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Andorra: Susanne Georgi comments on a possible return of the country to the Eurovision song contest!

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Susanne Georgi was the last representative of Andorra in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “La teva decisió”, but she did not make it to the Grand Final.

The “ESC Bubble” press team had the opportunity to meet Susanne at her studio, Stars Academy, in Andorra la Vella. She talked about both her participation and the possibility of the country’s return to the competition.

Susanne is an active activist in the fight to bring one of Europe’s smallest nations back to the world’s biggest music show, which has over 160 million viewers worldwide.

Andorra’s Eurovision history is relatively short and unfortunately disappointing. The Principality has only participated in the contest six times (from 2004 to 2009) and has never made it to the Grand Final. Financial constraints were cited as the main reason when Andorra’s broadcaster, Ràdio i Televisió d’Andorra (RTVA) announced its withdrawal from Eurovision in 2009. Susanne admitted that this was a very difficult decision.

“I remember in the very beginning, it was very frustrating because [RTVA] said we don’t have the money. And I mean that you can understand […] and COVID came and it was even worse, and we don’t have the money. So okay? You want money, I’ll find the money. So I went out and I found the money to fund the whole project. And they were like yeah, but it wouldn’t look good if we took this from the private sector… You said you wanted the money, I got the money. What is the problem?! […] So it’s this endless, you know, this fight. […] But I definitely would like to make sure that we do the right things, because we need so much more money and promotion than a Germany or a Spain, we need to do double the work because people don’t know Andorra. So it’s going to be hard work.”

However, there is also good news as the recent elections in the country kept the same government in place, which means that she already knows the officials who can make decisions to lead Andorra back to Eurovision.

In addition, there was also a change at RTVA, which brought Susanne great joy.

“[RTVA] changed the TV director […] because the former TV director did not want Eurovision under any circumstances. And I have had meetings where I was pulling my hair out!”

By finding the funding to bring Andorra back into the contest family, Susanne discovered other reasons to justify the country’s return to the Eurovision stage.

“I think sometimes people, if they’re not in this world, they don’t actually see how much potential it has for the tourists for the country. […] But I know that [the government] wants it. I know, there’s a lot of people that want this to happen within the government now, and with the change of the TV director, I really do have hope. And I think we’re closer than ever!”

Despite the obstacles she faced along the way, Susanne did not give up her campaign easily. A TV crew is following her, intending to record a documentary about her work on Eurovision. She has also contacted many singers and songwriters in Andorra, going so far as to believe that Andorra could return to Eurovision “tomorrow” if required.

When asked if she would return to the Eurovision stage on behalf of Andorra, Susanne expressed the following thought:

“I would never say no if someone asked me, ‘Do you want to come back?’ […] I’m not saying I 100% believe I’ll be back on that stage at some point. But at this point when it comes to Andorra, I would love to be able to try to run this project so we can succeed 100%. […] And that’s very important for me. I don’t feel alone. On the contrary, I feel like I have so many little soldiers behind me, you know, even outside Andorra, like the fact that you came up here to talk to me – that means everything to me!”

Below you can see Andorra’s last participation in 2009 in Moscow, with Susanne Georgi performing the song “La teva decisió”:

Source: escbubble.com

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Sweden: Gothenburg kicks off the application preparation for the hosting of Eurovision 2024!

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On Monday 12 June, the application period ends for the Swedish cities that want to organize the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.

Earlier this week, the city of Stockholm submitted its expression of interest to organize next year’s competition, which will be held somewhere in Sweden after Loreen’s Eurovision victory in Liverpool almost a month ago.

The Municipality of Stockholm has, however, provided its application with a couple of clear reservations. The arrangement must, for example, be economically and climate-wise sustainable.

“In times when there is not enough money for school and care, it is fundamentally
unreasonable to think that the city of Stockholm alone can contribute to the same
financial extent to Eurovision as in 2016,” says finance councilor Karin Wanngård in a
comment.

The city of Stockholm therefore demands that the costs of the Eurovision Song Contest – the world’s largest television program alongside the Summer Olympics and the football World Cup – be financed in cooperation between SVT, the government, surrounding municipalities, the region and a number of private sponsors.

“Eurovision cannot and should not always be about making the biggest event.
However, Eurovision can and should be the best party. And it is welcome, given the right conditions, to be in Stockholm”, states the Financial Citizens Council in its press release.

