Ukraine won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 several weeks ago, following a historically high televote score for “Stefania” by Kalush Orchestra. Now, the EBU and Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC are making plans on how to host Eurovision 2023.
Tkachenko’s statement
Since Kalush Orchestra’s win, the question has been raised if Ukraine will be able to host the contest in their country next year, considering that they are currently at war. In a recent press conference, Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Information Oleksandr Tkachenko has revealed the nation’s plans with regards to hosting the contest:
“We have no doubt that it [the contest] should take place in Ukraine. The only thing is that no one has ever held Eurovision during the war. […] We are now looking for answers with our colleagues to the most important conditions set by the European Broadcasting Union, but I think that we will have to explain during our dialogue that some conditions need to be changed,”
Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko
Tkachenko recognises that the war poses an issue for Ukraine’s ability to host Eurovision next year. However, he also states that there is “no doubt that the contest should take place in Ukraine”. It can be seen from the statement that Ukraine is working hard to create the right condition to host the contest next year. Tkachenko is not alone in his hope to see the contest in Ukraine: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a statement that “Ukraine will host Eurovision”.
Previous hosting experience and other options
The EBU has already met with the Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC to discuss the possibilities for hosting. Following Kalush Orchestra’s win, the EBU released a statement saying that:
“[…] However, as in any other year, we look forward to discussing all the requirements and responsibilities involved in hosting the competition with UA:PBC, and all other stakeholders, to ensure we have the most suitable setup for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.”
EBU
Ukraine does have experience with hosting the contest. In 2005 and 2017, Kyiv hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, and in 2009 and 2013, the city hosted Junior Eurovision as well. Similarly, Kyiv has already expressed their interest in taking up the opportunity of hosting again, saying that “if the choice of organisers is in Kyiv, we will do it [host Eurovision] for the third time.”
If UA:PBC has to make the decision that they are unable to host the contest, other countries will be able to step in and host instead. Currently, several countries in Europe have expressed their interest in this opportunity, including Spain, Poland and the Netherlands.
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