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Moscow to Host Eurovision 2009, Putin Said
Eurovision 2009 will be held in Moscow, RIA Novosti reported with reference to decision of Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
“With regard to preparation extent of Moscow facilities, infrastructure development and the chance to minimize costs, we will hold Eurovision 2009 Contest in Moscow,” Putin announced Monday during the sitting of the RF Government’s Presidium.
Vice Premier Alexander Zhukov was committed to submit the schedule for preparing and holding Eurovision. Zhukov said a special organization committee should be set up for the purpose and specified that quite a number of cities had applied for hosting this song contest, but Moscow and St. Petersburg were ready better than other bidders.
“In technical terms, the Olympic Sport Complex [Moscow] is prepared better than others, of course,” Zhukov pointed out, adding that it may host 25,000 and allows holding the contest “under a single roof.”
The Eurovision final is slated for May 16, 2009, some 43 countries are expected to attend the event, which TV audience is projected to exceed 100 million. Russia won the right to host Eurovision in 2009 thanks to the victory of Dima Bilan at Eurovison 2008 in Belgrade.
www.kommersant.com
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