A specially appointed group works for Eurovision

Thus the gauntlet is thrown. The question is how Gothenburg chooses to respond and whether it is prepared to take on the challenge from the capital?

Magnus Hallberg, the vice president and event manager at Gothenburg & Co.commented:

“The short answer is yes. We are more than ready.”

But that’s not quite right. A specially appointed team consisting of people from the municipality’s arena company Got Event, Svenska Mässan and the city’s official destination company Göteborg & Co is currently sitting under Magnus Hallberg’s leadership amplifying their arguments and boosting their application, which will not be submitted to SVT until the very last moment .

“We are glad that SVT has not set a time for Monday. We will work on our application until the very end.”

– SVT receives Gothenburg’s application on their email on Monday at 23.59?

(laughter) “Yes, no later than this.”

Gothenburg can host Eurovision

Eurovision hasn’t been held in Gothenburg since Lill Lindfors dropped her dress in Scandinavium in 1985. And there are a number of question marks to clear up: Can the city afford it?

Does our 50-year-old arena meet the requirements of the EBU? What stresses does the organisation entail for the city? In short, is Gothenburg ready for the Eurovision Song Contest?
Magnus Hallberg has already answered a short “yes” to that question, and has no problem developing his way of thinking.

“We have taken into account every aspect, from arena capacity and sustainability solutions to creating an attractive party venue for the audience, what the EBU usually calls the Eurovillage. There are many parts that have to fall into place, but we can handle that in Gothenburg.”
“Even for the most technically critical point, Scandinavium’s old roof that has difficulty supporting modern lighting rigs, there now seems to be a solution.”

“Got Event claims to be ready for the TV production that the EBU wants to do, perhaps with a few minor adjustments, so we have good conditions to host Eurovision in terms of TV technology.”

Jonas Attenius: “Great time with Eurovision”

The solution that remains to be found is purely financial. The cost is estimated at 100 to 200 million Swedish kroner, an amount that does not please the chairman of the municipal council Jonas Attenius.

“I think Eurovision is fun and I understand that hosting the competition would mean a lot to the city, but the municipality of Gothenburg will not pay 100 or maybe 200 million kroner. It is completely out of question when we are striving to save our nurses and keep the teachers in our schools.”

However, the situation can change if Göteborg & Co finds private financiers and sponsors who are prepared to contribute money. Something that Jonas Attenius more or less sees as a prerequisite in order Eurovision to be held in Gothenburg.

Source: Göteborgs-Posten

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Bosnia & Herzegovina: They won’t return in Eurovision 2024!

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Bosnia and Herzegovina is not returning to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024 either!

For another year, this Balkan country will not take part in the European competition, continuing the streak of abstention from 2017. Today, the head of the international affairs department of BHRT, Leijla A. Babović, stated that the country would most likely not return to the contest in 2024 as the broadcaster remains under sanctions by the EBU due to unpaid debts.

The country’s last participation was in Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm. The country was represented by Dalal, Deen, Ana Rucner and Jala with the song “Ljubav je”, but the country failed to qualify for the grand final for the first time as it finished 11th in the first semi-final.

Luxembourg: Selection process to be revealed in July!

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It may not have been a month since the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 and already next year’s contest has the big news of the return of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg after an absence of 30 years.

According to EUROVISION NEWS post on Instagram, the national broadcaster RTL will reveal the selection process of the Luxembourgish entry for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in July!

 

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The last participation of Luxembourg was in 1993 in Millstreet of Ireland when the small nation was represented by the group Modern Times and the song “Donne-moi une chance”sung in French and Luxembourgish. At the end of the show the country finished 20th with only 11 points.

Which selection do you think that will be followed? Let us know in the comments below.

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Slovakia: Absent from Eurovision 2024!

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Slovakia will not take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2o24!

The head of the Department of International Relations of the national broadcaster, RTVS, Slavomira Kubickova confirmed that Slovakia will continue its absence not only from the “adult” Eurovision but also from the Junior Eurovision.

“RTVS is not considering the participation at the Eurovision or junior Eurovision in the coming future.”

Despite the renewal of the General Director of RTVS, Slovakia will remain outside the European competition.

The former General Director of RTVS was known for being against the participation of Slovakia in the Eurovision Song Contest, considering the Contest as the worst thing that has ever happened to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

In summer 2022, Mr. Ľuboš Macha was appointed as the new General Director of RTVS, however he will (at least for now)  continue the path of his predecessor, so Slovakia’s absence from the competition goes on.

