Eurovision 2009 Opening Night - 10 May Moscow

Thousands of guests flocked to Moscow from all over Europe and the area right next to the Kremlin became the hotspot of the Eurovision-2009 opening ceremony.
For the night, Eurodom was turned into a huge dance floor welcoming guests with traditional Russian cuisine including famous pancakes with caviar. Happy guests spoke of the unexpected beauty of Moscow and the hospitality of the Russians.
Its a completely different city; its not what we expected in any way. The architecture is just so beautiful and I think the hospitality is second to none, says Iain Hambling from BBC Radio Leicester.

One of the top favorites of this years contest, Alexander Rybak representing Norway, says this Eurovision is a big party.

Everybody is so polite and wishes the best to every artist, thats so special! Its not much of a competition, its more of a party, he says.

The concert-parade of Eurovision winners was opened by Lys Assia from Switzerland, the famed winner of the very first Eurovision Song Contest.

The German band, Genghis Khan, Israeli transsexual singer Dana International, Serbian Marija Serifovic, and Russian Dima Bilan, due to her winning last years Eurovision this is now taking place in Russia, continued the star-studded show.

The head of the Russian jury, pop singer Phillip Kirkorov, performed a hit from Kylie Minogue, and the Russian contestant for this years Eurovision, Anastas Prihodko, performed her entry, Mamo.

Now that the festival has officially begun, participants are performing their final dress rehearsal concerts and waiting impatiently for the major events to occur and betting for the winner.