Ukraine: Minister of Culture asks EBU to reverse its Eurovision 2023 host country decision!

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Ukraine, through its Minister of Culture and Director General of Public Television Suspilne, is requesting an official statement from the EBU, which Ruslana, along with Kalush Orchestra singer Oleh Psiuk, is reversing its decision on the country. which will host Eurovision 2023.

Ukraine, through its Minister of Culture, is requesting the official statement from the EBU about the decision on the country, which will host Eurovision 2023. In this statement signed by Eurovision winners Ruslana and Oleh Psiuk (frontman of Kalush Orchestra) and Mykola Chernotytskyi, the director of state TV channel Suspilne, the minister called for further talks about hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine.

The minister’s statement:

“In response to the published statement of the European Broadcasting Union on the impossibility of hosting Eurovision – 2023 in Ukraine, we want to emphasize the following.”

“Ukraine does not agree with the nature of such a decision – when we were confronted with the fact without discussion on other options. But we strongly believe that we have every reason to hold further negotiations in order to find a joint solution that will satisfy all parties.”

“We honestly won Eurovision and have fulfilled all the condition within the deadlines for the process of approving its holding in Ukraine — we have provided answers and guarantees on safety standards and possible venues for the competition.”

“Hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine is a strong signal to the whole world that it supports Ukraine now. We will demand to change this decision, because we believe that we will be able to fulfil all the commitments, as we have repeatedly [emphasised to] the European Broadcasting Union.”

“That is why we demand additional negotiations on hosting Eurovision 2023 in Ukraine.”

Apart from signing the minister’s statement, CEO of Suspilne Mykola Chernotytskyi released another one himself.

“We are disappointed with this decision of the EBU. During this month, a large number of people in Ukraine have thrown all their efforts to fulfil the conditions for holding Eurovision in our country. Security is, of course, our first priority. The team of UA: PBC, state and local authorities did a thorough job and offered different options. It is a pity to see such an unappealable statement, ​​therefore, we ask our partners to hold further negotiations.”

According to Chernotytskyi, Ukraine had proposed three different possibilities: hosting in Kyiv, Lviv or Zakarpattia. These last two are close to the borders with Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, and have not been under continuous attacks during the war.

Eurovision’s organising body the European Broadcasting Union has confirmed that Ukraine will not host the 2023 contest. In a statement released on Friday 17 June, the EBU said that discussions will now begin with the United Kingdom.

Stay tuned in Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Eurovision 2023: The first minister of Scotland is ready for the contest in Glasgow!

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The first minister or simply the Prime Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon is ready for talks with the BBC, in order for Glasgow to take over the organization of Eurovision 2023.

Her statement comes shortly after the EBU announced that Eurovision 2023 would not take place in Ukraine and that it was starting talks with the BBC to take over the UK next year. The BBC immediately rushed to accept the honor, to take over next year’s Eurovision.

Nicola Sturgeon, who has led the Scottish Government since 2014, is the leader of the Scottish National Party, which is in favor of Scottish independence from the United Kingdom. She is the first high-ranking British politician to make a statement on the issue of hosting Eurovision 2023 immediately after the latest developments.

Glasgow is said to be a big favorite to host Eurovision 2023. According to British media, Glasgow appears to be the BBC’s choice to host Eurovision 2023. Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city, with the River Clyde crossing it from east to west, passing through the center of.

Should Glasgow be selected by the EBU and the BBC for the next competition, it will be hosted by OVO Hydro. OVO Hydro is Scotland’s largest indoor stadium, hosting many sporting and cultural events each year and with a capacity of up to 14,000 spectators. Among others, huge names of the world music scene have passed through the OVO Hydro stage, such as Iron Maiden, Metallica, Muse, Adele, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and others.

We look forward to the developments of the coming weeks and months, in order for the EBU and the BBC to reveal more details about their planning for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

It’s official: Eurovision Song Contest 2023 goes to the UK!

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“Following their win at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in May the EBU has been exploring options for the hosting of next year’s competition with Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC, who previously staged the event in 2017 and 2005.

