Preparations on schedule in Oslo!

The arena itself, which has a capacity of some 17,000 guests during the Final of Europe's favourite TV-show, is currently undergoing a make-over, as hundreds of metres of banners and fabric are being used to dress it up in the official theme art of the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest.

For a big television production like the Eurovision Song Contest, an extensive rehearsal schedule is being followed which starts weeks before the actual live shows. Over the past days, the crew have held several technical rehearsals. The open rehearsals with the 39 contestants will start this Sunday, and will last until Sunday the 23rd of May. Today, for example, a voting rehearsal took place to make sure that everything is well-prepared when the first contestants set foot on the stage floor early Sunday morning. Reliable sources behind the scenes told Eurovision.tv that viewers can expect "some surprises" during the live shows. To produce two state-of-the-art Semi-Finals and a spectaculair Final, NRK is working with the latest technology in television production.

Each contestant has two open rehearsals, and two press events. For the first time, several of the contestants have also signed up to the opportunity to hold meet-and-greet sessions with the fans. During these sessions, accredited fans have the opportunity to ask questions, have their CDs signed and take pictures with their favourite participants. All open rehearsals ánd press conferences will be covered by Eurovision.tv.

The press centre, build up next to the Telenor Arena, is almost ready to welcome over 2,000 accredited journalists and some 300 fans. The compound consists of a spacious reception, a working area for over 500 people simultaneously, a press conference area for some 700 attendants, a restaurant, a lounge area and office facilities for the organisers. 

Behind the scenes, volunteer coordinators work hard to make sure that all participating delegations are being picked up from the airport, and will safely get to their hotels in downtown Oslo. According to one of the volunteer coordinators, more than 500 volunteers have been trained to support delegations, press and crew during their stay in Oslo. "They are the backbone of our organisation," an NRK spokesperson said. At the airport, they will also be welcomed by enormous Share The Moment banners, featuring theme art of this year's contest.

The press- and accreditation centre for the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest will open at 8:30 this Saturday.