The European city of culture 2011 and ex-capital Turku will host this year's Finnish final of Eurovision in Caribia Areena, the same venue that already saw the wins of Lordi in 2006 and Hanna Pakarinen the year after so the omens are pretty good.
Turku was founded in the end of 13th century making it the oldest city in Finland. It was also the capital until 1812 when Helsinki became the capital of Grand Dutchy of Finland instead. Today it's Finland's 5th biggest city with some 178.000 inhabitants (over 300.000 the greater Turku area). There has been people arlready in the Stone Age but the Dominican Monastery (founded in 1249) and the Cathedral (1300) with Turku castle (1280) are signs of for modern life in region.
Whoever wins will be our 45th Euroviisut winner since Finland started participating back in 1961. And hey, Laila Kinnunen was the debuting artist and her daughter Milana is in the final this year to mark the 50th anniversary. Jaana Pelkonen will host for the last time (for time being at least) as she says goodbye after seven national finals in a row, one Eurovision song contest as the hostess and five other as TV-commentator. She has newcomer Tom Nylund next to her. Ten acts will compite, nine of them selected by televoters in three semifinals, one got a wildcard from YLE. All three acts qualifying from the open web selection last year made it to the final. All but one are newcomers as artists to Eurovision.
The three most televoted songs in the first round will move on to the superfinal. Votes are zeroed and new televoting will choose the winner.
You can follow the final on YLE's website and of course I will be live blogging all through it so please do join me tomorrow night!
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