It has become a well-known tradition that the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts the competition the following year, providing certain criteria including ensuring the viability of staging the event and the safety of all stakeholders, including the public, are met.

Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year’s winning country, the EBU has taken the time to conduct a full assessment and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party specialists including on safety and security issues.

The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex TV productions in the world with thousands working on, and attending, the event and 12 months of preparation time needed.

Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC’s governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled by UA:PBC.

The EBU would like to thank UA:PBC for their wholehearted cooperation and commitment in exploring all scenarios in the weeks since Kalush Orchestra’s win on 14 May in Turin and share their sadness and disappointment that next year’s Contest cannot be held in Ukraine. 

Breaking News: Glasgow will host the Eurovision 2023 in UK if Ukraine pulls out!

The EBU has been supporting UA:PBC across a whole range of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues so UA:PBC can maintain the indispensable service they provide to Ukrainians.

As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year’s runner up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom.  

It is our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts.”

Some minutes after, the BBC made an official announcement, accepting the right to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, as the runner up of Eurovision 2022.

We can call it officially now, that the UK will host the Eurovision 2023!

Source: EBU

Breaking News: Glasgow will host the Eurovision 2023 in UK if Ukraine pulls out!

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The BBC is drawing up plans to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in the UK – after Ukraine won this year’s show. The UK could step in and host instead of Ukraine amid the invasion by Russia.

Sam Ryder finished second last month. The president of Spain’s national broadcaster has all but confirmed the UK will host Eurovision if Ukraine can’t.

Jose Manuel Perez Tornero said: “We don’t want to be left with the mirage of a good result. We are going to go out to win next time. We were also interested in organising 2023 Eurovision. But if Ukraine resigns, it will be the BBC that organises it.”

Glasgow has been earmarked as the city to host the event according to British media. Sam Ryder, was recently asked whether he would be willing to give it another try next year.

Ukraine: Preparations commence as UA:PBC submits questionnaire on security

Sam commented: “I just want more people to experience it…The more people that do, the more it will become engrained in the UK’s attitude that Eurovision is something that we are so lucky to have.” Asked if he would help to find the next hopeful to fly the flag for the UK, Sam responded:

“Of course! Whoever does it is in for the time of their life.”

Stay tuned in Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Ukraine: Preparations commence as UA:PBC submits questionnaire on security

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Hosting Eurovision 2023 is already a widely discussed topic, due to the situation in the winning country Ukraine. Despite rumors and broadcasters expressing their provisional interest to host next year in case Ukraine is unable to, today the Public broadcaster of Ukraine UA: PBC issued an official statement regarding the preparations for Eurovision 2023.

On June 14th the first meeting took place between Ukrainian broadcaster and government members along with EBU representatives. The statement says:

At this meeting the contest representatives and the EBU considered the presentation of guarantees and preparatory measures, in particular the security questionnaire, potential locations for the contest hosting prepared by the team of UA: PBC together with the government of Ukraine.

The Head of the Managing Board of UA: PBC Mykola Chernotytskyi continues:

All safety and security related measures have to be prepared and implemented in close cooperation with the national authorities. So we held consultations with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (National Police, State Emergency Service, National Guard)and the Ministry of Defense. Their experts together with security and risk assessment units of UA: PBC prepared common vision of the security situation and measures to be taken for the hosting of Eurovision next year. We thank the state authorities for their involvement and prompt preparation.

When it comes to safety concerns and the location of next years contest, the Ukrainian Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko added:

Yesterday we submitted a presentation of the questionnaire for the hosting of Eurovision in Ukraine to the European Broadcasting Union. Within a very short timeframe, the governmental team managed to provide thorough and comprehensive answers. Everybody worked in a very efficient and coordinated manner – from the public broadcaster and security authorities to the Prime Minister who assured with a letter that all the obligations that we have assumed will be fulfilled. We gave detailed answers regarding security questions and other organisation nuances, proposed several venues. I believe that we should have exhaustive, clear and honest answers to questions – that is what we did. We understand that in the current circumstances both we and the EBU face a challenge of organising Eurovision in Ukraine. But we have accepted this challenge and, I am sure, we will surprise everyone,

Ukraine was represented in Eurovision 2022 by Kalush Orchestra and the song Stefania, winning the contest with 631 points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs

Do you think Ukraine will host next year despite the situation? Tell us in the comments!

