Britain will host the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine next year, organizers confirmed today after concluding that the war-torn country could not hold the event for “security reasons”.
The Ukrainian entry, Kalush Orchestra, won the annual competition just over two months ago in an emotional victory in Turin, Italy, on May 14, and it is tradition for the winning country to host the event the following year.
But the European Broadcasting Union said last month that after an investigation it concluded that the “security and operational guarantees” needed to organize the event could not be fulfilled by Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC.
The decision to exclude Ukraine from hosting 2023 prompted his culture minister Oleksandr Tkachenko to issue a statement “demanding to change the decision”, while UA:PBC also expressed his “disappointment” at the time. expressed.
The BBC, as the UK’s national broadcaster, which came second this year with Sam Ryder’s Space Man, was invited to host – and the company today confirmed it would be hosting the 67th competition. The event normally draws a television audience of around 200 million and was last held in Birmingham in 1998.
That match came after Katrina and the Waves won last year with ‘Love Shine a Light’ in Dublin, which is still the last time Britain has triumphed. The UK has won the Eurovision Song Contest a total of five times since it began in 1956.
The event is largely funded by contributions from the participating broadcasters, totaling up to £5.3 million and varying for each country. There is also a payment from the host broadcaster – in this case the BBC – of between £8 million and £17 million, which the organizers say will depend on ‘local conditions and available resources’.
There is also a contribution from the host city, either financially or ‘in kind’ such as covering expenses; and then funding through commercial revenue from sponsorship deals, ticket sales, voting, and merchandise.
The UK location for 2023 will be chosen in the coming months, and a bidding process is expected to be launched this week. Organizers said the date for the event will also be revealed “in due course,” as will the logo.
Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Swindon and Wolverhampton have all expressed interest in hosting the event, which will require a large event space , suitable accommodation and international transport links.
The Ukrainian entry, Kalush Orchestra, won the most recent Eurovision Song Contest in Turin on 14 May
Kalush Orchestra poses with the winner’s trophy and the flag of Ukraine after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in May
The UK has staged the Eurovision Song Contest more times than any other country, including in London in 1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977; Edinburgh in 1972; Brighton in 1974; Harrogate in 1982; and Birmingham in 1998.
Ukraine automatically qualifies for the grand final alongside the so-called ‘Big Five’ – the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain – each of whom will receive a free pass for their financial contributions.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK would hold “a fantastic competition on behalf of our Ukrainian friends”, adding that in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week, they “agreed that wherever Eurovision 2023 is held, the country and the people should celebrating Ukraine’.
He continued: ‘As we are now hosting, the UK will deliver on that promise right away – hosting a fantastic competition on behalf of our Ukrainian friends.’
Downing Street said it was Boris Johnson’s “strong wish” for Ukraine to host the Eurovision Song Contest.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It is very regrettable that a Eurovision Song Contest organized by Ukraine will not be possible. But we are confident that the BBC and the UK will pull out all the stops to ensure it becomes an event that celebrates and honors the country, the people and the creativity of Ukraine.”
When asked whether Brits should fly Ukrainian flags to mark the event, the spokesman said: “Absolutely. As we saw, a number of countries and the people of the UK supported both our UK entry and the Ukrainian entry.
“I’m sure the Prime Minister would encourage the public to find out about this opportunity to really show how the UK supports the people of Ukraine.”
Mayor Sadiq Khan, who announced London’s intention to host the Eurovision Song Contest, said on Twitter: “It is very disappointing for Ukraine that they will not be able to host Eurovision next year.
“London is ready and willing to intervene. We would be honored to host a competition that celebrates the people of Ukraine and showcases the very best of Britain.”
The British entry Sam Ryder came in second this year with his song Space Man in the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin on 14 May.
Sheffield is also one of the cities that has made an offer to host Eurovision 2023.
The city’s council said it has told Eurovision Song Contest organizers that Sheffield would find it “loving” to hold the contest after the EBU and BBC confirmed that the UK will host instead of Ukraine. “We’ve told Eurovision that we’d love to host … watch this space,” Sheffield City Council tweeted.
Manchester City Council leader Bev Craig also said the city would apply to host the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023.
She tweeted: ‘Manchester will bid to host @Eurovision @bbceurovision.
‘A world-class music city, stunning venues, experience hosting major events and of course one of the largest Ukrainian populations in the UK – we’re confident we’ll make it a song contest to remember. More to follow.’
Martin Osterdahl, executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, said: ‘We are extremely grateful that the BBC has accepted to host the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023.
The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries four times before.
“As we continue this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s competition will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters, while this year’s winners, Ukraine, will be celebrated and represented at the event. ‘
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: ‘The Eurovision Song Contest unites people through the power of music and creativity.
“Following a request from the European Broadcasting Union and the Ukrainian authorities, I am delighted that the BBC has agreed to step in and host next year’s competition.
“I am just sorry that, due to the ongoing bloodshed in Russia, it has not been possible to host the event in Ukraine, where it should be.
The Eurovision Song Contest 1998 was held in Birmingham after Katrina and the Waves won last year with ‘Love Shine a Light’ in Dublin (pictured in May 1997 after their win), marking the last time Britain has triumphed
“As host, the UK will honor the spirit and diversity of the competition and, most importantly, ensure that it reflects Ukraine’s recent Eurovision victory and Ukrainian creativity.”
Mykola Chernotytskyi, head of the board of UA:PBC, said: “The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will not take place in Ukraine, but in support of Ukraine. We are grateful to our BBC partners for their solidarity with us.
“I am confident that together we will be able to bring the Ukrainian spirit to this event and reunite all of Europe around our common values of peace, support, celebrating diversity and talent.”
And Tim Davie, Director General of the BBC, added: “It is a great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are unable to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.
“To be asked to host the largest and most complex music competition in the world is a great privilege. The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture, as well as showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity.
“The BBC will now begin the process of finding a host city to work with us in delivering one of the most exciting events to come to the UK in 2023.”