Back in January, production designer Florian Wieder revealed the design for the Eurovision 2017 stage.

And on Monday Dutch company Unbranded confirmed that they have been selected to take Wieder’s designs and actually bring them to life. 

Based in Hilversum, the media capital of the Netherlands, the firm will build the Eurovision stage for the second time, having previously built the stage in Vienna for Eurovision 2015.

That stage was also designed by Florian and required an immense amount of aluminium pipes, which weighted a total of 40,000 kilos.

Unbranded previously built several MTV EMA stages, including the one used in Rotterdam in 2016, and the stage of De Wereld Draait Door, one the Netherlands’ most watched talk shows. So far, so good!

Unbranded will send 15 to 20 people to Kyiv to build the stage, and they’ll do so in two different shifts.

The first shift will go this week and will return in three weeks. The second shift of workers will then take over and remain in and around the venue until Eurovision. They expect to dismantle the stage by May 17. So that means six weeks to build it and four days to break it down.

Twenty trucks of material will drive towards Ukraine in the coming weeks. The number of trucks is smaller than in 2015, when 80 trucks drove to Vienna. In an interview with De Gooi- en Eemlander, the director of the company, Gaston van de Poel, said that this is a result of the stage being less complicated this time, owing to delays in the organisation.

The company noted that the transport of the materials will need more effort than two years ago, since the trucks have to drive outside of the European Union, which might result in issues at customs and border control.

This news corresponds with Reference Group chairman Frank-Dieter Freiling’s recent comments to the German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel about the Ukrainian Eurovision stage:

“The Eurovision Song Contest is not only made of the equipment from the host broadcaster. In the past few years, stage and technical equipment that was desired was bought internationally. In Kyiv it will not be different from Vienna, Copenhagen or Stockholm.”

What do you think about Unbranded? And what do you make of the stage more generally? Is it lighting your fire? Let us know in the comments box below. 

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BasshunterNL
BasshunterNL
6 years ago

The Netherlands is NOT anti-Ukraine. In last year’s ‘referendum’ some 16 per cent of the population voted against the treated with Ukraine, because of reasons that had NOTHING to do with Ukraine. Like Brexit voters, many people voted for completely different reasons; they voted against the government, not against Ukraine. When I asked friends and family, it struck me that most voters did not even know what they were voting about. And 70 per cent of the population did not vote, as they considered the entire referendum nonsense. Our parliament was in favour and that mattered.

Lovely
Lovely
7 years ago

She’s great

Avi walker
Avi walker
7 years ago

Vienna is not so bad

Zebb
Zebb
7 years ago

Something have been compromised because of delays. Well, not like the stage was clever, being small on ground but huge on top, leading to exclusion of some good camera views above it (remember JESC stage last year). I tend to assume that ‘compromise’ is related to possible dynamic nature of that construction – that could be possible due to those gaps on its surface.
I only wonder in the end, will there ever be any investigation about that break attempt from messy team that did nothing, according to next director?

DyGh
DyGh
7 years ago

@Oxana omg please stop spamming almost each and every post.
Thank you.

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

ah, and I forget to mention that Naviband will fly. thet haven’t shared all details yet, but it looks like they are going for something more than just a guitar and cheerful dance. They prepare in Ukraine so they already know the stage and how to use it efficiently, I wonder if it will give a boost to their performance, because they certainly can use perks of home stage Ukraine considers Belarusian artists as our close friend and family member, no politics can change our cultural ties even if they officially Russian ally they still Ukrainian family member and it… Read more »

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Bouke “they added text” that text was a humiliation. something like we, beggars, won’t ask you for anything. what nation would sign that? I’m sorry Dutch people, maybe you’re nice and great people but your government did terrible thing and maybe the only reason why Ukraine purchased services from Dutch business is EBU or the price (lower than from competitors and there’s no budget for something other). I wonder what people would say about this deal. looks like our President-merchant have shortened his term even more. don’t blame on politics. I’m not the only human being who brings politics to… Read more »

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

Michael Adam,
I have nothing against Dutch people, and I have Dutch clients for years, they are reliable and honest people. I’m speaking about politics and people who handle trade deals between countries. Last year Dutch goverment humiliated us and geopardized our hard work on trade deals with whole Europe. Tho I’m aware that Dutch business is one of the top 5 investors in Ukraine (at least it was before, maybe not any longer). But people here very angry with that “referendum” and it’s outcome.

MS
MS
7 years ago

I think that that the best fore ESC would be that some part of the show should be handeled by ESC from year to year. Why?

1. To save many fore the county that orginace the show.
2. Be able to use experience and material from year to year.

Perhaps the stage could be something that a central group whithin ESC could work whith?

i would’t mind if germans would be involved i a stage here in sweden! I think that it should be better was to use many, materials, experiens and inovention.

