Eurovision 2023 will take place in the UK, despite Ukraine’s victory in 2022, the British government has just confirmed.
“Following a request from the European Broadcasting Union (which organizes the event, editor’s note) and the Ukrainian authorities, the BBC has agreed to host the competition next year,” British Culture Minister Nadine said in a statement. Dorries, while the United States Kingdom had obtained second place last May, with its candidate Sam Ryder.
The organizers of the competition announced last June their decision not to allow Ukraine to host the competition, for security reasons.
“Under the current circumstances, the UA:PBC [la compagnie nationale publique de diffusion d’Ukraine] cannot meet the security and operational conditions necessary to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest in accordance with the provisions of its rules”, the EBU had thus indicated.
Despite protests from Ukraine, which is determined to continue hosting the competition in 2023, the EBU stood by its decision, pointing to “risks of air strikes” or “drone or missile” attacks.
On May 15, the day after the victory of Kalush Orchestra, the Ukrainian group, President Zelensky had announced that Ukraine would host the competition for the third time in its history. “We will do everything possible to one day receive Eurovision participants and guests in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Free, peaceful, rebuilt!” He promised.
Source: BFM TV
