The first semi-final of the “Eurovision” song contest was held at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on May 9, reported TASS. The event was broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation BBC.

As a result, representatives of Israel, Moldova, Norway, Portugal, Serbia, Finland, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Sweden reached the final of the competition. Performers from Azerbaijan, Latvia, Ireland, Malta and the Netherlands dropped out of the competition at this stage.

One of the favorites of “Eurovision 2023” is the singer Lorin from Sweden - she already once, in 2012, participated in the contest and won with the composition Euphoria. Another contender for this year's victory is the Finnish rap artist Kaarija (real name - Järe Peuhenen).

The second semi-final of “Eurovision” will be held on May 11, ten performers will qualify for the final. This year, viewers not only from those countries that participate in the competition will be able to vote for their favorite singer. It was also decided by the European Broadcasting Union in the semi-finals to abandon the evaluation of the jury, made up of professionals in the field of show business, but in the final the winner will still be determined by the opinion of the jury, added to the voting results.