RTVS claims financial reasons for their absence.

RTVS admitted that the reasons for not participating in the Eurovision Song Contest are mainly financial.

The organization acknowledges that it is impossible to cover the costs of the competition, as the participation of the country is associated with high financial costs for which RTVS currently has no resources.

The RTVS station has been mired in a financial crisis for years. However, the Slovak government intends to amend the funding of the public broadcaster in order to increase the funding of the public broadcaster by 46 million euros by 2024. If these changes are approved, RTVS will have a budget of around 160 million for the next year.

The country’s last participation was in 2012 where the central European country was represented by Max Jason Mai with the song “Don’t Close Your Eyes” taking the 18th and last place in the Second Semi-Final with 22 points.

Source: Eurofestivales

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Iceland: Participation at Eurovision 2024 confirmed!

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Iceland is going to be present at Eurovision 2024 in Sweden.

The national broadcaster of Iceland, RÚV, confirmed the participation of the nordic island nation in the next Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Sweden, as the submission process for the Söngvakeppnin 2024 commences on the 15th of  June. This is the first time that the songs submission window opens so early.

The confirmation of participation came alongside with the reveal of the viewing figures of the Contest. An average 60% of the viewers watched the Grand Final with a peak of 73%.

The Manager of Söngvakeppnin, Rúnar Freyr Gíslason, commented:

“We are incredibly happy and proud of Diljá and the Icelandic scene. She is a young singer who is taking her first steps in the business and it is quite clear that she has a future ahead of her,”

“Our preliminary competition here at home, the Söngvakeppnin , has grown and prospered every year and Eurovision is getting bigger and bigger. Music streaming has increased tremendously and serious authors and singers all over Europe are starting to look at participating in the competition as a preferred option to let the world hear their music,”

Diljá represented Iceland in 2023 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Power” and finished 11th in the Second Semi-Final with 44 points, and thus did not advanced to the Grand Final.

Source: Eurovoix

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Eleni Foureira: “It would be a pleasure for me to go to Eurovision for Greece”!

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After her first concert since the birth of her son, on Saturday night 27th of May at the Katrakeio Theatre of Athens, Eleni Foureira commented the 4 points of the Greek jury to Cyprus and Andrew Lambrou as well as the possibility of returning in the Eurovision Song Contest.

 

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I felt sad for the 4 points to Cyprus

Eleni Foureira stated that she felt sad for the 4 points of the Greek jury to Cyprus, as she believed that Andrew Lambrou deserved the 12 points.

I felt sad. It’s a personal business how someone votes. Cyprus deserved the 12 points this year. He was perfect and the song was excellent.

In a question regarding the Greek participation and Victor Vernicos she avoided any answer.

I would do it for Greece

The reporters could not help but ask her about the possibility of a Eurovision return. Eleni Foureira asked that she would be thinking about it, and if she was receiving a proposal for Greece she would do it.

Yeah it would be a pleasure to do it for Greece, it’s my country and I love it. If I have the proposal, I will think about it.

At this point we remind you that a few days ago if was confirmed by the organisers of Het Grote Songfestivalfeest in Amsterdam that Eleni Foureira is going to perform on 16th of November.

Would you like to see Eleni Foureira returning to the Eurovision Song Contest for Greece? Let us known your thought in the comments below.

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India: Is Eurovision India in the making?

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The entertaining company of Voxovation, who owns the rights of the global broadcasting of the Eurovision Song Contest, is pushing for the creation of the Eurovision India concept!

India is a big federal country consisting of 28 states and 8 union territories and each of these states/territories has its discrete culture. This datum enhances the possibility of a Eurovision-style song contest in India, in which all the states and the territories will compete for the best song.

Voxovation on this topic commented:

“India is like a continent all by itself”.

” (Eurovision India) Will bring more diversity, genres of music, passion and spectacle than a competition between countries in most regions of the world.”

This concept would also allow smaller cultures of India to be exposed on larger audiences. India’s massive music industry is one of the most well-known and internationally popular industries, which progressively evolves and becomes even bigger. There isn’t a stone un-turned in the Indian music scene, with genres expanding from classical folk and traditional serenading ballads to new folk-infused pop and hip-hop styles. The opportunity for new audiences to discover new styles of music is pretty huge.

