NORMAL LIFE: T - 39 Days & Counting (Eurovision)

All the plans for Finland's hosting of this year's Eurovision Song Contest are finaly coming through (read official press release here). The most exciting development is, to compensate for the ridiculously small capacity of 8,000 seats at the Hartwall Arena, the City will relay all the goings-on to squares in the City so that 'domestic and foreign tourists alike can enjoy the contest atmosphere'.

Special events will be taking place in the city’s squares, streets, restaurants, clubs, museums, sauna baths, shops and galleries during May 2-13, 2007 with the main events being at the EuroVillage in Narinkkatori Square and Senate Square. I can't tell you how great it feels to be part of something that always seemed to be out of our grasp in the UK. It is so exciting in fact that I could wet my pants!

The Semi finals will be on Thursday May 10th and the finals will be on Saturday May 12th. On Friday 11th, the eve of the Finals, the Helsinki Fête will invite choirs, bands, dance bands and other performers to take over the inner city streets and squares and spread out an atmosphere of vernal musical festivities. The number of countries participating in the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest is the largest ever at 42. Come to Finland, there has never been a better time!

Afterthough: I hope the weather isn't the same as during the World Athletic Championships in August 2005 when nearly 3cms of rain fell in a two hour period (read here and here).