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5 Dutch cities trying to become Eurovision 2020 host city!

The “Host City” contest has officially stared! 5 Dutch cities have submitted their bid book to Dutch national broadcast in order to host Eurovision 2020. The 10th of July was the deadline and despite the fact that 9 cities had expressed their desire to host the contest, finally only 5 of them officially submitted for their nomination. These are Rotterdam, Maastricht, Arnhem, Utrecht and Den Bosh. We can already say that Rotterdam and Maastricht are the favorites to earn the title of the “Host City”, but let’s see precisely what each city had to present!

 

 Rotterdam

Wethouder Kasmi, the Deputy Mayor of the city brought a suitcase, obviously referring to tourism, while the whole delegation showed its enthusiasm by wearing tourist scarfs! According to Dutch media, Rotterdam has a full-package nomination. Today it was also released the promo video and the slogan of the city: “Rotterdam for real. Rotterdam make it happen!”

The venue that city proposes is the “Ahoy Rotterdam”, which has a capacity of 16.500 people. This city has to offer not only a big budget for the show, but also a good number of hotels to host whoever comes for the Contest! It seems like a good combination for a host city!

 

Councilor of culture Said Kasmi presented the bid book: “The Eurovision Song Contest is about being yourself, diversity, inclusivity and those are words which describe our city as well with our inhabitants of 175 different nationalities. The Eurovision Song Contest also stands for talent, development and giving that talent a stage. We do the same in Rotterdam. We want to give the viewers an unforgettable memory.”

Maastricht

The Mayor of the city, Annemarie Penn-te Strake, presented the bid book accompanied by a Limburgian band showing their great desire to bring the Contest to the north of this country. Maastricht proposes as venue the “MESC Maastricht” with a capacity of 20.000 people and their slogan is: “Come closer”. Furthermore it is planned more cultural events to be held at the same time in the 44 neighborhoods of the city during the Eurovision. It’s about a very important city due to its significance and its history, not to mention the rumors of Maastricht being EBU’s favorite!

Arnhem

Mayor Ahmed Marcouch presented the bid book, which was wrapped in the same fabric as Duncan Laurence’s clothes which he wore during the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. The big delegation arrived in a bus advertising city’s nomination. Arnhem has to offer concerts in various roofs and the Vitesse’s stadium “GelreDome”, contemporary stadium which is about to host many games for the “Euro 2020”. The football team claimed that is willing to give the stadium in order Eurovision to be held.

https://twitter.com/luudsz/status/1148883340759621634

Utrecht

This city may not have many possibilities to host the contest, but they surely found the most impressive way to show their bid book: by a bicycle-courrier! The proposed venue is “Jaarbeurs”, whose capacity is only 11.000 people.

“Utrecht wanted to be playful and different, two words which describe Utrecht perfectly. But also because it is healthy, quirky and sustainable. It suits the city,” said Karen Poot who cycled over 20 kilometers from Utrecht to Hilversum.

 

 

Den Bosh

The delegation of this city presented their bid book while offering some traditional treats. The expo centre “Brabanthallen” (capacity 11.000 people) is proposed to host the event, but since city’s budget is only 3 million euros, the lowest of all, it seems like Den Bosh has the least chances for winning over all!

Ms. Shula Rijxman (CEO NPO) says:

“It is fantastic to see the enthusiasm and attention these five cities have put on their bid books. A huge job that shows how the Netherlands is embracing the Eurovision Song Contest. This is fantastic because we hope that the whole of the Netherlands will experience the Eurovision Song Contest. Regardless of which city will be ultimately chosen: I thank all the cities for the work they have done and I look forward to all the wonderful proposals that are already here for this wonderful event.”

 

What’s next?

The Eurovision 2020 Core Team, composed by members of the EBU and the Dutch national broadcaster, will evaluate the bid books each city has submitted. During August, this team will visit the five cities in order to see closely what they have to offer. In the end of August is expected to be announced the host city of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.

 

Which city is your favorite?

Eurovision 2020: “Come closer” the Maastricht slogan for the event. Watch the promo trailer

After the Dutch publication, which wants Maastricht to be the city that the EBU prefers to host Eurovision 2020, the European Union’s city -symbol now shows that it has the most dynamic and full-fledged candidacy than the remaining ones.The city presented,in social networks,the slogan, as well as the promotional video of its candidacy.

“Come closer” the proposed slogan of Maastricht
With a barrage of post on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, Maastricht is the first city to unveil part of the dossier, which will be deposited by Wednesday, July 10, on the country’s public television.

In the pictures and videos released by the Municipality of Maastricht, it is clear, of course, not only the city’s attractions, but also teenagers  wearing t-shirts with the distinctive “Come closer” slogan.

The Mayor of Maastricht, Annemarie Penn-te Strake, who has already come out strongly in favor of her city’s candidacy, in her statements characterizes the city as the ideal venue for the next Eurovision Song Contest.

“An internationally recognized city at the crossroads of Europe. A city that has everything and is still forgotten, full of character and atmosphere. The capital of an area that embraces all its visitors, where you can go as you are!”

Watch the promo video of Maastricht’s candidacy below:

Maastricht proposes MECC Maastricht to host the Eurovision 2020 with a capacity of 20,000 spectators. The  Maastricht’s candidacy is also supported by the region of Limburg.

Why is Maastricht the symbol of Europe?
Maastricht is a municipality and capital of the province of Limburg. The city is located on both sides of the river Meuse in the southeastern part of the Netherlands between Belgium and Germany.

In the Middle Ages, the city was the pinnacle of the dispute between the Netherlands and France, which, because of its highly strategic position, had been coveted by both. SO, it was changing possession throughout the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th centuries.

After the Napoleonic era, Maastricht became part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1815. When the southern provinces claimed independence from the north to form Belgium in 1830, the Maastricht guard remained loyal to the Dutch king, and in 1839 the city and eastern part of Limburg, although geographically closer to Belgium, were permanently added to the Netherlands.

Because of its subsequent eccentric position, Maastricht often focused more on Belgium and Germany than on the rest of the Netherlands, which contributed to the distinct non-Dutch character of the city.

On September 14, 1944, Maastricht was the first Dutch city to be liberated by Allied forces during the Second World War where the 9th US Army Headquarters was stationed for some time.

On 7 February 1992, the Treaty of Maastricht, which led to the creation of the European Union,was signed here, and which Toto Cutugno sang for in 1990 at Eurovision,winning first place for Italy with “Insieme”.

Rotterdam, considered by many to be the favorite of Eurovision 2020, is worried about Maastricht’s increasingly dynamic bid, and has made its counterattack. As it is written today in the domestic media, the event, if will be held in Rotterdam, will be boosted by 15 million Euros more from the municipality’s funds.

In addition, according to what is reffered in the Rotterdam candidacy bid, 3,000 rooms in hotels in the city have already been reserved so that they can be assigned to the delegations and accredited journalists who will come to Rotterdam for the contest.

The venue proposed by Rotterdam for Eurovision 2020 is Rotterdam Ahoy, with a capacity of 16,500 seats.

The five remaining cities claiming Eurovision 2020 are:

1.Arnhem
2.Maastricht-Limburg
3.Den Bos
4.Utrecht
5.Rotterdam

Dutch public broadcaster and EBU will announce the city that will host Eurovision 2020 in August.

source: BD.nl