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Eesti Laul 2009
Estonia: New name, new format, new dynamics
Heydi Purga, executive producer of Eesti Laul 2009, explains the change from Eurolaul (Eurosong) to Eesti Laul (Estonian song): "Because our purpose is to change the nature of that competition, we had to change name as well. We expect and hope that musicians will send us songs that associate with themselves and suit Estonian musical taste. Musicians must not lose their personality because it is an international competition and become some kind of "euro product". In addition we wanted to organise an open competition and let the jury know who they are listening to and who the composers are", and she concludes: "And if one day there will be decision that we don't want to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest any more, then Eesti Laul could continue as a important music event in Estonia."
ERR have launched an open call for songs for all Estonian residents, the closing deadline is 8th December. This time the jury who will be making the initial shortlisting will know all the names of the creators of the songs unlike past years. The jury will select ten of the songs until 11 December which will be announced on the same night on an ETV special show.
The ten finalists will be presented to the Estonian public through a series of televised shows: "It will be the biggest TV-show series which will promote local pop-music" says Head of Entertainment Mart Normet. "Hopefully we can now and in the future offer the best Estonian song to Estonian people." The introductory live show will be broadcast 7th February, three more shows will follow on February 14th, 21st, and 28th. The Final of Eesti Laul 2009 will be held in March 7th 2009. The exact method of voting will be announced at the latest February 7th 2009 and the running order will be announced at the latest February 28th 2009.
The rules of the Estonian preselection can be found here.
Special thanks to Martin Paberit for his assistance with the article.
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Gary Speirs
ETV still exists.
Estonian Television and Estonian Radio united.
Since June 2007 it's called "Eesti Rahvusringhääling" which means Estonian National Broadcasting in English.. But channels like ETV or ETV2 , or radio stations Raadio 2, Vikerraadio etc still have their own name.. 
Um...how about if they decided not to participate, THAT would be time for a name change. I liked Eurolaul. But as long as I can catch it online, I suppose I can live with the name change!
Thanks EuroSheep.... not a problem!
Keep singing!
I just hpe that this format will work...and that Estonia will finnaly pick good entry...after all these terrible entries...from last years...
Gary Speirs
Ah sorry! It was only a joke, but I was in a rush so I didn't have the time to put in any smileys... 
silly me!!!
And no, I'm not from Wales - otherwise I think I would be Euroc(shagged) Sheep!
And ETV does still exist, it's just been merged with the other Estonian media to form ERR, the huge parent company!!!
come on
lets see eurovision come backwest this year, or north is ok too
with the dramatic changes with the voting with hopefully a 50-50 jury - televote split, we could see eurovision 2010 in any of these great capitals, come on europe, make the right choice lol:
United Kingdom: London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Cardiff
Ireland: Dublin
Sweden: Stockholm
Iceland: Reykjavik
Norway: Oslo
Denmark : Copenhagen
France: Paris
Germany: Berlin
Spain: Madrid, Barcelona
Portugal: Lisbon
Andorra: Andorra La Vella
Malta: Valetta
Switzerland: Berne
Belgium: Brussels
Netherlands: Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam
San Marino: San Marine
Euro Sheep
Thanks and ouch!
You Welsh?
They really need to send Maarja.
Gary Speirs
ETV hasn't existed since June 2007, see this article:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eesti_Rahvusringh%C3%A4%C3%A4ling
and get with the times...
Estonia used to have better songs when they sang in Estonian. Estonia, get back to your native language, please
Good luck to Estonia... hopefully their brothers-in-arms join them in the same semi this year (that should at least deliver them with a final).
And Marc... I agree... lol
Candyman,
Maybe it's time for Greece to withraw ok..... I really do hope that Sakis falls on his cute face and stays in the semi... But he it's Greece, so that will never happen. You see dear Mina, a few weeks ago you asked why always negative against Greece, here is your answer my friend. Because you Greeks are the most fanatic of all.
@ drusus1
I think it's the right attitude not to try desperately to please the European taste, but to bring some entries which illustrates the Estonian taste...
The act which represents ESTONIA should please in this moment the majority of the ESTONIANS and not in first line the Armenians, Greeks or Serbs.
btw.: Estonian is a beautiful language, I would finally like to hear a song with Estonian lyrics in Eurovision... Mere Lapsed has happened already ten years ago...
oh so they won't withdraw. pity
whats ERR? what happened to ETV?
I AGREE!!!!!
Maarja Liis Ilus FOR ESTOINIA 2009!!!!
Maarja Liis Ilus !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
INEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES
Agree totally with Down Low. Ines shall get a second chance, she is exactly what Estonia needs now. Well, I just hope not to see only weird alternative songs.
This thing of having an Estonian song with the Estonian personality leads me to think of an Estonian patriotical anthem. As a protest, etc.
INES INES INES INES!!!
She was ROBBED in 2006! Iseendale is such a great song and they chose that lame other.
Estonia seem to always send the wrong songs.
INES INES INES!! and please in ESTONIAN!
Iseendale, Keerlen... both good songs.
This "new" format is almost the same as previous. Only the name is changed because new headquaters don't want to work under the same name as their precursor. Vanity, nothing else.
It seems like nationalism has overtaken EUROlaul....
"And if one day there will be decision that we don't want to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest any more, then Eesti Laul could continue as a important music event in Estonia."
What a stupid comment and what a childish attitude....little cry baby don't wanna play with its little friends anymore if they finally won't recognize the "high quality" of the own entries, which are - of course -meant to represent the " Estonian musical taste " first. Who cares about stupid Europe at a international competition like the ESC lol 
. Yes, sending something typical estonian makes sends if one expects points from all over Europe. Dear Lordi, what a weired strategy.
"And if one day there will be decision that we don't want to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest any more, then Eesti Laul could continue as a important music event in Estonia."
I like this attitude 
Good luck to Estonia - Eurolaul was the first NF I ever watched (apart from my own country ) so I cannot wait for Eesti Laul 2009 and hopefully lots of songs in Estonian!!!
Sounds great! Although the format sounds kinda similar to Eurolaul, any regeneration is a good thing And "eurolaul" is one of my favourite selections, so I expect beig things from Eestilaul!
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