R
R
7 years ago

Urgh, I did not like the Vienna stage at all.

Ando
Ando
7 years ago

The answer is easy
-Bulgaria
-Romania

Cf
Cf
7 years ago

Gosh…The staging will definitely be bad compared to Sweden last year. Maybe not a single hologram?

Michael Adam
Michael Adam
7 years ago

@ando, We’re going a bit off topic here hah, but I’m seriously curious what cases in what countries you’re meaning because it’s really my field of interest. And like I just said, last weeks elections have only showed the vast majority of people in the Netherlands is very pro EU and believe in decisions that are taken by the EU. Anyway I’ll do some research!

Ando
Ando
7 years ago

@ Michael Adam

I know that The Netherlands is a great country, but in the same time is true what I’ve said. I know at lest 2 countries where politicians told the citizens : ”don’t buy products that came from The Netherlands”, because is a country that says NO to other EU countries joining Schengen, but that has a lot of businesses in non Schengen countries.

Michael Adam
Michael Adam
7 years ago

@Oxana, This is very unfair to say since you wouldn’t know how immensely pro-Ukraine the Dutch people are. This coincidentally Dutch company got the job because apparently they get the job done in a few weeks! Say yay instead of nay!!! @ando, That’s a very interesting thing to say about one of the actual founders of the EU, with one of the most open en tolerant arms to nations from outside. The Netherlands today, still, are one of those countries who are absolutely PRO Europe, just take a look at last weeks elections. So you better embrace that and see… Read more »

Ando
Ando
7 years ago

”In Baku, the cat walks continued as seen in 2010 and 2011, but for the first time we had a Green Room situated inside the arena with the audience. This tradition has continued every year with the exception of Malmo 2013 so far.”

I like this tradition, and also like if fans in the audience will record the reactions from the Green Room instead of showing us the stage that we see anyway on tv.

OG3NE2017
OG3NE2017
7 years ago

“this is a result of the stage being less complicated this time, owing to delays in the organisation.”

it feels like they have to compromise the design of the stage/green room because of the delay…

PP
PP
7 years ago

Best stage for me
1. 2014
2. 2009
3. 2011
Best stage if we look period and tehnology in that period stage from 1988. Same woman design stage for Eurovision 1994, 1997.

Uri
Uri
7 years ago

love wiwibloggs!!!

M_K
M_K
7 years ago

@ Tazmanian DeMoon

If your uterus looks likes this, you should see a doctor.

MTD
MTD
7 years ago

@Oxana – darling, stop with your political nonsense under every article on Wiwi that mentions Ukraine. @Bouke – “After the NO vote of the people in The Netherlands the government decided to do almost nothing about it and to not listen to the people.” – if only the UK Gov did the same. Sigh. As per the stage thing, every year, the production of the show is international, you don’t need to say that the countries should “add local flavor”. A person sitting back at home, won’t matter whether the rigging or the lights are home-grown (LOL) or from abroad.… Read more »

Julian
Julian
7 years ago

All this extravaganza is very mockable and kitsch like. Adds miles to the idea of itinerary circus. Howdy, howdy, howdy, ladies and gentlemen, you will witness tens of wonderful numbers from all the continent, do not miss, the highlight of this year show, the man… rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…. with the naaaked…. goooo-rilllllllla.

M_K
M_K
7 years ago

Since I don’t feel qualified to give my thoughts on politics in the Netherlands I’ll just comment on the stage:

Looks nice!

Ando
Ando
7 years ago

Oxana : ”I can’t believe it. Dutch morons nulled our trade agreement with EU because they hate Ukraine and there’s nothing to trade with such country and what have we seen just now? they are selling their crappy pipes to Ukraine?”

Dutch always vote no. Their politicians are the only ones in EU that don’t want Schengen area to be bigger, to include other EU members. They are very defensive.

Bouke
Bouke
7 years ago

@Oxana Not everyone hates Ukraine here in The Netherlands. The most ‘no’ voters had absolutely NO idea what they were voting for. They thought Ukraine would join the EU if they voted yes. Actually only 32% of the Dutch people went on to vote and from that 61% voted NO (all stupid people by the way). There were also people who voted yes. 😀 And The Netherlands is actually very pro-Ukraine and Anti-Russian, also the inhabitants. But it was just a stupid referendum, organized by a stupid, annoying, irritating person to “save the Dutch democracy”. I live in The Netherlands,… Read more »

Lolol
Lolol
7 years ago

@Oxana:
Absolute nonsense. I am Dutch and we primarily voted ‘no’ because some of us are tired of the European power in our country. We don’t hate Ukraine, our news is almost always anti-Russian and leaning towards pro-Ukrainian. So why are you bringing up political opinions (that are not correct) to a song contest?

