Officials from the EBU and NTU have poured over the bids from the Eurovision 2017 host city candidates, and they’ve now completed visits to the finalists — Dnipro, Kyiv and Odessa. And on August 1 they will finally reveal where we are all headed in May of next year.
Ahead of the announcement, NTU has shared a behind-the-scenes video from the recent “City Battle” program, which saw the six candidates — the three above plus Kharkiv, Kherson and Lviv — make their case to host.
In the video, which you can watch below, we hear from Victoria Romanova, Deputy Director General of NTU; Ihor Tarnopskyi, from the ESC 2017 Organizing Committee; and Yevhen Nyshchuk, the country’s Minister of Culture.
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“After today’s show, today’s presentations, the choice of the city has become more difficult, as each city managed to find its zest,” Victoria says.
That’s one reason why officials revealed three finalists — rather than the planned two — on July 22.
The Minister of Culture saw the presentations as a way to silence the critics.
He said: “Everybody has already left their doubts and fears that we cannot do anything, that Ukraine cannot do it or whatever. [All of the candidate cities] can. You could see how the cities were confident in all aspects. It will push any city to develop.”
“City Battle” — Behind-the-scenes (English subtitles)
Choosing the Eurovision 2017 host city
NTU kicked off its search for the Eurovision 2017 host city earlier this summer, with six candidates — Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Kherson — submitting bids. On July 20 each city presented their proposals on “City Battle” — a chance for them to win over organisers and the public ahead of today’s reveal. You can see how they sold themselves here.
Kyiv
Kyiv has proposed renovating the Palace of Sports, which hosted Eurovision 2005 and Junior Eurovision 2009, with the capacity reaching 10,000 spectators. It’s located near four Metro stations and several large hotels, and EuroClub, the press centre and Eurovision Village, will all be within walking distance.
Asked about the European Hockey Championships, which will take place at the arena in late April — too near to Eurovision to make the venue practical — Mr. Reznikov said that Kyiv’s priority is Eurovision.
The Exhibition Centre is another possible venue, owing to its huge capacity of 50,000. In recent days, there has been much talk about the Olympic Stadium and its chances of hosting Eurovision. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to put a roof on this massive building, which seats 70,000, so it was not included on Kyiv’s list.
Dnipro
Dnipro, known as Dnipropetrovsk until May 2016, rests on the banks of the Dnieper River and is known primarily for its industrial sector. In the 1940s the Soviets built a military machine-building factory in the city. In the 1980s one plant manufactured 67 kinds of space ships and a variety of space rocket systems (which could have come in handy for Lidia Isac’s Eurovision 2016 performance).
Odessa
Odessa is situated on the banks of Black Sea, near Moldova. It’s so close we think you might just be able to feel the vibrations of Epic Sax Guy thrusting across the border. Ukraine’s third-largest city is an architectural gem that at times seems more Mediterranean than post-Soviet, as it serves Italian, French and Bohemian-style realness. The only suitable venue in “Odessa mama”, as the locals call their city, is the Chernomorets Stadium, a football arena that has a capacity of 34,000. And guess what: It doesn’t have a roof! But officials have said plans are underway to get one.
I hope for Odessa, but I know it will be Kyiv
Odessa better win the city battle. I’m pretty sure they’ll be able to fix up that stadium in time for Eurovision. Besides, Odessa could really use the exposure they’ll be getting from Eurovision and this should be able to keep Moldova in the contest the same way Czech Republic came back to Eurovision after Austria won (because Austria is close to the said country).
*?????? was Odessa in Cyrillic script
Gimme an O!
Gimme a D!
Gimme an E!
Gimme an S!
Gimme an S… again!
Gimme an A!
O… DESSA!
?????? 2017
One word: Kiev! 🙂
Let’s go for ODESSA !! 😀
Kiyv and Dnipro …. NO !
I’m ready to get disappointed (It’s gonna be Kyiv, isn’t it?)
Guys, odessa’s hosting bid is in a stadium… -_-
Am i the only one who thinks Dnipro would be one of the best choices! And Kiev to! I mean both of them Will have new, renovated arenas! And odessa…NO WAY EUROVISION WILL BE HELD IN A TENT!
I believe it will be Kyiv, but I wouldn’t mind Odessa too just as long as its not Dnipro, that would be the worst possible choice.
I want it to be in Kyiv, but they should use the larger exhibition arena rather than the Palace of Sports. If the Exhibition Centre can’t be used, then Odesa/Odessa.
If it’s Odessa, I think the contest will be more attractive for Moldova next year, otherwise I think there’s a possibility they may withdraw.
Only Kyiv because in Dnipro isn`t safe. I feel Dnipro would be chosen because it`s political solution.
Nothing new revealed here. As I got there still planned tent over stadiums. Well, I guess then Kyiv will easily take the host crown. This stadium adventure oozed fail expectations so far which I find dissapointing a bit.
Please don’t be Dnipro *fingers crossed*
if odessa wants to have a tent as a arena im out of there. so if it’s true, i’m syaing: kiev all the way!!!
if odessa wants to have a tent as a arena im out of there. so if it’s true, i’m syaing: kiev all the way!
Why does everyone want Odesa? Do you really want Eurovision inside a camping tent?
Odessa surprised me the most and I was first rooting for Lviv. Since they’re out, Odessa is my favorite. Best video, great venue. I think they have a lot to offer!
PLEAS let it be oddesa! But it will probably be Kiev:(
There is nothing wrong with Kiev but still:(