PÆNDA has been been granted a fond farewell with a party in Vienna ahead of her trip to Tel Aviv to represent Austria in Eurovision 2019.
The Director General of ORF, Austria’s public broadcaster, ORF Program Director and Eurovision talent scout Eberhard Forcher along with many friends and fans came to wish Austria’s contestant and the delegation good luck for the contest. ORF’s Eurovision commentator Andi Knoll hosted the proceedings.
PAENDA also performed her song “Limits” and presented her new album “Evolution II” which will be released on April 26.
Speaking at the event, ORF Director General Alexander Wrabetz said:
Austria and the Song Contest is a success story since 2014 at the latest! With PAENDA, we continue to pursue our path and once again start with an outstanding local talent. Remarkably, I find that PAENDA is not only an interpreter of her song, but has also written and produced it. I wish her all the best for her big performance.
And according to the Head of Delegation for Austria, Stefan Zechner:
Preparations for the ESC are now in the home stretch and I am looking forward to seeing the implementation of our months of work on the big stage in Tel Aviv
In addition to her promotional appearances in London and Amsterdam, the Austrian representative also has a number of appearances planned on domestic TV including at the “Amadeus Austrian Music Awards” and on “Dancing Stars.”
ORF is planning a detailed schedule of Eurovision related content over the Eurovision week:
Friday, April 26:
PAENDA at “Dancing Stars” (8:15 pm, ORF one)
Sunday, May 5:
Departure to Tel Aviv
Monday, May 6:
First rehearsal in Tel Aviv
Friday, May 10th:
Second rehearsal in Tel Aviv followed by a press conference
Sunday, May 12:
Mayor’s Reception and official opening of Eurovision 2019
Tuesday, May 14th:
8:15 pm, ORF one: “Mr. Song Contest proudly presents “- Andi Knoll presents his Top Ten of the first Semifinal
21.00, live on ORF one: ESC 2019 – First Semifinal
23.15: “Song Contest – Setteles encore” (an aftershow program with Hanno Settele, a loyal Eurovision spectator for decades).
Wednesday, May 15:
Dress rehearsal for the second semifinals – international juries award their points
Thursday, May 16:
8:15 pm, ORF one: “Mr. Song Contest proudly presents “- Andi Knoll presents his top ten of the second semifinal
21.00 hrs, live on ORF one: Eurovision 2019 – Second Semifinals (Austria with start number 9)
23.15 hrs: “Song Contest – Setteles encore “
Saturday, May 18:
8:15 pm, ORF one: “Mr. Song Contest proudly presents “- Andi Knoll presents the finalists of the biggest TV entertainment event in the world.
9 pm, live on ORF one: ESC 2019 – Finale
0.30 pm: “Song Contest – Setteles encore”
PÆNDA was revealed as the Austrian act for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv in late January. She will be performing the song “Limits,” which was revealed on March 8. She will perform in the second semi-final on May 16 for a spot in the final on May 18.
Source: ORF
Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest
Austria debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957, Bob Martin represented the country on their debut, but finished in last place scoring just 3 points. The country has gone on to finish last in the contest on 8 occasions. Austria has won the contest on two occasions, the first being in 1966 when Udo Jürgen performed “Merci, Cherie”. It was 48 years later than Austria won again when Conchita Wurst performed “Rise Like a Phoenix” scoring a total of 290 points.
