Scandinavian countries seem to be very optimistic about their chances competing in the 2013 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest which will be taking place in Sweden. Despite being many weeks and months away noting that this years' edition from Baku, finished just a couple of days back, Finland have decided to commence their process. The broadcaster, YLE has called for song submissions for the selection which will be quite similar to last year under the title UMK. 

It is quite interesting why they decided not to make any notable changes especially due to the fact that the showcase received terribly low ratings with fans describing the process mediocre at best. The competition will mark a return but it has to be noted that the focus at this stage would be on the performer who has to be from Finland or at least have Finnish citizenship. The song which is submitted does not have to comply to any rules of the Eurovision Song Contest. The performers have to be at least sixteen (16) by the date of the first semi-final in 2013 although songwriters can be younger than that. One of the most interesting rules at this stage is that those who decide to enter, cannot participate in any other nations' preselection process.

The submissions have to be sent in between the 3rd and the 16th September 2012 and the top twelve (12) will be published on the 3rd December 2012 noting that things are being organized even earlier than they were for this years' selection. Pernilla Karlsson representing Finland with the song Nar Jag Blundar failing to make it through to the final by virtue of finishing in twelfth place. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news. 

Source: YLE, Eurovision.tv