By Evgeny Perlin: The official Eurovision opening ceremony in the Ukrainian capital brought together contestants from 42 countries and hundreds of music journalists. The participants walked a record-long red carpet of 265 m.
The most large-scale interview zone combined the Parkovy Congress and Exhibition Center and the Mariinsky Palace. NaviBand appeared there in the first part of the ceremony, walking the red carpet for almost two hours, which is a record in the history of Belarus' participation in Eurovision.
Ukraine presented the traditional flag ceremony in a new format. For the first time during Eurovision Week opening, the flags of the participating countries were launched into the sky with balloons from a heliport.
The ceremony was attended by Mayor of Kiev Vitaly Klichko, who welcomed the participants. Previous Eurovision winners Mans Zelmerlow and Jamala were also among the attendees. The event featured performances by the National Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Ukraine and lead singer of the band Vopli Vidoplyasova Oleg Skrypka.
The delegations discussed Eurovision arrangements during an evening cocktail party, the cost of outfits for Eurovision presenters being the hottest topic.
Today will see the first Eurovision dress rehearsals in Kiev, the evening rehearsal to be presented to the national juries of the countries performing in the first semifinal.
The first Eurovision semifinal will be broadcast tomorrow at 23:00 on Belarus 1 and Belarus 24.












