Eurovision 2023 to Be Held in the UK on Behalf of 2022 Winner Ukraine
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The UK will be the host country for Eurovision Song Contest 2023, on behalf of the 2022 winner Ukraine. The winning country traditionally hosts the next year’s competition, but things are different in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The United Kingdom Will Host Eurovision 2023
Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest with their song “Stefania.” Following the win, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Instagram that the country would host next year’s contest.
However, the European Broadcasting Union has now announced that the UK will host next year’s event. The country came in second place this year with Sam Ryder’s “Space Man.” Deadline reports that, due to Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine, the BBC will host on behalf of this year’s winning broadcaster UA:PBC.
“Following the decision that, regrettably, next year’s event could not be held in Ukraine for safety and security reasons the EBU explored a number of options with the winning broadcaster,” the EBU said in a statement. “As a result of discussions, the BBC, as runner up in the 2022 Contest, was invited by the EBU to act as Host Broadcaster for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.”
The BBC has hosted the contest eight times in the past, more than any other broadcaster. Most recently, it hosted the event in Birmingham in 1998. The UK has also previously accepted hosting duties on behalf of other winning countries four times.
SEE ALSO: UKRAINE’S THE KALUSH ORCHESTRA WINS 66TH EDITION OF ‘EUROVISION SONG CONTEST’
The BBC Will Determine The Host City
The United Kingdom will begin a bidding process this week to determine which city will host Eurovision 2023. This bidding process is hosted by the BBC and the EBU. There has not been an official date announcement for next year’s event at this time.
The BBC’s Tim Davie said in a statement that it was “a matter of great regret” that Ukraine is not able to host next year’s contest. Davie adds, “The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British music and creativity.”
Meanwhile, Mykola Chernotytskyi of Ukraine’s UA:PBC said, “We are grateful to our BBC partners for showing solidarity with us. I am confident that together we will be able to add Ukrainian spirit to this event and once again unite the whole of Europe around our common values of peace, support, celebrating diversity and talent.”
Chernotytskyi added that UA:PBC “will work with the BBC to develop and implement the Ukrainian elements of next year’s shows.” According to Chernovetskyi, Ukraine will automatically be in next year’s grand final. For those who don’t know, this is tradition for the winning country.
