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A total of 39 countries are competing. Six countries are already qualified for the final on Saturday May 18, these are the so called "Big Five" (France, Italy, Germany, Great Britain and Spain) and the host country (Sweden). The remaining 33 countries compete for a place in the final in two semifinals held on Tuesday May 14 and Thursday May 16.
The ten countries that receive the highest scores in each semifinal then take part in the final on Saturday May 18, together with the six countries that are already qualified.
The town of Malmö, where I work, has during the past week been flooded with European artists and musicians with their large entourages and many thousands of fans. In a rather small town like Malmö their presence is highly noticeable.
Although the ESC has been quite popular in Sweden the last years (especially among the gays), the event doesn't attract the same huge attention in many of the other competing countries, with the possible exception of the gay communities there.
Even if I am not a huge fan of the event I will at least have to try watch the final on Saturday to understand what everyone will be talking about next week.
