Ladies and gentlemen, here we are.  After months of Post Eurovision Depression, we can finally blow the dust off of our chisels as we start to carve the first new names into ESC History for this year.

(Or, at least, we’ll try.  This is Belarus, after all.)

Friday, December 7 brings us the first National Final of the 2013 calendar, when all eyes turn to Minsk, Belarus and Eurofest.  Ten songs will compete for the right to represent their homeland in Sweden this May, and hopefully bring the nation back into the Finals for the first time since 2010.  Some are familiar names to those who keep an eye on the National Final scene (or, at least, keep an eye on Eurovision scandals).  Let’s take a look at the roster:

1) Vitaliy Voronko – “I Wonder How You”
2) Max Lorens – “I Love Your Charming Eyes”
3) Alyona Lanskaya – “Rhythm of Love”

• (Alyona was originally declared the winner of last year’s National Final with the ballad “All My Life“, but due to allegations of vote-rigging, her victory was revoked in favor of Litesound’s “We Are the Heroes”.)

4) Yan Jenchak (aka “Yankey”) – “Letter to Mother”
5) Beaver Band – “Incredible Girl”
6) Daria – “Catch Me Again”
7) Uzari – “Secret”

• (Uzari, who was one of Anastasiya Vinnikova’s backing singers for the 2011 entry “I Love Belarus“, also participated in Eurofest last year with the song “The Winner“.  Despite the song’s title, he came in 5th.)

8) Alexey Gross – “One Way Love”
9) Nuteki – “Save Me”

• (Rockers Nuteki took part in last year’s Eurofest with the song “Superheroes“, but failed to advance to the finals.)

10) Satsura – “Get Out of My Way”

So, there you have it.  Ten go up, only one comes out.  Unless there’s a disqualification again.  Then two might survive.  Or perhaps three.