1) Choose a Country

Each person must choose a country to represent before the date of the contest. Once a country is selected, it must be marked on the wiki. Only one person per country and only one country per person. The semi-finals are on 12th & 14th May so all countries must be chosen by 15th May (so that we can prep the "welcome packs").

2) Cook for Europe

You must bring a dish to exemplify this country's cuisine. Remember, you are representing your country to the rest of Europe, so choose (and cook) well.

3) Build a Wiki Page for Your Country

If able, you must build a wiki page for your country. If you are not able to build a page, let us know when you have chosen a country and we will mark it for you on the wiki. Build well and build often because there will be a prize for the best wiki page as judged by the hosts. There may be other prizes as well. (All judges decisions are final. No correspondence will be entered into.)

4) Have fun!

Choosing a country is serious business so we want to do all we can to help

There are several ways one can go about choosing a country:

• One could choose a country with which they have a natural affinity through birth, a family member or a really fabulous holiday. This could be risky if one is looking to win but it does mean that you will be a convincing supporter.
• One could choose a country because they like the food. This is also a risky option in terms of winning but it does mean that you are guaranteed a good dinner.
• One could choose a country based on past performance. Once again, this could be a risky option. Past performance is no indicator of future performance. Eurovision performance could go down as well as up.
• One could choose a country based on the video However, the video may not be a fair representation of the performance on the night. Three years ago Romania had an amazing video (dancers, fire breathers, corridors, incredible); on the night it was a lack-lustre performance that left one host very dissapointed. One can never predict what a well placed firework display or a prosthetic head can do for a performer.
• One could choose a country based on the novelty of the act/performer. Tranvestites seemed to be a theme last year. Misguided, offensive, and downright annoying nationalism may not be a good choice.
• One could choose a country based on the sexual allure of the performer. Again, not necessarily a safe bet (see some past winners) but in these phone voting days, it does hold sway.
• One could choose a country based on the song (novel!) This might be the safest choice if you are a fan of Europop. Glitch hop fans (or, indeed anyone with musical taste) should avoid this option.

When you are ready to choose a country, mark your choice on the list above by turning it into a wiki page (click on the country name and make sure you stake your claim by typing "MINE!" or "Nicola's Country, mits off!" or your name or similar on the new wiki page you've now created. You snooze you lose so make sure you add some text to make your selection official).

The wonderful people at Eurovision have loaded videos (of varying qualities) from all of this year's 42 entrants. Take a look at the Eurovision Medialounge.