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Russia’s Polina Gagarina to perform in second part of Eurovision final

Besides Russia, the other semifinal winners are Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Georgia, Serbia, Armenia, Albania and Belgium

VIENNA, May 20. /TASS/. Singer Polina Gagarina, who represents Russia at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, Austria, will perform in the second part of the final due on Saturday.

She participated in a toss-up during a press conference attended by all the ten participants who qualified on Tuesday for the final. The final number at which the participants will perform is due to be determined after the second semifinal on Thursday.

Gagarina confessed that she burst into tears when learning that she had passed to the final. "I am absolutely happy," she said, adding that this feels like giving birth again and seeing her son for the first time.

The singer said she was glad to hear how the whole audience sang the song during her performance and shouted her name. "Thank you for your hearty welcome," she added.

Gagarina, 28, is a winner of the Star Factory, a popular Russian music TV project. Russia has taken part in the Eurovision since 1994 and won the song contest in 2008 with pop star Dima Bilan performing the song "Believe".

Besides Russia, the other semifinal winners are Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Georgia, Serbia, Armenia, Albania and Belgium. Another ten performers aspiring to win the contest will be announced in the second semifinal on May 21.

In the May 23 final, the participants will be joined by the representatives of the big European "five" - Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Italy - as well as the host country and the special guest of the contest on occasion of its 60th anniversary, Australia.

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