Preparations for the Eurovision 2010 Song Contest are drawing to an end. Ten countries were excluded from the contest due to their inability to secure enough funds for the participation fee. Currently, out of 39 countries, 23 have already selected their participants.

Among those countries participating from the former Soviet Union are Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova and Ukraine. Estonia’s participant is to be known on March 12.

This year, 9 countries withdrew their participation. The Czech Republic explained its withdrawal by its consecutive failures in the contest. Among those who withdrew are Austria, Andorra, Hungary, Italy, Lichtenstein, Luxemburg, Monaco, San Marino and Montenegro.

Contestants from the traditional “big four” — France, Great Britain, Germany and Spain —are expected to perform at the final concert on May 29. The Norway candidate, the country that won the song contest last year, will also join them.

While the two semi-final concerts are expected to take place on May 25 and May 27, the participants of these two concerts are yet to be decided.