Voxovation also added that:

“Eurovision India will become one of the cornerstones of that music scene. In the Eurovision Universe it is hard to imagine something more exciting than the passion and drama of the Eurovision Song Contest expressed in the imaginative and excessively flamboyant way that only India and Bollywood presents its entertainment.”

Source: Eurovoix

Could we see the concept of Eurovision India in the coming future? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.

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Faroe Islands: KVF is set to apply for EBU membership!

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The national broadcaster of the Faroe Islands Kringvarp Føroya (KVF), is going to apply for full membership in the European Broadcasting Union before the coming summer.

As far as the application for full EBU membership, the CEO of KVF commented that:

“Our ultimate aim with this application is independent Faroese participation in the Eurovision Song Contest

EBU membership is the first step. If we succeed with that, our next aim is Eurovision. This contest is currently for independent states only, but perhaps we can obtain some sort of associate membership first, and then we can work from there. By next spring, I expect we will have a much clearer idea of our chances.”

The Faroe Islands is an autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of Denmark. The Faroe Islands are self-governed in almost all areas and is per definition eligible to become an EBU member.

The national broadcaster pushes for full EBU membership and the desire for a participation in the Eurovision Song Contest derives from the fact that this year the representative of Denmark, Reiley, comes from the Faroe Islands. Reiley represented Denmark with the song “Breaking My Heart” but did not manage to qualify as he finished 14th in the Second Semi-Final with only 6 points.

Source: Eurovoix

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Sweden: The city of Stockholm in early talks, eager to host Eurovision 2024!

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Today, at Kungsträdgården, a celebration to welcome Loreen back to Sweden was held, with thousands of people enthusiastically cheering while Loreen was performing “Tattoo” on the stage that was setup for the Hemkosten event!

According to Gustav Dahlander, Swedish journalist and SVT in-house expert for Melodifestivalen, during the event, Karin Wanngård, the Financial City Commissioner of Stockholm, stated when interviewed:

“Eurovision needs a big arena. To get a good party, you want a big audience, so of course, in that case it would primarily be Friends Arena.”

Friends Arena has a total capacity of approximately 60.000 people, but whenever it hosts Melodifestivalen Final Show, it gets halved, but can still host the impressive number of 30.000 people all seated. If Martin Österdahl selects Stockholm as the host city and Friends Arena as the hosting venue, then it can be one of the largest venues ever to host the contest!

Today was not the first time Stockholm expressed interest in hosting next year’s contest

According to major Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, the City Hall of Stockholm had been in early talks with the financial center, the chamber of commerce and the Visit Stockholm insitution since the last weeks of March, following the victory of Loreen at the Swedish national selection process, Melodifestivalen!

The City of Stockholm, started planning internally way to early in advance, compared to when Måns Zemerlöw won, when Stockholm held their first meeting on the Monday directly after the victory. It seems like this time they wanted to be even more prepared.

According to the independent business organization, Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, the last time Sweden took home the Eurovision Song Contest and hosted the show in 2016, the created tourism economic effects were around SEK 263 million (approximately 230 million Euros), in the money value of the time. After a projection of the income at today’s prices, the same number of visitors would yield revenues of more than SEK 310 million (approximately 275 million Euros). Admittedly, it costs a lot to organize the competition, but hosting the contest can still bring significant profits to the city.

Loreen wants Stockholm to host the contest in 2024!

During the Winner’s Press Conference at M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, UK, after our own Andreas Papayiannakis asked Loreen how she feels about equalling the victories of Ireland in the contest, Loreen unapologetically stated, referring to Swedish Head of Delegation Lotta Furebäck, that she prefers Stockholm to host next year’s contest!

“It better be Stockholm man! We need to talk about this, but it better be Stockholm!”

You can watch the relevant video below:

Despite the fact that major football teams AIK and Hammarby Fotboll, that play during the season at Friends Arena and Tele2 Arena respectively, are refusing to move temporarily to other stadiums for six weeks, Stockholm City is so eager to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, that it is very likely for all issues to be resolved soon. The football association is perfecly OK with moving games due to European Cup participation, so maybe they could just move one or two AIK home games a month or two. As for Tele2, Hammarby Fotboll and Djurgården can play at home for two days in a row, so Stockholm City hosting Eurovision 2024 seems doable.

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Sources: Aftonbladet, Gustav Dahlander, Stockholm Chamber of Commerce