And then there were three: Either Kyiv, Dnipro or Odessa will be the Eurovision 2017 host city.
Speaking at the announcement event this morning in Kyiv, Victoria Romanova — the deputy director general of NTU and Ukraine’s Head of Delegation for Eurovision — said that none of the bids were 100% ideal and that every city had areas to work on. But after careful consideration of the arenas, security situation, availability of hotels, local airports and financial viability, they decided these three cities presented the best overall package for Eurovision 2017.
Owing to the strength of the bids, this is one more finalist than the original two NTU said they would announce previously.
Discussing today’s announcement:
Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala spoke briefly. She said her only memory of Eurovision in Stockholm was the arena, so emphasised how important the venue is, and said she would respect and accept any decision made by the Organising Committee (despite previously coming out in favour of Odessa).
Kyiv has been considered a front-runner from the very beginning, and Odessa emerged as a dark horse after Jamala threw her weight behind the city. Dnipro, a surprise to many, is currently constructing its EuroArena, which could fit 9,500 guests, and that may have helped push it into the final. During today’s final presentations, the mayor stressed that the city had helped fend off aggression from Russia in the Spring.
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.
Ukraine’s First Channel has said that the winner will be announced on July 27, after officials from the EBU and NTU visit each of the three finalist cities.
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.
What do you think? Do you agree with the organisers’ decision?
@karminowe.usta
“This country want to show force against Russia.”
Ha ha, you are so funny 😀
Russia wants to show force against Ukraine by organizing their JESC 2016 national final in Crimea. Do some research, darling.
In my opinion only capital of Ukraine. Dnipro is political choice. Odessa is so far. I feel Dnipro would be organiser because Ukraine is unpredictable. This country want to show force against Russia.
I think that Lviv (which was one of strong candidates) wasn’t qualified intentionally by NTU so Kyiv can be chosen. Dnipro and Odessa are chosen just for the sake of formality.
Would have lied to have seen Lviv here. But would be absoultely made up if Odessa won. How do I become a wiwiblogger btw?
lmao dnipro
I still think the contest needs to be safe, and I’m not sure Odessa can promise that
Well then, i guess Odessa!
If Kiev wins, this was all pointless. If Odessa wins, Say yay! If Dnipro wins, what!?
Another official promo of Dnipro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThYImdgb-n0
I want Odessa, but I hope they create more flights from and to other countries. Their airport schedule is tragic.
Disappointed about Lviv. Looks like I will never know how to pronounce it.
My support is now behind Odessa I have a friend from there. Wouldn’t be sad if kiev won though either
I’m disappointed so much. I wanted L’viv. Waste of time. It’s gonna be Kiev again
I don’t care anymore. Just tell me when the show is airing and I’ll tune in.
Interesting that Lviv was eliminated. But from the 3 remaining, I think it will be Kyiv. It’s really the only logical choice now, regarding safety, transport, infrastructure and connectivity. It could be Odessa either but the city is not entirely safe, even though it looks so beautiful. My money is on Kyiv, but I won’t be surprised if Odessa gets it. Definitely won’t be Dnipro.
Odessa all the way, no doubt
No Lviv? That’s a surprise… and a bad one. 🙁
Anyway, now I hope for either Kyiv or Odessa.
Only Odessa!!!
A message for everyone who got spotify, share Ovidiu Antons song “Still alive”(“Moment of Silence” isn’t released) to your friends, he wanted to be seen by the world at Eurovision, but that didn’t happen, so let’s give him some replacement, and share it to other users of spotify, you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to, but this is my suggestion for a replacement if you think it is unfair with the disqualfication.
Wow, Dnipro? The arena seems very small and they probably wouldn’t be able to house all the fans…
It’s definitely between Odessa and Kyiv now. If the latter is chosen, I hope it’s not Palace of Sports due to the hockey championship…
Boy, I’m sure glad Kiev qualified. 🙂
Odessa <3
Odessa looked very appealing from that clip.
If they pick palace of sports, what will it mean for the hockey? It’ll just get booted out?! Unfair!
I would discard Dnipro. The elected city would come from Kiev and Odessa. I would personally go for Odessa.
Well, Wiwibloggs guys, first of all not OdeSSa, but OdeSa – the first one is Russian, while the second one is Ukrainian.
Then, I know you were great fans of Lviv, however! there is one little issue with this incredible city – the residents of Lviv are very religious. and i do NOT exaggerate. And as you very well know religion and gay life don’t really go together.
So Odesa, Dnipro and Kyiv are good, acceptable and reasonable choices.
definitely, Odessa. \o
Odessa all the way.. That stadium sounds good.
Odessa!!
If they choose Kyev all that contest would have been for nothing. They could have chosen it from the beginning. Go odessa pleeaaase.
Odessa I can imagine being lots of fun. Outdoor parties on the sea front and a unique and historic city. I’m tempted to go for a holiday.
odessa 2017????????
well, i was wrong. chornomorets stadium in odesa is not so far from historical center.
nevertheless, in logistic terms it’s more difficult to get to odesa comparing with kyiv and lviv. smaller airport, trains are not so frequent as to previously mentioned cities.
but it has chances as to my mind. although kyiv still seems more convenient.
Where is Lviv? I hope Odessa will get chosen!
I`ve been in Odessa, I had the most positive impressions! 🙂
dnipro – that’s a joke. the city definitely lacks decent hotels, hostels, and infrastructure in the whole.
it’s a pity lviv is not among semifinalists. the most developed and interesting city from touristic point of view.
so kyiv or odesa. now i think it will be kyiv. because everything is close and that’s convenient. i doubt chornomorets stadium in odesa is close to the city center.
Now that Lviv is out :'( it will be Odessa
Ideas are poinless since it will not be decided by this blog=))
Just likes or dislikes maybe…
Ideas!
Odessa or Kyiv definitley not Dnipro. I think Odessa for the fact that Kyiv or not considering a brand new venue like 2012 and the only way I was rooting for Kyiv would be for a new arena. I don’t think that The Palace Of Sports is suitable enough. For 2005 it definetely was…but not for 2017. Even the new “DniproEuroArena” is not suitable for 2017. I think they need to go at least 12,000 capacity. So for me, now I’m with Jamala. But then there’s problem with Odessa. It’s quite close to Crimea. Yes, not as close as Kherson… Read more »
Odessa WIN ?
I would vote for Dnepropetrovsk (Dmitro for the latest month or maybe a month or a half) where half of my relatives come from or Odessa since I like it because it smells the Blach Sea. The sea smell is really felt in Odessa. Not Kyev definitely.
Wow, no Lviv
Well, I would prefer Odessa or maybe Kyiv then
Bye Lviv! 🙁
Go Odessa! 😀
odessa all the way