Eurovision 2021: Rotterdam Socialist Party disagrees with further funding next year’s edition

Eurovision 2021: Rotterdam Socialist Party disagrees with further funding next year’s edition
Thursday, 23 April 2020

  • Hosting the Eurovision song contest 2021 after this year’s cancellation because of the corona virus will cost the municipality of Rotterdam an extra amount of 6.7 million euros. However the Rotterdam Socialist party objects to any extra funds spent for hosting next year's edition. 

    Following this year’s cancellation due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it was more than expected that Rotterdam will have the first say at hosting Eurovision 2021. However new plans for hosting next year's edition in Rotterdam meansthe city will have to pay a further €6.7 million.. That amount iwill be added to the €15 million the city has already spent on the organisation of the 2020 edition, since the cancellation and the damage caused by that is not covered by any insurance.

    With the city council  holding today the vote on the issue , the Rotterdam Socialist party has expressed objections to further funding the next edition of the contest. According to their opinion the party supports the option of  spending such amount to other needs of the city among which is the fight to reduce poverty or to back up the culture industry during the more immediate effects of coronavirus, which  will exprerience a summer without any festivals and cultural events taking place.

    Rotterdam Socialist Party chairman Aart van Zevenbergen focus on the factors that still remains after the coronavirus outbreak and make uncertain even next year’s edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. He urgers the city's priciples to take in mind the advice by Dutch National Institute for Public Health on whether such an international event are safe to take place in Rotterdam. 

    Aart van Zevenbergen says:

    "We think it is unwise if we give the green light now for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam. There is so much uncertainty and the problems just pile up. It is precisely now that we must make informed choices in the interest of the people of Rotterdam. The Corona pandemic has proven that structural changes are needed quickly and taking risks for a Song Festival is therefore inappropriate."

    Meanwhile it not clear whether the Dutch Government or public broadcaster NOS will contribute to the costs of hosting. Under these circumstances a vote will take place today in the City Council indicating where things will go from now on. 

    Source: rotterdam.sp.nl