In May Ukraine won the Eurovision Song Contest. According to the ESC tradition, the Ukrainians would be the hosts in 2023. But because peace seems a long way off, close allies step in.
Eurovision Song Contest – in addition to the competition for the best song, this also means glitter fountains, bombastic light shows, wind machines, lots of plush and thousands of screaming fans.
How does that fit in with rocket fire and contested front lines that few can predict where tomorrow, let alone next year, will take us? Those responsible have now decided: not at all. Ukraine – this year’s winner of the music competition, Europe’s biggest TV show – will not host the upcoming contest at home. Instead, the second-placed Brits step in.
“Following requests from the European Broadcasting Union and the Ukrainian authorities, I am delighted that the BBC has agreed to host the competition next year,” said British Culture Minister Nadine Dorries. However, it is sad that the ESC cannot take place in Ukraine, where it actually belongs, because of the “continuing Russian bloodshed”.
Ukraine have hosted twice
In mid-May, the Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra won the 66th ESC with the song “Stefania” in Turin, Italy. This is actually the third time that the Ukrainians have gained the right to host the following year, having already hosted in 2005 and 2017.
But the colorful triumph was quickly followed by the harsh reality of war: How to ensure the safety of teams from all over the world and thousands of fans when the Ukrainians themselves have to fear for their lives in many places. Around five months after the outbreak of the war, no one knows when and how it will end. Planning an event of this magnitude borders on the impossible.
Briton Sam Ryder (“Space Man”) took second place in Turin. The UK was quick to pitch itself as a potential host – with Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a close ally of Ukraine, quick to dispel any doubts about usurping the spectacle. “The fact is they won it and they deserve to have it,” he said at the time. Now he promised “to host a fantastic competition on behalf of our Ukrainian friends”.
“ESC 2023 will not be in Ukraine, but in support of Ukraine,” said Ukrainian broadcaster Mykola Chernotytskyi. “We are grateful to our BBC partners for the solidarity they are showing us.” He is confident that the event will be enriched with “Ukrainian spirit”.
Kalush singer Oleh Psjuk made a similar statement. He is sad that the show will not go up in Ukraine. But: “We hope that Eurovision 2023 will have a Ukrainian flavor and celebrate our beautiful, unique culture,” Psyuk told the British news agency PA. He and his band would do anything to ensure that Ukraine wins in 2023 and that the ESC 2024 “can take place in a peaceful country”.
It is the fifth time that Great Britain has hosted the ESC without having won the competition in the previous year. In 1960 the country stepped in for the Netherlands, in 1963 for France, in 1972 for Monaco and in 1974 for Luxembourg.
Which city will be awarded the contract?
ESC boss Martin Österdahl was also grateful that Great Britain stepped in. “The BBC has hosted the competition four times in place of other winners,” Österdahl said. “We continue this tradition of solidarity.” This also ensures that Ukraine will be celebrated and presented as the winner in 2022 throughout the event. As winners in 2022, Ukraine, like the “Big Five” Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Great Britain, do not have to qualify next year, but will automatically take part in the final.
Great Britain is hosting the ESC for the ninth time. The stage was set up in London four times, the last time in 1998 the second largest city, Birmingham, was the party location.
BBC boss Tim Davie spoke of a “great privilege”: “The BBC wants to make this event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture and demonstrate the diversity of British music and creativity.” Now the search for the host city begins. Interested parties such as Manchester and Glasgow can apply from this week, Bristol should also be interested. And: “London is ready to step in,” tweeted the mayor of the capital, Sadiq Khan – it would be an honor for the city. (dpa)