Baku Metro will operate a round-the-clock service during the semi-finals and final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, Baku subway assistant chief Mammad Bayramov told Trend on Wednesday. He said Baku Metro's operating schedule during these days has already been approved and Baku Metro is ready to ensure transportation of residents and guests round-the-clock.

The department of the state Historical-Architectural Reserve 'Icherisheher' continues preparations for foreign tourists and visitors who will come to the Eurovision 2012 song contest, to have a good time in the Inner City and Gala reserves. Employees of hotels as well as canteens and trade centres have completed attending English courses. Uniforms were prepared for museum guides.

Selling of cash voucher tickets for semifinals, the major semi-final rehearsal, as well as the main rehearsal final show of the Eurovision 2012 started in Baku. APA reports that the tickets went on sale today at 10.00 in front of shopping kiosk near the Government House. The other five addresses are Heydar Aliyev Palace (11.00-19.00), the kiosk at Nizami, 68 (11.00-19.00), the kiosk near the Cinema Azerbaijan (10.30-18.30), Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre (10.00-19.00), Azerbaijan State Philharmonic Society named after Muslim Magomayev.

The Eurovision.tv website has presented new photos in connection with preparations for Eurovision 2012 in Baku. These photos show how Baku looks before Eurovision 2012.

Baku Crystal Hall, where Eurovision Song Contest 2012 will be held, is ready. It was said at the press conference held by Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Anar Alakbarov and head of Eurovision 2012 working group Adil Karimli, APA reports. The construction of 25 000-seat Baku Crystal Hall started on January 25, 2012. The hall will receive 20 000 people during the contest.

No problems will occur connected with accommodation of tourists during Eurovision-2012 song contest. Head of the department of tourism of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Aydin Ismiyev says travel companies operating in the country are able to cater for the required number of tourists. Ismiyev added that although the hotel business was the private sector, the hotels had been recommended to keep prices stable.

“The Eurovision Song Contest in Baku is a brilliant event. We are also excited with this”, Chairwoman of the Russian Council of Federation Valentina Matvienko told journalists, APA reports. “I would like to note that Russia gave 12 points only to your country for holding this grandiose contest in Azerbaijan. I am sure that this event will be very splendid and beautiful and millions of Europeans and spectators from around the world will have an opportunity to see modern Azerbaijan”.

An information section of the production association Baku Telephone Communications has launched a special activity centre which will respond to all tourist requests during the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, head of the department Ahliman Ismailov told Trend. "All the necessary background information about the infrastructure of the city including the cultural centres, transport, hotels, etc. will be provided in English," Ismailov said. Today, the centre has already received inquiries related mainly to the sale of tickets for Eurovision Song Contest.

The necessary forces and means have been mobilized to ensure stability and security during the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku at a high professional level, National Security Minister, Lieutenant General Eldar Mahmudov said in his article published by official state newspaper Azerbaijan on Wednesday. "The Eurovision Song Contest 2012 will be held in Baku.

Tickets for the final of Eurovision-2012 Song Contest were sold within a few hours. APA reports that the tickets, which went on sale at 15.00 by local time, were sold out by the evening hours. The prices of tickets for the final concert, which will be held on May 26, were between AZN 160-240. It is still possible to buy tickets to semifinals and their rehearsals.