010, Eurosong. Today, its first phase has started with the hopefuls singing their songs in front of the jury, which features both local and international music experts.

A total of 44 entries have been performed today. Another lot of 45 is expected to be performed tomorrow, and the remaining 33 will be appraised on Friday, when PBS is thought to announce the qualifiers for the second stage of the contest, to be televised from December 9th.

The whole process is being foreseen by officials from the national broadcaster PBS, members of the Eurosong advisory team and representatives of the Union of Maltese Composers, Authors and Singers (UKAM).