Au revoir August — and welcome Eurovision drama! Or should we say ongoing drama, as the Eurovision 2017 host city announcement has already been rife with ups and downs, rumours and intrigue, and allegation after allegation.
Most recently NTU scheduled and then cancelled the August 25 reveal 20 minutes before showtime — resulting in Dnipro’s mayor Boris Filatov describing the situation as shameful. Jon Ola Sand, the Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, then took to YouTube to declare that the last minute cancellation was down to some important final details. Aie aie aie…
Ukraine has CANCELLED its #eurovision #whowillwin announcement AGAIN https://t.co/4qs324As3n pic.twitter.com/onKX8IFhfN
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) August 25, 2016
But now the Odessa Courier and other local media in Ukraine report that the man behind the postponement is actually Kyiv mayor and boxing legend Vitali Klitschko, and that we are, in fact, headed to Odessa.
That’s right — according to unofficial information, the cancellation of the briefing was preceded Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko allegedly putting pressure on the competition committee and its head Zurab Alasania.
After that, several deputies demanded that Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman select Odessa as the Eurovision 2017 host city. In this way, old enemies — Odessa Governor Mikhail Saakashvili and Mayor of Odessa Gennady Truhanov — finally shook hands again. #ComeTogether.
Let’s not forget that during his interview with a privately-owned TV channel, MP Borislav Bereza claimed that Odessa was indeed chosen, but someone blocked the announcement.
At the same time, a number of influential politicians and media pundits in Ukraine have suggested that the Ministry of Culture has finally decided to make the announcement that will cheer up officials in “Odessa Mama”, as locals know their beloved city near the Black Sea.
Elsewhere activists have released a video showing us the “dark” side of Odessa, suggesting the city has plenty of issues to address — both for its residents and for potential visitors.
The official decision will reportedly be announced on Monday, 5 September.
What do you think? Do you prefer Odessa or Kyiv as the host city of Eurovision 2017? Let us know in the comments section below!
i still believe Dnipro should get the event. gives a good view to the world of eastern side of Ukraine and shows how safe it is. Ukraine must open up more cities to world view and Dnipro would be great for this. Also Kyiv and Odessa are very expensive, Dnipro would provide a lower cost event and people would enjoy the city very much
I hope its ODESSA 2017!!!! much better and safer than Kiev and time for a change Odessa a beautiful place to host Eurovision! Go Odessa ????
i hope that they will decide the host city anytime soon because the chances that the show is going to be good are zero…
@Bermooda, sorry what? Israel’s capital is Jerusalem and everyone knows that – where are you getting your information from? :S
@Vladimir You are suggesting a new definition of Eastern Europe? Well if you want Eurovision in Odessa sound exclusive and special, let’s name it Second non-capital host in former Warsaw pact countries, the other hosts being Baku, Moscow, Tallinn, Riga, Kiev, Belgrade and Zagreb all but the latter being capital cities when hosting the competition.
Do Turkey and Israel belong to Eastern Europe? I don’t think so. Eastern Europe is usually defined as the socialist block of countries (The Warsaw pact) and they did not participate (excl. Yugoslavia) in Eurovision before 1993.
@Vladimir P.
Actually, Odessa will be second non-capital host city in Eastern Europe. The first was Istanbul who hosted the Eurovision in 2004. Istanbul is largest city in Turkey, but it is not the capital city. Ankara is capital of Turkey
By the way, Odessa sounds interesting choice. 😀
@Vladimir P.
Has Istanbul ever been the Capital of Turkey? Yes, before 1920’s… Also the capital city of Israel is Tel Aviv, not Jerusalem.
Odessa will be the first non-capital host city from former Eastern Europe (excluding Zagreb in 1990 – today is the capital of Croatia). Nice!
Mweh, no surprises here huh. Tell me, how will Odessa be able to secure the thousands of fans and press? Just let Berlin or Moscow host it, EBU is crying right now for sure.
Today is 05.09 by the way
This whole thing was ridiculous.
Why was finding a host city such a spectacle? Just pick a place, and let’s get on with it.
That video lol! It’s not just a sarc whining but a major hand for their rivals. Prepaid maybe since politics don’t even try to hide their interest? I can’t imagine people would go like that for their hometown when everything is easy to solve.
Go Odessa by the Sea!!!
I really want Dnipro to still win the title XD
is this normal for Ukrainian politics? as an outsider i dont want to make assumptions, but biased un-informed me thinks that Vitali’s tactic is commonplace there.
But Alex is right! All cities have dark sides. New York, London, Moscow, Paris, etc., there is always gonna be a bad area. Doesn’t cancel out the good parts imo.
YES ODESSA 2017! Eurovison (and junior) has been in Kiev 3 times ! Time for somewhere else to host?
And that video clip could also be done with Kiev or any city, I’m sure somethig like ybag could be done with London or Paris – everywhere has nice parts and run down areas !
#ODESSA2017
Odessa looks like a charming town and why not…closer to Europe and on the Black Sea coast..
Odessa seems like a better choice.I don’t mind the wait as long as everything works in May.
Having stayed in both cities I would be much more comfortable in the more European Odessa than Kiev. The whole atmosphere is different – more welcoming.
@random.sage2.0 If a new venue should be built or old one renovated then Odessa will be chosen 100% because winter is coming to Kiev very soon, in the middle of November if not earlier. But I think Dnipro will be chosen. They have stronger mafia there. Anyway I am not optimistic. The contest will come with a bunch of controversies including not only ones related to venue/city preparation. This edition will be a cheap festival of propaganda.
@jamaladingdong
lol I heard the acoustics are AMAZING down there!
My question is will Odessa have the venues and accommodations in order before May next year. I know the EBU and SVT are helping out but I know Ukraine is lacking resources for such an event.
Or, maybe the postponement was to get all affairs in order so Odessa, the hotels, and the restaurants, and businesses are ready. Everything considered.
Aie aie aie indeed. Just like what Marie N said in 2002.
Why not host the contest in the Odessa catacombs instead? At least no one will worry about the lack of roof and their other problems that concern the rest of the city’s “dark” side.
I don’t give a f**k about the choice of the host city as long as the whole contest looks fine in my livingroom in may 2017
Nooo
Kiev please
By the way, the video is ridiculous.
Come Monday it will say announcement cancelled
And then they will postpone it again…
Waiting for the official announcement but i hope it will be odessa! #Odessa2017
Funny video they made. I’m sure they’ll prepare the city and it’s going to be great.
Corruption indeed.
Sorry, but it is not professional local e-media, and it is Odesa’s media))) Do not make such news, please. If you could read russian text you can find false information, for example they sat that Zurab Alasania is the Head of Committee but is it PM: and than told that some MP’s ask PM(why thay do not ask “real head”?) to choose Odesa. And it is that facts that a already false and they actually speaks about pressure on the government in choosing in favor of Odesa. And do not use MP Boryslav Bereza as authoritative person, because he is… Read more »
I loved Ukraine, voted for it and all….. But now I see what people are saying, maybe it wasn’t such a good idea for them to win…… Let’s hope the songs are good in 2017.
I believe it when i see it…
all cities have dark sides, the point is the local authorities to tackle them before the visitors and media come and in general to improve the city as it will get a lot of exposure next year.
I sure hope so! #Odessa2017! 😀