Spain: Withdraws its interest in hosting Eurovision 2023!

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Since May 15, after the victory of Kalush Orchestra, the question on everyone’s mind is: “Where will Eurovision 2023 be held?”.

Although the Ukrainian authorities, as well as the national broadcaster Suspilne, have made it clear that the winning country will host the contest, several countries have expressed their interest to be considered as back-ups. Among others, the UK, Italy and Sweden have expressed their willingness to host the contest. It seems, however, that one of the strongest candidates has stepped back off the scene.

On 13 June, the newspaper ‘Faro De Vigo’ published a wide-ranging interview with the president of RTVE, José Manuel Pérez Tornero. Among other statements (happiness about Spain’s result in Turin, plans for a Latin American song contest), President Pérez Tornero made it clear that Spain would not host Eurovision 2023.

“We don’t want to stay under the illusion of a good result, we will aim to win next time. We would host the contest ourselves, but in the end, if Ukraine withdraws, the BBC will organise it.”

It is, therefore, obvious that Spain is out of contention.

But has the EBU come to a conclusion? Perhaps, as the RTVE chairman seems pretty sure that all options have been left aside except Ukraine (which seems to be the EBU’s main choice) and the UK as the only remaining fallback option.

Whatever the case, however, it is certain that the name of the host country and city will not be revealed any time soon.

Source: escbubble

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest news regarding Eurovision 2023!

Office of the President of Ukraine: “Ukraine is already preparing for Eurovision 2023”!

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Cyril Tymoshenko, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine, in a post on Telegram that was also reposted on the official Facebook page of Suspilne for Eurovision, states that the preparations for Eurovision 2023 have already begun!

The main question for us and the EBU is security. To ensure the necessary logistics, and especially security, we look at different locations. Exactly which we can not announce yet.

The Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine from the very beginning are involved in the preparations for Eurovision-2023. Ukraine is already preparing for the Eurovision 2023 final.

Cyril Tymoshenko 

At the same time in Geneva the reference group of the contest is meeting with an unknown agenda, although as you understand the issue of the country that will host Eurovision 2023 is both burning and important.

Ukrainian officials in all their statements appear confident that their country will host Eurovision 2023, despite the armed conflict that continues to rage mainly in the east of the country. In fact, a few days ago they set up an organizing committee for this purpose.

Ukraine won the right to host the Eurovision Song Contest for the third time in its territory, after the victory of the Kalush Orchestra in Turin, with the song Stefania. We are waiting with interest for the decision of the EBU, whether the competition will finally be hosted next year in Ukraine or for security reasons, another country will be preferred.

Stay tuned for all the updates!

Israel: More information about the internal selection is out!

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The Israeli public broadcaster KAN announced a few days ago that the Eurovision 2023 representative will be chosen through an internal selection. In one of the morning radio shows of KAN, more information for the process are revealed.

From 2015 and with the exception of 2021, Israel used talent shows to select the representative. For 2023, a panel of 9 entertainment industry professionals will work on choosing the artist. Criteria include to be a well known artist with experience on live performances, that is successful in the local market. The hosts mention that there is already an interest from established Israeli artists to represent Israel. Names like Omer Adam and Static & Ben El Tavori are already on the table, among others.

Budget concerns was also a reason to chose the artist internally, due to high cost of production of the national selection shows. When it comes to the song, it will be chosen once the artist who will represent Israel is picked. The aim is to find the best song that ‘matches’ the artist.

Israel was represented in Eurovision 2022 by Michael Ben David who did not make it through to the final coming 13th in the second semi-final with 61 points.

What do you think about Israel going internal for 2023? Tell us in the comments!

Source: KAN

Italy: Sanremo 2023 regulation published!

