RTÉ Television has announced that it is inviting interested parties to submit an entry to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, to take place in Serbia next May.
Following a comprehensive review of the selection process of previous years, RTÉ is this year inviting submissions based not only on song composition, but encouraging inclusion of singer or singers, visual presentation and proposed performance details.
The deadline for submission of entries is Monday, 21 January 2008. The six best entries as judged by an expert group will then compete in a gala Eurosong 2008 competition, live on RTÉ Television next February, from which the winner will be chosen by public vote.
Earlier this year, a number of changes to the overall structure of the Eurovision Song Contest were adopted. These include the introduction of two semi-finals to the competition, which every country (apart from the host nation, the UK, Germany, France and Spain) must now compete in.
RTÉ appointed a consultative committee of experts from the music writing, music performance and dance arts to assist them in a review of the Irish selection process. The changes to this year’s Eurosong competition are based on its recommendations.
Ireland’s entry will compete in one of the semi-finals on Thursday, the 22nd May, 2008. The two semi-finals are planned to take place simultaneously.
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