Finland: Goodbye to Euroviisut

Eurovision laulukilpailu (Eurovision song contest) turned into more familiar Euroviisut in Finland in the 1960's and has stayed under that name even if YLE has labeled it since mid 2000's as Eurovision - Suomen karsinta (Eurovision - Finnish selection) but now.... it seems it's gone! YLE's announcement today that they will introduce a new musical contest next spring promising it to be the biggest and best musical show in the country searching for the best singer and song. Only after a lot of bla bla bla it is mentioned the winner will represant Finland in the Eurovision 2012 as well. Isn't that a bit ignoring Eurovision? Why not calling it still Eurovision and just revamp the contest and selection process? Something isn't right here...

Anyways, anyone can send in a song. One per artists but the authors can send more than one song. At least one of the writers and the lead singer(s) must be of Finnish citizen or have a permanent residence here.

Demos can be sent from August 15, 2011 and they must be received by September 30, 2011. The artist(s) on demo must also perform the song if chosen. YLE will be also filming the preparations from October 2011 until the final and will propably use the material in the shows somehow. The song cannot be sent to any other country's selection. The final versions of the chosen songs must be at YLE's use by December 16, 2011. YLE also has all the rights for the chosen songs until January 28, 2012 and they cannot be performed or played publicly anywhere except YLE's programmes.

A jury will choose the songs that go further and through auditions and club gigs the finalists will be chosen.

The provisional dates for the semifinals and the final are January 7 and 14 and February 25, 2012 but those are yet to be confirmed. In the final there will be once again two voting rounds. And there might be a compilation album released of the songs.

YLE's announcement left many questions unanswered and rather unclear idea of what it is going to be. And why they drop the Eurovision? Hasn't EBU exactly expressed the wish each and every country would use the Eurovision logo and name for the national selections recently? Time will tell and it seems I'm not the only one left buzzled and confused if you read the chatrooms.....

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