A number of Ukrainian and British politicians and public figures are calling for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest to still take place in Ukraine, yet the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is sticking to its decision not to do so. Meanwhile, Brussels and RTBF are not saying no to a possible organization in the Belgian capital next year.
The Minister of Media and Culture for Wallonia and Brussels, Bénédicte Linard, has made those intentions known, although she said that all those involved must first have a consultation before Belgium puts itself forward as a candidate. “At the moment neither the City of Brussels nor I have been in contact with EBU. If that were the case, it would require that the communities, regions and RTBF and VRT be mobilized,” said Linard.
It is with regret that the EBU has taken the decision to move the event to another country.
European Broadcasting Union
According to the British newspaper The Guardian, the European Union would like the festival to take place in Brussels. The EBU itself does not say anything about a possible candidacy of the Belgian capital. However, it wrote in a new statement that it “fully understands the disappointment about not being able to organize the Song Contest 2023 in Ukraine. The decision was made due to EBU’s responsibility to ensure that the conditions are safe for everyone who cooperates and takes part in the event.”
Ukraine, which won the Eurovision contest last May, denounced the decision to withdraw the hosting of the next edition for security reasons after the Russian invasion of its territory. “Hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine is a strong signal to the world that it supports Ukraine now. We will demand to change this decision because we believe that we will be able to fulfill all commitments, as we have repeatedly stressed to the European Broadcasting Union,” said Oleksander Tkatchenko, Minister of Culture of Ukraine.
Ukraine does not agree with the nature of the decision made by the European Broadcasting Union.
Oleksander Tkatchenko, Minister of Culture of Ukraine
The EBU noted that planning for the contest must begin immediately in the host country. At least 10,000 people are accredited to work on the Eurovision Song Contest and roughly 30,000 fans are expected to arrive. “Their safety is our first concern. It is of utmost importance that decisions on such a complex TV event are taken by professionals and not politicized. The rules say that the event can be moved in case of force majeure.”
The EBU has also sought the advice of independent experts, who say the risk of conflict is very high. No major international concert is planned in Ukraine in 2023. The Union has stated that it will continue discussions on finding a suitable venue for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
The organizers of the competition have announced that they are looking into the possibility that Great Britain, second in the ranking and with whom EBU is currently in talks, could host the event. If the contest were to be held in Brussels, it would be in the name of Ukraine, as a symbolic gesture of solidarity of the capital of the EU. Ukraine has been in talks with for several weeks with European leaders to become part of the European Union, so many believe it could be seen as a nod to the country.
