More news about the plans the city of Helsinki and YLE have for next May emerge every day now. Esplanadi park will turn into European Market during Eurovision. YLE has ordered some new tango music for the semi final and the interval acts will focus on the themes �true� and �fantasy�. The Finnish design will be also displayed well during Eurovision around Helsinki.

Esplanadi park, Helsinki’s living room in the heart of the city by the sea, will turn into European market on May 8-12. The participating countries will be able to display their culture, tourism and food amongst other things in there. The “Eurooppatori” will be open from 3pm on May 8, and will stay open daily until 7pm. A lot of music will be performed on its famous stage. On Europe Day on May 9 there will be many special programmes and shows.

Senate’s square will have special programming on Thursday night from 5pm to 10pm, and on Saturday from 1pm to 10pm. You can also watch both shows there on mega screens and the Finnish votes will be given from there live on Saturday night.

On Friday May 11 there will be a huge street party from 4pm to 10pm in the areas of Senate’s square, Mikonkatu street, the square in front of EuroClub, surroundings of Lasipalatsi and Esplanade park. All these areas are linked to each other and are pedestrian areas.

Helsingin Sanomat reports YLE has ordered modern tango from Johanna Juhola for the semi final’s interval act and Lordi has confirmed they will open the final as the tradition goes. They will come straight from the United States PR tour, perform in Helsinki Ice Hall on Friday May 11 as well and fly back to America right after Eurovision.

The Ateneum art museum will be the stage for choirs singing Eurovision tunes already from May 3. Also the Helsinki University of Arts is involved in programming as well as the Design Museum. Their happenings will mainly be concentrated around Diana park. The main attraction will be Reddress, a giant dress like tent designed by Aamu Song, where up to 238 people can attend concerts and other performances.

The public transport system will be working with extra trains and buses in all areas involved in Eurovision. Special extra trains will serve the people heading to Hartwall Areena from Helsinki railway station besides all the normal trains. The night trains will have more wagons than usual. People with accreditation will have a free ride on buses, trains and trams inside the city of Helsinki, so those who have booked a hotel in Espoo, Vantaa or other surrounding cities will still have to pay for their rides.

More information on forthcoming events in Helsinki can be found here.

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