UK To Host 2023 Eurovision Song Contest
July 25, 2022Next year’s Eurovision Song Contest has been confirmed to take place in the UK.
The show’s organizers have announced that because of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine it is not safe for the event to be held in the country.
The UK – who placed runner-up with Sam Ryder’s "Spaceman" – were invited by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) to act as Host Broadcaster for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, according to Gay Times.
The UK last hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Birmingham in 1998 after Katrina and the Waves won the previous year with "Love Shine a Light."
Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s Executive Supervisor, said in a statement: “We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023. The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions. Continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s Contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event.”
Tim Davie, Director-General of the BBC, added: “It is a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. Being 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 alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity. The BBC will now begin the process to find a host city to partner with us on delivering one of the most exciting events to come to the UK in 2023.”
When the EBU initially discussed the impossibility of Ukraine hosting Eurovision, the country’s Minister of Culture and Information Policy criticized the “nature of such a decision,” saying they “strongly believe that we have every reason to hold further negotiations in order to find a joint solution that will satisfy all parties.”
“Hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine is a strong signal to the whole world that it supports Ukraine now,” he said.
In response, the EBU doubled down on its decision “to guarantee the safety and security of everyone working and participating in the event.”
“At least 10,000 people are usually accredited to work on, or at, the Eurovision Song Contest including crew, staff, and journalists. A further 30,000 fans are expected to travel to the event from across the world. Their welfare is our prime concern,” said the broadcasting body. “It is therefore critical that decisions made in relation to such a complex live television event are made by broadcasting professionals and do not become politicized.”
The host city will be chosen in the coming months following a bidding process that will be launched later this week. Dates for the 2023 contest are yet to be announced.
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