Eurovision Song Contest 2009

The 54th Eurovision Song Contest, held in 2009, was a significant moment for Russia, as it hosted the event for the very first time in Moscow's Olimpiyskiy Arena. This hosting duty was a direct result of Russia's victory in the 2008 contest with Dima Bilan's song 'Believe'. The organization was a collaborative effort between the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the Russian host broadcaster, Channel One.

A notable aspect of the 2009 contest was its presentation structure: it was the first and, as of 2024, only time that two different sets of presenters hosted the semi-finals and the grand final. Natalia Vodianova and Andrey Malakhov helmed the semi-finals, while Ivan Urgant and Alsou Abramova took the stage for the final. This dual-hosting approach was a departure from previous years and added a unique dynamic to the broadcast.

Furthermore, it was also the first instance where the contest was hosted in the previous year's winning country by a different broadcaster than the one that secured the win, highlighting a shift in broadcasting partnerships.

The 2009 contest saw participation from 42 countries, a slight decrease from the record 43 nations that competed the year prior. This edition featured the return of Slovakia, marking their first appearance since 1998, which was a welcome addition to the competitive landscape. However, the contest also experienced some notable absences and withdrawals. San Marino was unable to participate due to financial constraints, a common challenge for smaller broadcasters.

More significantly, Georgia and Latvia, after initially announcing non-participation, were persuaded to enter. Yet, Georgia's participation was ultimately short-lived. The Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) withdrew their entry after the EBU ruled that their selected song violated the contest's rules, a decision that underscored the EBU's commitment to maintaining the integrity and non-political nature of the competition.

The absence of any debuting countries for the first time since 2003 indicated a period of consolidation rather than expansion for the event.

The 2009 Eurovision Song Contest culminated in a spectacular victory for Norway, with Alexander Rybak's song 'Fairytale'. This performance was not merely a win; it was a historic achievement that set new benchmarks for the competition. Rybak's song captivated audiences and critics alike, securing maximum points from both the jury vote and the public televote.

The song amassed an unprecedented 387 points out of a possible 492. This score was, at the time, the highest total score ever achieved in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, a testament to its overwhelming popularity and quality. The strong performances from other nations, including Iceland, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and the United Kingdom, rounded out the top rankings.

Iceland equaled their best-ever result from 1999, while the United Kingdom achieved its strongest placing since 2002, showcasing a competitive and diverse field of finalists.

In response to criticisms and controversies surrounding the voting system in the 2007 contest, the EBU implemented significant changes prior to the 2009 event. The primary objective was to enhance the fairness and transparency of the voting process. For the grand final, a crucial reform was the re-introduction of national juries.

These juries, composed of music industry professionals from each participating country, were tasked with awarding points alongside the public's televotes. This dual system aimed to balance popular appeal with expert musical judgment, providing a more robust and credible outcome. The semi-final voting format remained unchanged, maintaining consistency in the qualification rounds.

These adjustments were designed to mitigate potential biases and ensure that the winning song was a true reflection of both widespread public support and critical acclaim, thereby strengthening the contest's credibility.