Belarusian broadcaster BTRC has been suspended by the EBU and therefore Belarus is not allowed to participate in Eurovision events. Let’s take a look at what Belarus has brought to the Eurovision Song Contest since 2004.
The Belarusian national final for the Eurovision Songcontest 2008 consisted of two shows: a semi-final and a final. Fifteen songs participated in the competition.
The semi-final took place on 21 December 2007 at the BTRC studios in Minsk. Public televoting first selected the song Hasta la Vista performed by Ruslan Alekhno. An expert jury then selected an additional three songs to qualify to the final: I Can’t Live Without You performed by Gunesh, Devochka Tryohtysachnih Let performed by Po Glazam and Do You Believe performed by Litesound.
The final took place on 21 January 2008 at the Sports Palace in Minsk. A jury made up of music professionals chose the song Hasta la Vista, performed by Ruslan Alekhno and written by Taras Demchuk and Eleonora Melnikas, as the winner.
At the ESC Belarus took part in the second semi-final and finished in 17th place with 27 points, failing to qualify for the Grand Final.