Semi-final 1

S53 E01 • Tuesday, May 20, 2008 • May 20 • 2h 2m

Semi-final 2

S53 E02 • Thursday, May 22, 2008 • May 22 • 2h

Final

S53 E03 • Saturday, May 24, 2008 • May 24 • 3h 16m

For the first time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest, two Semi-Finals were held to decide which 25 countries would be represented in the Final. The Final of the contest took place on the 24th of May, just like the first ever Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. Serbia hosted the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest in the Belgrade Arena. A record 43 countries participated including San Marino and Azerbaijan who made their respective debuts. Austria withdrew and did not return to the competition until 2011. France was represented by a major star, Sébastien Tellier, however he failed to impress the voters of Europe and finished in 19th place. Ukraine's Ani Lorak, who was in the running to represent her country in 2005, finished in second place with her song Shady Lady. Charlotte Perrelli (Nilsson), who won the contest in 1999 for Sweden returned to the competition but finished 18th in the Grand Final.