Raiffeisen International presents the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow

 

• Raiffeisen International is main sponsor of Eurovision Song Contest for a second time

• Seven countries in which Raiffeisen International is present will be taking part in the Eurovision finals

Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG is main sponsor of the 54th Eurovision Song Contest currently taking place in Moscow. The banking group's support for the show, which enjoys great popularity especially in Central and Eastern Europe, began last year in Belgrade and found its logical continuation in Russia, one of Raiffeisen International's most important markets.

The local Raiffeisen Banks and leasing companies in seven Central and Eastern European countries – Belarus, Hungary, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia and Ukraine – act as a "presenting partner" and benefit from corresponding presence during the live TV-broadcast.

During the first semi-final on 14 May, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Iceland, Israel, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Sweden und Turkey qualified for the final. In yesterday's second semi-final Albania, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway and Ukraine beat their competitors to the final. In addition, France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom (the "Big Four"), as well as Russia (as last year's winner and this year's host), will participate in the final on Saturday, 16 May.

"The Eurovision Song Contest is the largest international media-event in Russia this year. The show is extraordinarily popular in Central and Eastern Europe and excellently complements our regional sponsoring activities, such as the recent Ice Hockey World Championship", said Michael Palzer, Head of Communications at Raiffeisen International.

The Eurovision Song Contest has a rich tradition and heritage, dating back to 1956. It is one of the few truly pan-European television programmes transmitted live via the Eurovision satellite network, in prime-time on free-to-air television and is watched by more than 100 million viewers throughout Europe and beyond. 42 national TV-station broadcast the show. More than 2,000 journalists, 1,400 of which come from abroad, have been accredited (including journalists from New Zealand, Qatar and China).