Yesterday, the EBU released a statement regarding the plans for Eurovision 2023 hosting.
According to the statement, the current situation in Ukraine makes it impossible for them to host Eurovision 2023.
Therefore, the EBU has started talking with the United Kingdom’s broadcaster (BBC) in order to plan Eurovision 2023.
The complexity of arranging a huge TV production such Eurovision, leads to long and careful planning of the event, several months ahead. That’s why decisions about the hosting country (as well as the hosting city) are made during the summer.
However, we can reveal that the Ukrainian broadcaster isn’t satisfied with the EBU’s decision (and of course it isn’t surprising).
According to the national broadcaster’s (UA:PBC) official statement, we learn that they have already suggested several cities to host Eurovision 2023: Lviv, Kyiv and Zakarpattia (on the border with Hungary and Slovakia). In order to do so, the broadcaster has collaborated with local authorities.
It is important to note that one of the criteria for Eurovision 2023 is ensuring the safety of the artists, delegations, employees, volunteers and the public.
Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of the Managing Board of UA:PBC, said
“We are disappointed with this decision of the EBU. During this month, a large number of people in Ukraine have thrown all their efforts to fulfill the conditions for holding Eurovision in our country. Security is, of course, our first priority. The team of UA: PBC, state and local authorities did a thorough job and offered different options. It is a pity to see such an unappealable statement, therefore, we ask our partners to hold further negotiations“
As mentioned before, UA:PBC has collaborated with the following authorities:
Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (National Police, State Emergency Service, National Guard) and the Ministry of Defense.
Different suggestions for hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine have been checked and validated by them, before being raised in front of the EBU.
On June 14th, the Official Kick-off Meeting of the organizers from Ukraine with the Reference Group, partners of the Eurovision Song Contest, and the core team of EBU took place. At this meeting, the contest representatives and the EBU considered the presentation of guarantees and preparatory measures, in particular the security questionnaire, and potential locations for the contest hosting prepared by the team of UA: PBC together with the government of Ukraine.
The minister of culture and information policy of Ukraine, Oleksander Tkachenko, reacted:
You can see some familiar names signed in this official letter, among them Eurovision winners from Ukraine: Jamala (2016), Ruslana (2004), Oleh Psiuk (Kalush Orchstra’s member).
Kira Rudik, member of the Ukrainian parliament, leader of the Political party Golos, Vice President of ALDE reacted:
Kira is disappointed with the EBU’s decision. However, she supports Glasgow hosting Eurovision 2023.
What do you think about the situation?
Will you support Ukraine as the host country for Eurovision 2023?
Are you excited about the possibility of the UK hosting Eurovision 2023?
