Russia rehearsal and press conference

Dima Bilan is no stranger to the Eurovision Song Contest, having lost out only to Lordi in the 2006 contest in Athens. Hoping to go one further this year, Russia set about their first rehearsal this afternoon. There is a ladder in the middle of the stage fitting with the climbing theme within the song, Dima is seated at the bottom at the opening part of the song. He is joined by Hungarian violinist Edvin Marton, World & Olympic figure skating champion Eugeni Pluschenko who will be skating during the performance, a male dancer who meanders around the stage and on the ladder and finally two female backing vocalists. Dima ends the performance climbing part way up the ladder.

Dima Bilan - Believe - rehearsal



Press conference

The press conference followed, and as expected was very heavily attended. MTV Russia opened the questions session by asking how the partnership between Dima, Eugeni and Edvin came about. Dima answered "We are three friends, like in Heroes, the idea was born one year ago. There has never been a pop singer, violinist and Olympic Champion on the stage at the Eurovision Song Contest before" Speaking of the violin, Edvin Marton added "The violin used is a 1697 Stradivarius and was even played by Paganini over 300 years ago. I won this in a figure skating competition in Montreal."




source:eurovision.tv; esctoday.com