Contestants rehearse on eve of big night

Just a few hours are left before the winner of the Song for Europe festival is announced and tension is mounting as each contestant vies to clinch the title and go on to represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest in Greece in May.

Yesterday evening gave the contestants the chance to warm up to the crowd gathered at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, but tonight is the big night.

Each contestant is hoping to woo the public - who are responsible for choosing the winner through 100 per cent televoting - with their musical talent and performance.

Maltasong chairman Robert Abela is this year hoping to have tonight's result in record time - approximately half an hour after the televoting lines close.

The fact that the time allocated for televoting has been cut down to 10 minutes instead of the usual half an hour, should help speed up matters.

Maltasong has invited Anzej Dezan, the winner of Slovenia's contest, to perform during tonight's show. He will interpret his winning love song titled Plan B.

The festival, which will be compered by Eileen Montesin, Josef Bonello and Lou Bondì, will include entertainment by Chiara, a band, past festival winners and Ray Calleja.

This year Pres, Production Event Services, has been entrusted with the festival's production and has assigned the design of the stage to DB Designs. Light Sound Vision is providing a number of lighting fixtures.

Camilleri Wines, the official sponsors of the festival, will hold a pre-festival party at the Golden Tulip Vivaldi, offering wine to all guests attending the festival.

They will also entertain VIPs during an intermission party at the festival as well as ensuring a constant flow of wine before the start of the event. They will also be awarding 30 cases of wine to lucky televoting participants.

Tonight's show is being transmitted live on TVM at 8.30 p.m.

For more information go to www.maltasong.com