Saturday 8 May and the rehearsals started for the first songs from semi final one. ESC Covers have on line accreditation and a team of reporters will follow it in shifts and report for us. Here is the third report from the first rehearsal – that of Russia.

Russia is the highlight till now. Manizha starts singing in a huge traditional dress, from which she literally steps out dressed in a overall. Later in the song the wall behind her is covered with video portraits of Russian women. This is a clear statement by Manizha. The performance is strong, colourful and vibrant.