Countdown to Vienna 2015: What do we know so far?

It is not the Final Countdown. But it's the Semi-final Countdown!

With 111 days, 11 hours, 11 minutes and 11 seconds left before the first show of Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Vienna is aired, it's time for a round up of some of the facts we know so far about the biggest music competion in the world.

Songs & Artists

8 countries are ready with songs and artists selected for Vienna:
Click on a song title to see video, lyrics and details about each song

• FYR Macedonia: Daniel Kajmakoski - "Lisja esenski"
• Malta: Amber - "Warrior"
• Netherlands: Trijntje Oosterhuis - "Walk Along"
• Albania: Elhaida Dani - "Të Kërkoj"
• Belarus: Uzari & Maimuna - "Time"
• Georgia: Nina Sublatti - "Warrior"
• Spain: Edurne - "Amanecer"
• France: Lisa Angell - "N'oubliez pas"

3 countries have choosen their artists to send to Vienna:

Belgium: Loïc Nottet
Montenegro: Knez
San Marino: Michele Perniola & Anita Simoncini

National selections

Preparations are at full speed around the 39 countries participating in Vienna. The national selections peaks in a few weeks, and so far 13 countries have started their selections, shows and competitions. So far we know that 13 countries will select their entry in February and 7 countries follows in March. Still there are some countries who hasn't announced the dates for their national selection.

Host Insignia Ceremony & Semi-finals

The Host Insignia Exchange took place in Vienna a few days ago, on 26 January. Here the "Eurovision Keys" were handed over to the mayor of Vienna. The keys exist of extreme weird key-hangers from each host the last many years.

We have had the allocation draw deciding who's in which Semi-final. Also the "Big 5" + Austria has been distributed to the two semi-finals for voting.

Tickets

The first batch of tickets has been sold out. In the first round only 25% of the tickets went on sale. The second batch will be on sale from 29 January 2015, but only for the Semi-finals. There will be a third round for getting tickets if you missed the first two rounds.

Event

The host city is selected (Vienna, in case you have been sleeping the last halft year), and the dates are also set: 19, 21 & 23 May 2015.
The Arena is selected: Wiener Stadthalle, and the stage has been designed: 1288 freestanding cylindrical pillars!
Eurovision Village will be located at Vienna Town Hall Square.
Euroclub will be at Ottakringer Brauerei

We are looking forward to see where the Euro Fan Café will be placed!