Lithuania: Kaounas and Vilnious interested in hosting Eurovision!
Audrius Giržadas, head of the Lithuanian delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest, discussed what would happen if Lithuania won the contest.
In an interview during LRT Radio’s “Unite Eurovision” program, the LRT producer and head of the Lithuanian delegation to the Eurovision Song Contest talked about what would happen if Lithuania won the Eurovision Song Contest.
Giržadas stated that the first Lithuanian Eurovision entry approached the song contest with two goals: not to come last, but also not to win, because then the country would have to face the costs of hosting the event.
“One of those goals – not to be last – remained. Sometimes I think that yes, winning is scary. Such an event costs a lot – just crazy! What’s more, you never know how much the city municipality will contribute to the budget, how much the country itself.”
According to Giržadas, the Lithuanian representatives and the heads of delegations accompanying them really want to bring victory to their country one day. He also refuted claims by skeptics that Lithuania does not have the right arena to host the Eurovision Song Contest.
“In the same Copenhagen “Eurovision” was held in such a rusty garage – a former shipyard, which was later turned into a warehouse for cinema decorations. The holes were just plugged, black acoustic balloons were placed on the roof and – please! This is a televised event. It can also take place in a cardboard box if it looks good. Because of that, we definitely have a place to do this kind of event and would fit perfectly in one of the available arenas. The bigger headache here would be the budget.”
According to the producer, a more convenient place for such an event is the Žalgiris arena, located in Kaunas.
“Kaunas Arena is more comfortable. Of course, that one entry – the bridge – would be a problem in terms of all safety requirements. However, we could also fit in Vilnius. Especially since there are satellite halls around the reconstructed arena, which can be used, as is often done, to house press centers.”
Finally, Giržadas also talked about his feeling regarding how well Sylvester Belt will do. He said he was afraid to predict how this year’s Lithuanian representative in Malmö would fare. However, he has never been so calm when it comes to qualifying for the final.
“With a few exceptions, we keep getting to the final. And we are not last in the final. Here you know – is the glass half empty or half full? I am very happy that we are doing so well. […] But one day, maybe they will get that winner’s trophy. I really hope.”
Source: LRT
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