Iceland Söngvakeppnin: First Semi-final
Söngvakeppnin kicked off tonight with six songs in the first Semi-final. The first three acts for the Icelandic Final have been chosen
The Icelandic Söngvakeppnin has started. The first of two Semi-finals took place with six artists fighting for the three places in the Final of Söngvakeppnin 2016 on 20 February 2016. The three qualifiers are: Greta Salóme, Karlotta Sigurðardóttir and Hjörtur Traustason & Erna Hrönn Ólafsdóttir.
Next Saturday's Semi-final 2 will qualify three more finalists.
Söngvakeppnin 2016, Semi-final 1
- Greta Salóme - "Raddirnar"
- Hjörtur Traustason & Erna Hrönn Ólafsdóttir - "Hugur minn er"
Ingólfur Þórarinsson - "Fátækur námsmaður"The Band Eva - "Ég sé þig"- Karlotta Sigurðardóttir - "Óstöðvandi"
Sigga Eyrún - "Kreisí"
Söngvakeppnin 2016
6 February: Semi-final 1
13 February: Semi-final 2
20 February: Final
Six songs will compete in each semi-final, and three songs from each will qualify to the final. The six songs that didn't qualify from one of the semi-finals get a second chance to go to the final. After the second semi-final, an expert jury will award one of the eliminated songs a wildcard to the final. All three shows will be broadcasted live.
Just like last year, all the songs must be performed in Icelandic language at the semi-finals of Söngvakeppnin. If a song proceeds to the final of Söngvakeppnin the song shall be performed in the language intended for Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm.
Iceland in Eurovision Song Contest
Iceland's debut in Eurovision Song Contest was back in 1986, and has been participating 28 times since. Best result are two second-places with Yohanna in 2009 and Selma in 1999.
Iceland is the only Northern European country that has yet to win the Eurovision Song Contest.
