Although Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, the event’s organisers announced the upcoming edition is to take place in the UK, which was the runner-up with Sam Ryder.
The decision has been taken as Ukraine cannot host such an event amid the war, which has been raging there since Russia launched its invasion nearly half a year ago.
https://twitter.com/Eurovision/status/1551522740229783552
Martin Österdahl, Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor, said he is “exceptionally grateful” that the BBC has accepted to stage the next year’s contest in the UK.
The BBC’s Director-General Tim Davie stated that the fact that Ukraine won’t be able to host the 2023 edition of Eurovision is “a matter of great regret”.
“The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity”, – he explained.
“The BBC will now begin the process to find a host city to partner with us on delivering one of the most exciting events to come to the UK in 2023”, – he enthusiastically added, as quoted by the Evening Standard.
The UK has already hosted the popular song contest eight times, a record. The first three “British” editions took place in London in 1960, 1963 and 1968, while the 4th one took place in Edinburgh in 1972. Then came Brighton 1974.
In 1977, the contest was organised again in the British capital before taking place in Harrogate in 1982. The latest edition took place in Birmingham.
Several British cities are expected to apply to the BBC and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as a candidate for hosting Eurovision 2023. According to a recent survey conducted by Eurovisionworld, Liverpool is the favourite so far.
Credit: Euriovisionworld
The candidate cities will have to meet a series of requirements to be taken into account. They will have to provide an appealing conception of the way they would host the event. Besides, they should be located not too far from an airport and have an appropriate venue, among other things.
Image: Twitter (@Eurovision)
Author: Sébastien Meuwissen
