Scene Concept at European Song Contest 2005

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"Awakening" - the conceptual idea

Dynamic shapes, sparkling lights, transparent and semi-transparent materials and surfaces - that is the overall look of the Ukrainian stage design of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005.

Imagine a "leafy clearing by a river bank in the morning". Because the stage will be more than a place on which the artists to perform their songs. It will become a Garden of Eden with mystical plants and animal life where growth, wealth, colours, beauty, creativity and light are the order the day - and a day that will be completely new, symbolizing the dawn of a new age for both the Song Contest and the Ukraine itself.

The lightening design will use special effects and shift between blurred and clear images, three-dimensional elements and robust edges. Decoration, dynamics, vibration and contrasts will be the key words. The focus of attention will be a strong green - a mix between the Ukraine.s national colours of yellow and blue =contrasted by a fresh orange. The latter is a reminder of the "Orange Revolution" . the start of a new political era under President Yuschenko. Both main colours suggest a clear, bright and reliable design.

In this new era, a "wind of change" will blow away old structures and thinking. Life is based on feelings, which is why the Ukraine.s hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest will be modern, vibrant and a bit mystical - it will be an event that is good for the soul, where people will sing just for the joy of singing.

The stage design will be an opportunity for us to savour beauty and positive feelings . and the visual concept will touch all senses. You will be able to smell the fresh green grass and feel the warmth of a golden sun and the coolness of water and winds.

The stage will be a universe where mankind and nature merge. Tomorrow will replace yesterday. You, your surroundings and the world as a whole will combine. New perspectives will let you approach life with understanding and emotion.

In this context, the Eurovision Song Contest will be a microcosm of the world.s new structure. Its influence will be seen everywhere: at the airport, in the hotel, during rehearsals, in the clubs, in the thinking and behaviour of the Ukrainian people and, finally, on the stage itself.

The Eurovision Song Contest will take this concept seriously and represent freedom and hope. The vision of this year.s event is to unite Europe through music.

The dual personality of the Ukraine will be present everywhere: on the one hand, there will be tranquility, unused potential, grief and antiquity; and on the other hand, youth, energy, humor, authenticity and creativity.

So, wake up! Open your senses and enjoy a new dawn.

The stage

The stage is actually made up of three stages that vary in shape and function. The main stage has a glass floor supported by 140 columns and levels. The two smaller stages on each side of it are moveable and differ in height.

The three stages are surrounded by various screens, blades, cylinders, rotating trees and LED lights, creating a unique atmosphere for every song and making the artist appear to float in space.

A special projector will display graphics and effects across a large globe which will be positioned over the stage, creating yet another dimension.

In fact, there is one vital element which brings the stage to life and brings out its full potential: light.

"My aim is to give each participant their own unique design that harmonizes with the mood of the music," says Per Sundin, Lighting Designer.

Light will be used to increase the depth of the stage. The sophisticated visual effect will be based on 300 moving lights and 500 conventional light sources. All together the lights will create an incredible effect.

To create this, a lightning team of more than 30 people will have spent 41 days behind the lighting desks to adjust every setting and to make sure back-up systems are in place in case one line fails.

"In total, we have over 200 rigging points in the roof and the total weight of the equipment and the set is approximately 55 tons," says Ola Melzig, Production Manager, Lights, Video and Rigging. "A team of six riggers will work around the clock for 18 days to make sure that everything goes up safely. To give you an idea of the size of the installation, we are using 101,236 metres of cable to supply the power and data signal. At the end of the day, the kids are going to love it!"