Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
| Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurovision Song Contest 2008 | ||||
| Participating broadcaster | Magyar Televízió (MTV) | |||
| Country | Hungary | |||
| Selection process | Eurovíziós Dalverseny 2008: Magyarországi döntő | |||
| Selection date | 8 February 2008 | |||
| Competing entry | ||||
| Song | "Candlelight" | |||
| Artist | Csézy | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Placement | ||||
| Semi-final result | Failed to qualify (19th) | |||
| Participation chronology | ||||
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Hungary was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "Candlelight", composed by Viktor Rakonczai, with lyrics by Jánosi and Imre Mózsik, and performed by Csézy. The Hungarian participating broadcaster, Magyar Televízió (MTV), selected its entry through the national final Eurovíziós Dalverseny 2008: Magyarországi döntő. 15 entries competed in the national final where "Szívverés" performed by Csézy was selected as the winner based on the votes of a four-member jury panel as well as the votes from the public. The song was later translated from Hungarian to English for Eurovision and was titled "Candlelight". Composer Rakonczai had represented Hungary in 1997 as part of the band V.I.P..
Hungary was drawn to compete in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 22 May 2008. Performing during the show in position 15, "Candlelight" was not among the 10 qualifying entries of the second semi-final and therefore did not qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Hungary placed nineteenth (last) out of the 19 participating countries in the semi-final with 6 points.