News - Latvia on its way to the national final | Eurovision Song Contest News - Azerbaijan 2012 

In a week, on February 27, Latvia will choose its participant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 in Oslo. At the moment the Eirodziesma 2010 finalists are polishing their performances, the stage artists are working on the scenography and the creative team is having the final touches to the theme of the show.

• You can find pictures of all ten finalists as well as a sketch of the stage here. 

At the Eirodziesma final show, it is a tradition to include the elements either in the script or stage, of the host country of Eurovision Song Contest. As Iveta Lepesko, the project manager of Eurovision national selection, reveals: "Snow, the northern lights and skiing are just some of the features included in the course of the show to honor the host country, Norway. The hosts of Eirodziesma 2010, Kristine Virsite and Ugis Joksts had an opportunity to experience Norwegian weather in Latvia while shooting the videos as the temperature on the location outside the studio had dropped to 15 degrees below zero. To present the more reliable spirit of Norway the hosts had to prove their skiing skills."

Regarding the finalists, Iveta Lepesko comments "We got acquainted with the creative ideas of the participants - each performance is being developed very carefully and thoroughly to make the public's musical and visual experiences pleasant. The musicians have worked closely with choreographers, directors and stylists."

esctoday.com wrote  earlier that Ventspils city council and LTV (Latvian National Broadcaster) have signed the agreement of cooperation when it comes to Eirodziesma. Ventspils, the city celebrating its 720th anniversary in 2010, has supported the national selection shows not only financially but also providing the venue which traditionally was the Olympic Center. This year there has been a change of venue though - the final show will take place at a newly built theater "Juras varti" (Sea gate).

Following another tradition, it is already confirmed that the winner of Eirodziesma 2009, Intars Busulis and his team is going to perform, as well as it is known that Michael von der Heide from Switzerland will sing his Eurovision Song Contest entry on the Latvian stage.

The owner of the Latvian ticket to Eurovision Song Contest 2010 will be determined on Saturday, February 27. Three songs out of ten will be selected by televote, but in the grand final both the jury and televote will have the equal rights in deciding the winner.