EBU's statement on Eurovision 2023: Ukraine will not host the contest next year
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The EBU has cleared out with an official statement that Ukraine, the winning country of Eurovision 2022, will not be the ones to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
The EBU has made a clear statement on their decision not to allow Ukraine host the next Eurovision in 2023, despite winning this year, explaining through a detailed statement the reasons and paramaters that make a Ukrainian hosting not feasible for the 67th edition of the contest.
While the discussions between EBU and the Ukrainian national broadcaster took place over the last days, it seems that the challengng security issues rising from the ongoing war in the country were not answered in a satisfying way a major event like Eurovision requires. Specifically the EBU released a statement clearing out things by saying the following.
Following their win at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in May the EBU has been exploring options for the hosting of next year’s competition with Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC, who previously staged the event in 2017 and 2005.
It has become a well-known tradition that the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts the competition the following year, providing certain criteria including ensuring the viability of staging the event and the safety of all stakeholders, including the public, are met.
Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year’s winning country, the EBU has taken the time to conduct a full assessment and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party specialists including on safety and security issues.
The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex TV productions in the world with thousands working on, and attending, the event and 12 months of preparation time needed.
Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC’s governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled by UA:PBC.
The EBU would like to thank UA:PBC for their wholehearted cooperation and commitment in exploring all scenarios in the weeks since Kalush Orchestra’s win on 14 May in Turin and share their sadness and disappointment that next year’s Contest cannot be held in Ukraine.
The EBU has been supporting UA:PBC across a whole range of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues so UA:PBC can maintain the indispensable service they provide to Ukrainians.
As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year’s runner up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom.
It is our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts.
This marks the first time since 1980 where the winning country will not host the next edition. Back at that time Israel although winning on home soil the comeptition for a second year in a row declined hosting the next edition due to financial reasons. If the United Kingdom eventually take over the hosting this will be the fifth time they will be doing it after replacing the Netherlands back in 1960, France in 1963, Monaco in 1972 and Luxembourg in 1974. In addtion they will be the host nation for a ninth tie maitaining their lead as the country that has hosted the contest most times.
Kalush Orchestra competed in the Grand final of the 66th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest singing 'Stefania' and achieved to bring home the third trophy for Ukraine receiving an unprecedented score in the televoting receiving 439 points which gave them the lead with a total of 631 points in the overall score.
Image: Corinne Cumming
AUTHORS
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Angelos D.
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