Mameo
Mameo
7 years ago

I had a hard time to decipher the headline. When it’s all in caps …

Hada
Hada
7 years ago

We already had Harambe and Epic Sax Guy, and now the stage is inspired by Left Shark. This is shaping up to be Memevision 2017.

ESC84
ESC84
7 years ago

Being the second largest country in Europe and the country that inherits the second most inheritages from Soviet-Union, sorry but Ukraine end up like THIS is only theirselves to blame.

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

ok, I can’t hold it back 🙂 do you know what is kokoshnik? it’s headgear that old Russians trully invented (almong their 3-4 original things) rather than stole from others. google its images and look at the stage shape 🙂 it’s kokoshnik. any ideas why? 🙂

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

I believe every country should learn and try to build everything by themselves. this way at least some kind of progress could be a reward for huge spendings. and I love that trial and error part. imagine ESC84, fikri, Tom, Ern and couple of their buddies staying on newly build floor of the fan zone and it slowly starts to collapse… no one gives a glimpse at poor victims of Ukrainian construction because there’s their vaforite artist on the scene. ah, sweet dreams 🙂

Oxana
Oxana
7 years ago

I can’t believe it. Dutch morons nulled our trade agreement with EU because they hate Ukraine and there’s nothing to trade with such country and what have we seen just now? they are selling their crappy pipes to Ukraine? I hope we paid them one half of the price and I hope they will embrace our roads 🙂 it’s indeed not the EU and they better get cargo plane like Antonov to move it in one shot than risking to stuck among “no road” areas. why they will be in hurry to dismount it? will sell it to someone else?… Read more »

ESC84
ESC84
7 years ago

4 days.. Let’s hope it won’t collapse..

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

well at least we know the stage will be ready in time since it’s not being build by a local company…

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

James, perhaps that is the case. I was just using Belarus as an example, though. It would still be pretty obscene for them to spend a vast fortune on the contest while the people protest and journalists and artists are being locked up for no good reason. They are ruled by a power-mad dictator and their human rights record is pretty appalling. Like some other countries…cough, Azerbaijhan, ahem…it is questionable whether they should even be competing.

I guess that’s a whole other kettle of fish, though.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/25/belarus-lukashenko-protesters-riot-police-attack-minsk

James
James
7 years ago

Purple Mask: What motivates these countries to take part every year is the potential tourist boost hosting the contest on their turf could bring and hopefully recoup all the money spent on a one-week annual event with bigger returns.

I don’t think having it in the same place would encourage similar enthusiasm unless we can have a single mobile venue and can be built, dismantled and rebuilt like a castle of Legos and ve moved around to one host country to another. 🙂

James
James
7 years ago

Jonas, I have no doubt if ever Belarus wins, it has the capability to host ESC as it did host JESC before. The Minks Arena could serve as the primary venue.

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Well, I don’t know if I’d like that. Where would that venue be? Baku? Stockholm? Lisbon? No, just scale the costs back and stop trying to out-do the previous year. The EBU insist on a massive-scale production, which to me, is ludricous when you consider some of the countries participating. Ukraine’s troubles are different, but it’s not fair to expect small countries to shell out millions for three nights of TV. Say if Romania or Belarus or San Marino actually won the thing – they wouldn’t know what to do – they’d be like the dog that caught the bumper.… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

@Jonas: Agreed. And with the added costs, would it not be better to keep Eurovision at the same venue every year? At a purpose-built venue.

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

It’s kind of a shame that the modern Eurovision has to rely on the same companies for their high-tech big budget stage extravaganzas. What is the point of different countries hosting the contest if it’s the same international team responsible for some aspects year after year? It loses so much of the local flavor, and of course the huge pressures are a large part of the reason that broadcasters find it such a burden to stage the show. Less is more. Scale back, people. Go back to simple sets, with local designers and local crews etc. Stop bankrupting yourselves under… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

“Energise.” 😀
Well we have a song with some ‘Star Trek’ references this year – Montenegro!! Some terrible Purple jokes coming…
“The spaceship looks ready to blow, Captain. She canna take much more! No need to worry, I have my suit on.”

In all seriousness, this stage actually does look made for Slavko’s song! 😀

Donna Vey
Donna Vey
7 years ago

The 2015 stage was great for me, I thought the ‘stage of lights’ concept was clever and very appropriate for the spirit of Eurovision.

goprake
goprake
7 years ago

It’s kinda sad they have to dismantle the stage 🙁

Chris (frostyw)
Chris (frostyw)
7 years ago

That last picture of the stage DOES give me a major “beam me up, Scotty” vibe.

eeuuaann
eeuuaann
7 years ago

the 2015 stage looks ugly though, why them again?