The walk on the red carpet and the official opening of the Eurovision song contest is now behind the 40 Eurovision delegations. After posing for photographs the country's representatives went to Vienna's City Hall to socialize and enjoy the performance of Vienna Boys' Choir. One of the most sought after artists at the event were Maraaya. The Slovenian duo has won over many fans since their Eurovision concert in Amsterdam.

One of the biggest Slovenian fans is Serbia's representative, Bojana Stamenov, who doesn't find it difficult to sing out the Slovenian song in front of the media and claim it to be the best. The author of the Serbian song »Beauty Never Lies«, Vladimir Graić, agrees with that. Graić also wrote the music for the song “Verjamem”, which was performed by Eva Boto at the Eurovision contest in Baku.

Germany's representative, Ann Sophie, is also amazed by the voice of Marjetka Vovk. The members of Great Britain's duo, Electro Velvet, say they're getting along best with Slovenia's representatives. Slovenia's song has also been praised by the representatives of Malta, Amber, and Latvia, Aminata. However Sweden's representative, Måns Zelmerlöw, insists that there are many songs capable of winning the contest.

Neigbours swapping votes
The event was a great opportunity to share opinions about the "traditional" awarding of points between neighbours. Out of all the countries from the former Yugoslavia, Slovenia will be performing at the second semi-final evening together with Montenegro. "I think we still feel a certain connection. We lived in the same country and we have ties which are difficult to break. We have to watch over one another, just as the other former Soviet countries do, just as the Benelux countries do, Scandinavia … So, my Slovenians, although Montenegro is further away from you, you have to take care of us and we'll do the same for you," was the message to Slovenians from Montenegro's representative, Knez, while talking to MMC.

The first semi-final evening will see Serbia and Macedonia try win a spot in the Eurovision final. "I always wish to get sincere points. I'd like fans to vote for Macedonia if they like the song. The system is such that you can't vote for your own country. If there are a lot of Turks and Serbs in Vienna, its logical that they'll vote for their own countries. It's not the countries to blame, it's the system. But the system is good," concluded Kajmakovski.

From Vienna, Klavdija Kopina; translated by K. J.