Austria is back at the Eurovision Song Contest after three years of absence. Together with Italy and San Marino, the central European country will take part in one of the two semi finals of the 2011 edition of Europe's favourite music show. A total number of 210 songs were submitted to the headquarters of the Austrian national broadcaster ORF.

It seems that the victory of neighbour country Germany has increased thepopularity of the Eurovision Song Contest in Austria as 210 songs were submitted to the headquarters of the Austrian national broadcaster, ORF.

A professional jury will select thirty songs for the next round of the competition. Austrian public radio Ö3 will air the lucky qualifiers and the audience will get the chance to vote for their favourite entry. The first placed songs will qualify for the big final to be held on February 25.

Several former Eurovisionentrants decided to make a return on the spot light. Alf Poier (2003)and Petra Frey (1997)together withWaterlooand Robinson (1976)separately are the highlighted names on the preliminary list of Austria's selection. Also, American performer and backing vocalist of this year's Albanian entry, Glenys Vargas is said to try her chance in representing the central European country in Düsseldorf.

Austria decided to return to the Eurovision Song Contest after three years of absence. Their last entrywas Get a life – Get alive performed by Eric Papilaya which failed to qualify for the final in 2007.