VAfter the last competition, Ukraine will not be able to host Eurovision next year. The European Broadcasting Union is examining the possibility of Britain, second in the ranking, replacing it. “Under the current circumstances, the security guarantees and operational guarantees necessary to host, organize and produce Eurovision (…) cannot be fulfilled” by Ukraine, the EBU said in a statement.
The organization will therefore “enter into discussions with the BBC, whose competitor came in second place, to potentially host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in the United Kingdom”, added the press release. A decision denounced by Ukraine. “Ukraine does not agree with the nature of the decision taken by the European Broadcasting Union,” said Culture Minister Oleksandre Tkatchenko in a statement, calling for “additional negotiations”.
The country of the group or artist who won the Eurovision Song Contest should normally organize the competition the following year. The Kalush Orchestra of Ukraine, whose song “Stefania” mixes hip-hop and traditional music, won the competition in Italy on May 15, ahead of the United Kingdom and Spain, thanks to the vote of viewers who voted for the group representing the country invaded at the end of February by Russian troops. The EBU, however, underlined that it had “the firm intention that Ukraine’s victory will be reflected in the shows next year”.
Boris Johnson delighted with this decision
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson welcomed the initiative, according to his spokesperson. “We would, of course, be happy to be able to work closely with Ukraine and the BBC to bring him here to the UK,” the spokesperson said. He added that the UK would “commit to ensuring” that the competition “broadly reflects Ukraine’s rich culture, heritage and creativity”.
