The EBU has stated that it will not be able to guarantee the safety of all those who take part in the competition.
European Language Union (EBU), which is organizer of the Eurovision Song Contest, confirmed her decision not to hold it in Ukraine next year . This decision is connected with a full-scale Russian invasion of our country, according to the organization's website.
Read also: Russia deprived Ukraine of Eurovision, but also robbed itself
“The EBU fully understands the disappointment caused by the announcement that the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will not be able to take place in Ukraine, the country that won this year. The decision was dictated by the EBU's obligation to ensure that conditions are met that ensure the safety of all those who work and participate in the competition, the preparation for which must begin immediately, “the statement said.
The EBU said that Eurovision is usually staffed by 10,000 people, and the semi-finals and finals are attended by 30,000 spectators.
The organizers note that they received a security assessment from the Ukrainian side, which included an assessment of the risks of air strikes, missile strikes and drone attacks. In addition, invited outside security experts stressed that the measures proposed to mitigate security threats are insufficient for an international event.
“Apart from security concerns, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine may lead to that delegations of participants will be reluctant to go to the country. We also heeded NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg's comments that the war in Ukraine “may drag on for years,” the statement said.
The EBU also said that it had considered the possibility of holding the competition in cities close to neighboring countries, but believed that the characteristics of the proposed venues and the lack of the necessary infrastructure would not allow to hold “Eurovision” in them. In addition, it was taken into account that large concert tours of foreign performers are not planned for 2023 in Ukraine.
It will be recalled that Kalush Orchesta won at Eurovision 2022, which called on to help Ukraine and save Azovstal. The band received 631 points, with 439 points given by the audience.
On June 17, the EBU announced that Ukraine would not be able to host Eurovision 2023. This decision was criticized by the Minister of Culture and Information Policy of our country Oleksandr Tkachenko, who demanded its revision . The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson also stated that the competition should take place in Ukraine. This country took second place at Eurovision 2022 and is considered a possible host country for next year's competition.
See special topic: We demand additional negotiations on holding Eurovision-2023 in Ukraine – Tkachenko The European Language Union has stated that our country will not be able to host the competition next year. Ukraine will not be able to host Eurovision 2023: EBU decision The contest organizers will apply to the United Kingdom, which took second place in this year's contest. Stefania Kalush Orchestra's record set a Spotify record The track became the most listened to in Eastern and Central Asian countries. Kalush Orchestra will receive a new crystal cup of Eurovision winners The band sold its award to help the Armed Forces. The leader of the Kalush Orchestra has put up for auction a pink panama and a statuette of the winners of “Eurovision” All proceeds will be donated to help the Ukrainian army.
