That the next edition of the Eurovision Song Contest it could not be held in Ukraine, still in the midst of the conflict, by now it was clear to everyone but now the official status has arrived. The European Broadcasting Union (Ebu), the organization that manages theEurovision Song Contestconfirmed that the competition will not be held in Ukraine next year despite the Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra won first place in 2022. The most likely location is in Great Britain, the country of the runner-up Sam Ryder with Space Maneven if Italy had made itself available to lend a hand so that the contest was held in Mariupol as requested by President Zelensky himself.
The Kalush Orchestra sings “Stefania” together with the border guards
“After winning the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in May, EBU explored options to host next year’s competition with Ukrainian public broadcaster Ua: Pbc, which previously organized the event in 2017 and in 2005 “reads the official statement. It has become a well-known tradition for the Eurovision Song Contest winner to host the competition the following year, providing certain criteria including ensuring the feasibility of staging the event and the safety of all interested parties, including the public, are satisfied. Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year’s winning country, EBU has taken the time to conduct a comprehensive assessment and feasibility study with UA: PCBs and third-party specialists, including on security issues. . The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex television productions in the world with thousands of people working and attending the event and 12 months of preparation time required.
Kalush Orchestra, the victory at Eurovision 2022: “We would have voted Mahmood and Blanco, see you in Mariupol”
by Luigi Bolognini
Following an objective analysis, the target group, the ESC board of directors, concluded with deep regret that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required of a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the rules of the Esc cannot be fulfilled by Ua: Pbc. EBU would like to thank Ua: Pbc for their sincere collaboration and commitment in exploring all scenarios in the weeks following the victory of the Kalush Orchestra on May 14 in Turin and share their sadness and disappointment for the fact that next year’s Contest cannot be held in Ukraine. EBU has supported Ua: Pbc in a whole range of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues so that UA: PBC can maintain the indispensable service it provides to Ukrainians.
“Following this decision” the note concludes “in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year’s runner-up, to potentially host the event. Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in the UK. It is our full intention that Ukraine’s victory will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with eventual hosts. “