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Image source, Reuters
Flamboyant? Me? Meet San Marino's Megara at the Eurovision official opening ceremony
By Ali Abbas Ahmadi
BBC News
The final of this year's Eurovision Song Contest may not be until next weekend but contestants have already been putting on the style for the event's official opening in Malmo.
Representatives of the 37 participating countries will be hoping to emulate Sweden's Loreen, last year's winner with her song Tattoo.
As many as 100,000 visitors are set to descend on the city in Sweden's south-west for the world's largest live music contest.
Here are a selection of photographs from some of the Eurovision hopefuls who posed on the turquoise carpet at the Malmo Arena.
Image source, EPA
Image caption,Olly Alexander is the UK's great hope at this year's final with his song Dizzy
UK hopeful Olly Alexander arrived at the venue wearing a loose-fitting, multi-coloured robe.
The singer, actor and fashion icon is hoping for success with an upbeat dance number called Dizzy.
Image source, EPA
Image caption,Finland's Windows95man in full flow at the opening ceremony
Finland's entry - Windows95man - made a dramatic entrance ahead of the finals.
A Finnish visual artist and DJ - real name Teemu Keisteri - Windows95man's signature entry is to emerge from a giant egg before the dancing begins.
Image source, EPA
Image caption,Denim was the order of the day for Marcus and Martinus, who represent host country Sweden
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,The key to success? Ukraine is represented this year by Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil
Image source, EPA
Image caption,A variety of fashion statements here as Spain's Nebulossa posed for the cameras
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,Working the power suit look big time was Joost Klein - the Netherland's representative
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,Colour co-ordination for the Czech Republic's Aiko (centre) on the turquoise carpet
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,Not to be outdone in the fashion stakes was Lithuania's Silvester Belt
Image source, EPA
Image caption,A dramatic pose by Ireland hopeful Bambie Thug on the turquoise carpet
Image source, EPA
Image caption,Flying the flag for Azerbaijan, that's Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov
