After discussions on whether Estonia should withdraw due to the Russian participation in the 2008 South Ossetia war in Georgia,Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) announced that, due to public demand, they would participate at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, to be held in Moscow.

In August 2008 Estonian Minister of Culture Laine Jänes announced a possible boycott could be held between the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Latvia later rebuked the boycott and announced that they would be present at the 2009 contest.

In September 2008 a public poll was held on whether Estonia should participate at the contest. 66% of the poll takers wished to see Estonia at the contest. ERR later submitted to public demand and announced that they would participate at the contest in May. The winner of the newly formed contest Eesti Laul, replacing the former Eurolaul, was Urban Symphony with the song "Rändajad" (Nomads or Travellers), written by Sven Lõhmus, which received 82% of the final vote.

ERR announced that a new contest, completely different from the preceding Eurolaul, will be used to select the Estonian representative for the 2009 contest. Eesti Laul 2009 will be held on 7 March 2009 and will include ten songs competing for the Estonian ticket to Moscow. An open call for songs for all Estonian residents was launched, with a closing deadline of 8 December 2008. The judging panel that selected the shortlist knew the names of the singers and composers of each song, unlike in the previous "Eurolaul" contest.

ERR received 110 songs for the contest. A jury appointed by the broadcaster selected 10 songs to perform in the contest, with the finalists being known on Thursday, 11 December, on Estonian television. The list of participants include former Eurolaul and Eurovision participants. Laura Põldvere represented Estonia, as a member of Suntribe, at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005. Rolf Junior participated at last year's Eurolaul, coming fourth, and Lowry was a member of Soul Militia, then 2XL, that represented and won the Eurovision Song Contest 2001, along with Tanel Padar and Dave Benton.

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Wikipedia