Fourth Finnish Semi-Final
3^rd February 2006

By Jukka Väisänen

Cold Fridays were very typical during the Finnish semi-final season. The temperature was just - 20°C. Anyway, the atmosphere was very anticipating, because the semi-final included a fairly varied selection of artists.

Once again, I had the very delightful chance to interview the artists personally. Ms. Marita Taavitsainen spoke about her feelings by saying that it seems to take such a long time when you're waiting for something. She announced that she would be singing in Finnish also in Athens. Marita had exercised and relaxed after Christmas. She had got many suggestions for her entries. Both her songs will be played on the national radio.

Ms. Katariina Hänninen was very excited but she had also experienced that the Finnish climate was very cold. She promised to sing her song in English at the Finnish final. She is also acquainted with some of the former Eurovision songs. She likes Why by Geir Rönning and Why Me by Linda Martin. She had had some alternatives for her entries. She told that both her songs will be published on her new album.

Mr. Teemu Mustonen from the group Safe Six said that he had good feelings. They had started their work many months ago and they had done much with the choreography. He liked the fact that they have chosen a good language for expressing their music, because the lyrics are very important. Teemu has watched the ESC from his childhood, and his favourite song is Fångad Av En Stormvind from 1991. He has been at the Finnish final twice before: in 2004 as a background vocalist for Iina and Gary, and in 2005 for Jennie - and also at the semi-final for Gary Revel Jr. Gary is also a member of Safe Six and he wanted to make both entries for the Finnish semi-final.

The show started with guest stars. They were Jarkko and Laura, who sang the Finnish entry of Eurovision 1969, Kuin Silloin Ennen.

First we heard Marita Taavitsainen with Enkeli Itkee. It was a beautiful schlager ballad of love. Then it was Katariina's turn, who sang Pala Taivasta. It was a pop ballad of a love story that has come to its end. The third artists were Safe Six, who sang the entry Livin' It Up. It was an up-beat song about life with very lively choreography.

The second guest star was Mr. Riki Sorsa, who sang his Finnish entry from 1981, Reggae OK. He was very proud of his own entry.

The second round at the contest was started by Marita Taavitsainen, who sang a schlager song, Antaudun, which was about dreaming. Then Katariina sang her other pop ballad Liian Aikaisin, which was a story of the sorrow that comes after love. The third song was Safe Six's I Can't Wait, which was a simple ballad with the emphasis on Gary Revel Jr's singing performance. The title describes very well the theme of their entry.

The public televoted for the final the entries: Enkeli Itkee by Marita Taavitsainen, Pala Taivasta by Katariina Hänninen and I Can't Wait. The Finnish final will take place on 10^th March at Turku, Caribia 994 Hall.

Jarkko & Laura