The organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest have declared that the event would be hosted in the United Kingdom next year due to the fact that war-torn Ukraine is unable to host it securely.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the event, said it was in talks with UA:PBC, the Ukrainian national broadcaster, about how it will host it after Kalush Orchestra won this year’s edition.
However, after investigating safety concerns in the nation, which is now at war with Russia following Vladimir Putin’s invasion in February, it was determined that it would not be staged there.
Instead, after the UK’s Sam Ryder finished second, the EBU stated it will talk to the BBC about hosting the event in the UK.
‘Following their success at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in May, the EBU has been examining alternatives for hosting next year’s competition with Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC, which previously hosted the competition in 2017 and 2005,’ the EBU said.
‘It is a well-known tradition that the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts the competition the following year, provided that certain conditions are satisfied, such as the viability of organizing the event and the safety of all stakeholders, including the general public.’
‘Given the current war since Russia’s invasion of this year’s winner nation, the EBU has conducted a detailed evaluation and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party experts, particularly on safety and security considerations.’
‘The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complicated television productions in the world, requiring hundreds of people to work on and attend the event, as well as 12 months of planning.
‘Following objective study, the ESC’s governing board has determined, with great sadness, that, in the existing circumstances, the security and operational guarantees needed for a broadcaster to host, organize, and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be met by UA:PBC.’
‘The EBU would like to express its gratitude to UA:PBC for their unwavering collaboration and dedication in examining all options in the weeks after Kalush Orchestra’s victory on May 14 in Turin, and shares their grief and disappointment that the Contest will not be hosted in Ukraine next year.
‘Since the invasion, the EBU has been supporting UA:PBC in a variety of ways. We will continue to assist UA:PBC so that they may continue to deliver an essential service to Ukrainians.
‘As a consequence of this decision, the EBU will now commence negotiations with the BBC, as this year’s runner-up, to possibly host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom, in compliance with the regulations and to maintain the event’s continuance.’
‘We fully want for Ukraine’s victory to be reflected in next year’s shows.’ In our conversations with the eventual hosts, this will be a top priority for us.’
There will be more to come.