The China Mail - It's showtime at Eurovision as semis begin

After months of preparation, contestants from across the continent took to the state-of-the-art stage in Basel in a bid to keep their dreams of Eurovision glory alive.

Their fate will be decided not by the 6,500 Eurovision fans packing the St Jakobshalle arena in Basel, but by millions of television viewers who vote.

A Swiss opening blast of alpenhorns and yodelling, accompanied by dancers in traditional costumes, got the show under way.

Dressed in sparkling silver costumes and dazzling sunglasses, Icelandic duo Vaeb -- brothers Matthias and Halfdan Matthiasson -- were the first contestants to face the stage with their rowing-inspired song "Roa".

Next came Poland's Justyna Steczkowska, 52, who took part in Eurovision 1995 -- the longest-ever time between two appearances. "Thirty years ago it was a concert on stage. Now it's like a little movie," she told AFP.

Underlining the diversity of performances, third on the bill was Slovenia's Klemen, with "How Much Time Do We Have Left" -- written about the experience of his wife being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

Comedy trio KAJ -- who are from Finland but represent Sweden -- are the bookmakers' hot favourites to win Eurovision with their "Bara Bada Bastu" song, based on the joys of having a sauna.

- Spectacular stage -

Sweden fan Tommie Lagerroos dressed up in a bathrobe, as if heading for a sauna, as he waited to enter the arena.

"You never know what's going to happen. But I think I trust the sauna process. I think turning up the heat, that's all Europe needs right now, right?", he told AFP.

Fifteen acts battled for votes in Tuesday's semi, with 10 going through to the final.

The spectacular stage stretches deep into the arena with Eurovision fans on three sides.

Pyrotechnic blasts, 4,500 pulsing lights and lasers, and ever-changing giant screens set the mood for each song.

Lighting designer Tim Routledge said the staging meant he could create a "three-dimensional frame of light using real clever, punchy equipment".

"We tried to bring the audience as close to the stage as possible," set designer Florian Wieder told a press conference.

- Celine Dion mystery persists -

Switzerland last hosted Eurovision in 1989, after Canada's Celine Dion won the contest the year before, competing for Switzerland. That win helped turn Dion into a megastar.

Organisers are tight-lipped as to whether Dion, now in fragile health, might spring a surprise star turn.

She sent a video message which was screened at the untelevised dress rehearsal for the first semi-final.

"I'd love nothing more than to be with you in Basel right now," she said, in front of a backdrop of flowers and candles.

"Winning the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland in 1988 was a life-changing moment for me.

"Music unites us -- not only tonight, not only in this wonderful moment. It is our strength, our support, and our accompaniment in times of need."

Asked whether Dion might appear, a Eurovision spokesman told AFP: "All elements of the first semi-final show were played through and rehearsed intensively.

"There are currently no changes regarding Celine Dion -- we are still in close contact with her."

- New format -

Semi-finals were introduced in 2004 and give acts the chance to establish themselves with viewers before the grand final.

Following Thursday's second semi, 26 countries will take part in Saturday's glitzy final, which will, as ever, be dripping in kitsch and party spirit.

This year, for the first time, three countries will be shown on screen as one is informed they have made it through to the final.

Though 10 go through, the scores are only revealed after Saturday's final, making it hard for acts and fans alike to gauge momentum.

Bookmakers have Sweden, Estonia, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Albania and Belgium as their favourites to progress from Tuesday's semi.

X.Gu--ThChM