As promised, Lithuanian broadcaster LRT revealed more details about the selection for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest. Not six semifinals are scheduled, as all Eurovision Song Contest related websites wrote earlier, but only two! It's unknown how the information about six semifinals reached the web, but one thing is for sure; we were all wrong!
In Lietuvos dainu de�imtuka, Lithuania will select its participant for the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens. Due to Lithuania's disappointing result, the Lithuanian representative has to enter the semifinal on 18th May.
Song writers and composers can submit songs for the Lithuanian 2006 Eurovision Song Contest selection until 11th December. Last year, about 60 songs were submitted for 7 semifinals, which resulted in relatively weak semifinals. Although song writers and composers from other countries are welcome, performers should be Lithuanian citizens. In case a group participates, LRT wants a majority of the group members to be Lithuanian. “For several years we had the free language rule and we will continue with that, although we will strongly encourage our singers to perform in Lithuanian”, Jonas Vilimas of LRT said earlier this week.
Two semifinals will take place. One semifinal will feature popular artists, the other one will consist of new talent. This new talent will be casted during a Pop Idol-type of show between 7 January and 11 February. Amberlife, Mango, Violeta Riaubiskyte and Edmundas Kucinskas have already expressed their interest to participate. The semifinals will be held 18th and 25th of February. A 30-minute televoting window will decide the ones who go to the final, which will be held in Kaunas the 4th of March.
We kindly thank Mr. Johan Roms Jr of Melodija Records for translating the correct story!
