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Eurovision 2020: NPO to visit the two candidate cities

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Just yesterday, following a thorough examination of the candidates’ bids for the organization of the next Eurovision contest, as we had mentioned in our previous article, the responsible  committee of the Dutch broadcaster NPO announced officially that only two cities of five candidates meet the EBU’s criteria for hosting the next Eurovision: Maastricht and Rotterdam.
As expected, and without losing time, NPO executives have begun today the  visits to the two cities to see and discuss in detail everything that each city has in its  bid as well as to look closely at the structures that will host the music contest.
Their first stop is Maastricht, where they will mainly inspect the Maastricht MESC, with a capacity of 20,000 spectators proposed by the city to host the contest, as well as the other necessary structures such as accommodation and easy transfer of delegation  and fans. Significant weight is also given to the other venues and location  of the side events such as Euroclub, Eurovision Village, Opening Ceremony, Red Carpet, Press Center, Delegation Bubble etc.
Tomorrow,  NPO travels to Rotterdam, heading mainly to Rotterdam Ahoy, the venue proposed for the contest, and the other locations proposed for all the side events.
In both cases, NPO  will also have meetings with officials from the two cities involved in organizing the event to gain a fuller picture of the potential of cities based on the files they have submitted and to inform EBU afterwards.

It is worth mentioning that Rotterdam strongly wants to host  the event, which is apparent from the intention of the Southern Holland province to boost the city with an extra 1 million euros if it takes over the organization. At the same time,Rotterdam claims  as its strong point a very good network as well as its excellent connection with most European cities through two airports (Schiphol International Airport and Rotterdam-The Hague Airport), a point that is lagging behind Maastricht.
Whatever the case, the on-the-spot review is in progress and we expect any information from these inspects.

Eurovision 2020: Rotterdam and Maastricht to be the official finalists for ESC 2020 hosting

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EBU,through its official website for the contest, announced a while ago what the Dutch media, but also what we had written a few days ago.  Rotterdam and Maastricht are the two remaining cities to claim Eurovision 2020 hosting.

This two cities had the most completed nomination bid and thus continue the fight for claiming Eurovision 2020. Next month, a team of the Dutch public broadcaster as well as EBU experts will visit the two cities in order to see and get up-to-date  , everything suggested by Maastricht and Rotterdam to organize the next contest.

« All cities and venues have made a great effort in their candidacies.  They impressed us with all their suggestions and I would like to thank all those involved so far for their positive contribution and commitment.  We are convinced that Maastricht and Rotterdam offer everything that a host city requires.  We hope the other cities will keep their enthusiasm for the song contest.  We would like to discuss the coming months how we can engage them in next year’s Eurovision. »

(Sietse Beker, executive producer of Eurovision 2020).

The cities that were considered inappropriate and had submitted a candidacy bid were Arnhem, Den Bos and Utrecht.

The final decision on the city that will host Eurovision 2020 will be announced at the end of August.

Kosovo reacts to the negative outcome of the EBU general assembly

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Kosovo’s public broadcaster failed to become a full member of the EBU, as the union’s general assembly did not approve the required changes to the statute. The “country’s” public broadcaster, as expected through its CEO, Ngadhnjim Kastrati, has reacted to this negative development, which will not allow Kosovo to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest but also in other EBU’s events. Read more

Changes in the EBU statutes have not been aprooved – Kosovo can’t apply for full membership of EBU

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The vote at the EBU General Assembly, held in Oslo, was just completed. Changes in the statute that would help Kosovo joining the union have not been accepted, and so they will have to wait more time to make their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest. Read more

The proposed changes to the EBU’s statute having as aim Kosovo’s entry to the union

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According to confirmed information on the upcoming EBU General Assembly, which is held tomorrow in Oslo, the proposed changes to the association’s statutes are “photographic” and are aimed at helping Kosovo’s entry into the EBU. Read more

Eurovision 2019: Tender for the postcards has opened

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In a recent post of Israel Hayom, it is said that tender process for the postcards of Eurovision 2019 in Tel Aviv has opened, while the deadline is on October 28th.

The winner, according to the newspaper, will have to research for each performing artist, select the appropriate locations and will be responsible about the makeup, outfits and hair.

In addition, the tender requires that senior staff, such as the director, the creative manager and the photographer will have experience with at least ten similar productions, and the producer must have produced at least 3 productions in the last three years, all with a minimum budget of about €1,200,000 (5,000,000 ILS).

If the pilots send to KAN and EBU get approved, shootings will take place between January and March, with the overall budget reaching up to €750,000 (3,000,000 ILS). The newspaper also states that KAN, besides the usual postcards, plans to create a 5-minute clip with all the artists.

What are the postcards?

Postcards are the short-length videos shown before each performance, which give the opportunity for technicians to prepare the stage, plus, to the commentators to provide information about the act that follows.

They usually show landmarks of the hosting countries or/and the representatives themselves visiting these landmarks. The increased interest shown by the fans for the postcards, has led the hosts to try, in any imaginative way, present them.

Also, the official account of the contest on Youtube publish each postcard for those who want to re-watch them, while many fans are ranking them from their least to most favourite postcards.

Source: Israel Hayom, eurovision.tv

EBU’s announcement to Bulgaria’s withdrawal

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Earlier this day, the official statement of Bulgaria withdrawing from the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv shook eurofans across the world.

Even though the country confirmed its participation quite early and publicly informed about their next steps, the operator of Eurovision Project on behalf of Bulgaria’s National Television (BNT) Deyan Yordanov quit, leaving us wondering whether the country will withdraw from the contest or keep participating under a new team.

EBU’sannouncement

Earlier this morning it was officially confirmed that Bulgaria is not participating in 2019, while EBU released its official statement few moments ago.

We regret that Bulgarian National Television (BNT) has taken the decision not to enter the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv. BNT has been an enthusiastic participant and enjoyed great success in the contest in recent years. We look forward to welcoming them back in the future.

Petition supporting Bulgaria

Since the official statements were brought to light, more than 2,500 people have signed an online petition supporting the country and hoping it will stay in the contest, using the hashtag #TheyWillNeverBreakUsDown.

Bulgaria in the Eurovision

Bulgaria took part for the very first time back in 2005, even though they had to wait for 2 years to qualify in the Grand Final, finishing 5th – country’s best result prior to 2016. After failing to qualify for 5 consecutive years, Bulgaria decided to withdraw from the contest in 2014, just to come back 2 years later stronger than ever.

Returning to the contest seemed to be a success for the country, since the country qualifies every year and being amongst the hot favourites to win the contest every year. The most successful entry up to date was last year, finishing 2nd at the Grand Final and almost wining the contest. Without any doubt, Bulgaria became a new powerhouse to the contest, thus making eurofans anxiously waiting for their next entry every year.

What was your reaction to Bulgaria’s withdraw? What is your favourite Bulgarian entry?

Source: Eurovision.tv