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The regulation of the 73rd Italian Song Festival, the fourth branded Amadeus in the role of Artistic Director and Conductor, anticipates the times. The decision to publish it in June confirms that Amadeus is already at work in constant dialogue with the musical world.

“The goal is to have a longer preparation time available to transfer an exciting story of Italian music today from the Ariston stage to the homes of viewers, giving voice to new talents and already established artists, cast, also on the basis of the musical proposals that will arrive to me will be chosen, as always, giving weight to the value of the songs and their potential compared to the market, with particular attention to their ‘radio appeal’ “.

25 champions in competition

The 2023 kermesse of the Sanremo Festival will be broadcast from 7 to 11 February. Also in this edition 25 champions are confirmed in the competition, including the 3 finalists of Sanremo Giovani who will have to participate in the festival with a different song than the one proposed in December. The fourth evening will be dedicated to the Covers: on this occasion the artists will be able to draw from a repertoire ranging from 1 January 1960 to 31 December 1999, reinterpreting a song together with a guest identified by them and approved by the Artistic Direction. The most voted interpretation will receive a Special award.

The competing songs of the 25 Champions

The competing songs of the 25 Champions will be judged by the public at home through televoting (from landline and mobile telephones), by the Jury of the Press Room, TV, Radio and Web (150 representatives of the media accredited to the Festival) and by the Opinion Jury. (300 components). In the first and second evening, the jury of the press room, TV, radio and web will vote and will carry out its vote by dividing itself into three independent components: a third for TV and print media, a third for the radio and a third for the web jury. . In the third evening the vote will be entrusted for 50% to televoting and for the other 50% to the opinion poll jury. During the fourth evening the voting will be tripartite: 34% entrusted to televoting, 33% to the press room, TV, radio, web jury and 33% to the opinion poll jury, while in the fifth the 25 samples will be judged by televoting alone. it will add up to the previous rankings. At the end of the fifth evening to decide the winner of the 73rd Sanremo Festival among the 3 finalists, a new vote by televoting, press room jury, TV, radio, web and opinion poll jury.

The winner of the festival will have the right to represent Italy at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. If the winner refuses then RAI will choose another finalist, based on its own criteria!

Stay tuned for more Sanremo 2023 updates!

 

 

Foals-Yannis Filippakis: I received an email from someone related with Eurovision in Greece!

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As we previously wrote, preparations for Eurovision 2023 have already started. Among our -legendary- recommendations on who should represent Greece next year, is the UK based band Foals and their frontman, Yannis Filippakis.

In an interview for Life is Yours magazine which is out next Friday, among others he reveals that he received an email from someone in Greece related with Eurovision asking him if he is interested to represent Greece.

He managed to make a trip out to Karpathos, where his dad still lives, during the pandemic, and has started to delve deeper into his love of Greek folk music. His interest in visiting the country developed around the same time as his relationship with his dad – who makes Greek folk instruments himself – improved. “There’s some music there that I absolutely love, especially from the island my dad’s from, but I wonder how it’d land here,” he says. “Or do I do it for the Greeks?” I tell him he should do Eurovision, prompting him to recall a recent “weird email” from someone in Greece that was actually related to the annual song contest. He grins, seemingly envisioning himself among the sequins, glitter and general insanity of that world. “Can you imagine?”

While he doesn’t clearly responds on whether he is interest to represent Greece or not, we can’t help but spot similarities with how Amanda Georgiadi Tenfjord was approached last year, through an email by someone related with the contest in Greece. For someone with the career of Filippakis, it’s definitely not an easy decision to apply for Eurovision; In 2019 with their album Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost – part 2, Foals reached the No. 1 on the British charts, while their tour just before the start of the pandemic was sold out. In 2020, the Grammy Award-nominated duo CamelPhat  released Hypercolour with the participation of Yannis Filippakis as a solo artist. The Liverpool duo declared themselves Foals fans and “were always on their list to work together” in an interview with Forbes magazine. You can watch the video clip below.

 

Would you like to see the Foals representing Greece? Tell us in the comments!

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