This week, Italian broadcaster RAI made their first visit to the EBU’s HQ in Geneva, Switzerland to begin preparations on next year’s contest. RAI met with the EBU’s Eurovision Reference Group, which included newly elected members from – Iceland, France and the Netherlands.
Following the meeting, the Italian Head of Delegation, spoke to Eurovision.tv on the mood so far:
There is a lot of enthusiasm around the Eurovision Song Contest in Italy. This victory is combined with a sentiment of rebirth that Italy really needs. We’re looking forward to working with the Reference Group on producing an incredible ESC in Italy in 2022.
In the story of Eurovision, my favourite song is ABBA’s “Waterloo” and my favourite Italian entry is, of course, Maneskin’s “Zitti E Buoni!”
Our first task is of course to find a great host city over the summer for next year’s show.
Simona Martorelli, Italian Head of Delegation
Martin Österdahl, the Executive Supervisor for the contest, added:
It’s great to finally be able to welcome the Reference Group to Geneva and meet in person for the first time in over 18 months.
The handover between the previous and next year’s Host Broadcaster is always a special moment and even more so this year. We’ve reflected on three spectacular shows in Rotterdam and are excited to welcome the team from RAI onboard and already looking forward to what they will bring us in 2022.
Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor
Who’s in the reference group?
Following elections earlier this year, the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group saw changes to its line-up, which is as follows:
- 🇩🇪 Dr. Frank-Dieter Freiling (ZDF) – Chairman
- 🇸🇪 Martin Osterdahl – Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor
- 🇦🇲 David Tserunyan (AMPTV) – Elected member
- 🇵🇹 Carla Bugalho (RTP) – Eurovision 2018 Executive Producer
- 🇮🇸 Felix Bergsson (RUV) – Newly elected member
- 🇳🇱 Sietse Bakker (NOS) – Eurovision 2021 Executive Producer
- 🇮🇹 Simona Martorelli (RAI) – New member as representative of Eurovision 2022 host broadcaster
- 🇫🇷 Alexandra Redde (France Televisions) – Newly elected member
- 🇮🇱 Yuval Cohen (KAN) – Representative of the Eurovision 2019 host broadcaster
- 🇳🇱 Astrid Dutrenit (NOS/AVROTROS) – Representative of the Eurovision 2021 host broadcaster
According to the EBU, their role is as follows:
- approving the development and future format of the ESC;
- securing the financing of the ESC;
- modernizing the brand and raising awareness of the ESC;
- overseeing the yearly preparation by the Host Broadcaster.
Eurovision 2022 so far: Twelve cities showing interest
Italian broadcaster Rai will be holding a bidding process to determine which city will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2022. By our estimations, Turin is currently a frontrunner, and is seeing support from local politicians, who are now pushing for the city to host. The official bids have yet to be put forward but so far we’ve heard from the following cities.
- Bari
- Bologna
- Florence
- Milan
- Naples
- Pesaro
- San Remo
- Reggio Emilia
- Rimini
- Rome
- Turin
- Verona
Måneskin won the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with “Zitti E Buoni”, taking us to Italy for the first time since 1991. We will report as the bidding process continues!
Are you looking forward to Eurovision 2022? Do you hope Armenia returns? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify and YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 national final season!
