Last May, the Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra triumphed in Turin, on theEurovision stage. As usual, the next edition of the European song contest should have taken place in Ukraine. It was even the wish of President Zelensky, who greeted the victory of his compatriots by promising that " Next year, Ukraine will host Eurovision! For the third time in its history. And, I believe, not the last. We will do our best to welcome the participants and guests of Eurovision in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.Free, peaceful, rebuilt! "
However, this wish will not be able to come true. Because of the armed conflict that still opposes Russia and Ukraine, the contest is relocated to the United Kingdom, which ranked second in the 2022 edition of Eurovision.
This Monday, July 25, the British government announced that, after deliberations with theEuropean Broadcasting Union (EBU), the next edition of Eurovision would be held in British territory. The organizer of the contest considered that the security conditions were not sufficient in Ukraine to host such an important event.
The United Kingdom, which volunteered to host the singing contest, assures that Ukraine will always be in the spotlight. " This Eurovision is Ukraine's, and it is a real privilege and honor for the UK to support our friends. I am sorry that because of the bloodshed still caused by Russia, it was not possible to host the event in Ukraine, where it should take place, "said Nadine Dorries, British Minister of Culture, in a statement.
Ukraine had strongly protested against this relocation, decided by the EBU. The British government had also expressed its doubts about depriving the Ukrainians of this symbol of victory. However, an agreement was reached, and the BBC, organizer of Eurovision in the United Kingdom, committed to honor " the culture and heritage of Ukraine. Ukraine is also automatically qualified for the final of the 2023 edition.
After a long selection process of several months, the host city of the competition has finally been designated. On Friday evening, October 7, the official website of Eurovision revealed the name of the city chosen to host the 67th edition of the European song contest. It is therefore in Liverpool that the next edition ofEurovision must take place.
The EBU said that the choice was difficult, but that Liverpool finally won against Glasgow. " Liverpool is the ideal place to host the 67th edition of the Eurovision contest on behalf of Ukraine. The city is synonymous with music, and the Liverpool Arena more than meets all the requirements for staging such a huge event. We have been very impressed by the passion the city has shown for the contest and its inclusive ideas to put Ukraine in the spotlight when the fans arrive next May," said Martin Österdahl, Eurovision Executive Supervisor.
Liverpool will host #Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine...and it's gonna be proper boss 👍
- Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) October 7, 2022
🇬🇧🇺🇦 Find out all about Liverpool 2023 right here: https://t.co/a1zGojGfbr pic.twitter.com/7sZ7SaYjg2
Mykola Chernotytskyi, director of management of the public broadcaster in Ukraine, applauds this choice, pointing out that Liverpool is a sister city to Odessa.
The city of Liverpool and the BBC, organizers of the contest, have therefore promised a very special show, in honor of Ukraine, but also to highlight the "world capital of pop". The Eurovision final is scheduled to take place on May 13, 2023.
The last British Eurovision dates from 1998, and was held in Birmingham.
Eurovision 2023: Sweden wins the contest, France finishes 16th, the complete ranking
Eurovision was back this Saturday, May 13, 2023 at a grand final held in Liverpool in Great Britain. Ranked among the favorites since the beginning, Sweden won the 67th edition of the song contest, thanks to its representative Loreen and her song "Tattoo". France finished 16th in the competition. Discover without further delay the complete ranking! [Read more]
Eurovision 2023: Sweden wins the contest, France finishes 16th, the complete ranking
