Between spiralling costs and resigning executives, Ukraine’s Eurovision 2017 preparations have not gotten off to the best of starts.
And now, it seems that that the uncertainty will have a knock-on effect on the country’s Junior Eurovision participation.
During a press conference on Monday, Roman Keryk — the man in charge of Ukraine’s Junior Eurovision 2016 entry — made an appeal for financial support.
“We are actively preparing for performances in Malta. And the main issue in the preparation of Sofia [Rol] is the question of financing Ukrainian delegation that will travel with her to the contest (12-13 people). By November 13 we need to collect 580,000 UAH for this trip (over €20,000) – this is the minimum, which includes the cost of hotel and ticket costs at the site.”
Of the 580,000 UAH total needed, the delegation currently has only 50,000 UAH or just under €2,000.
Keryk confirmed that the “Unification of World Cultures” fund (UWCF) was responisble for the 50,000 sum.
The Ministry of Culture is also expected to contribue towards the delegation’s costs.
At the same time, UWCF’s executive director Anastasia Klysakova warned about the possibility of Ukraine missing out on Junior Eurovision 2017.
“We urge patrons, corporate sector and other foundations in our country, that they also gave their support and attention to Sofia Rol. The issue concerns the international image of the state as the next Ukraine’s participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2017 can be abolished if this year delegation will not go through financial problems.”
Sofia Rol is due to arrive in Malta for the contest next week. Her song “Planet Craves For Love” is already proving to be a fan favourite. One Wiwi Juror was particularly effusive in his praise for the entry:
Smooth, warm, delicious — her voice reminds me of hot chocolate. That’s a good start. And it becomes even better with the song, which channels mystery and a strong ethnic identity. The flowing and memorable chorus anchor the song so well. With the right staging this sophisticated number will transform into art.
There will be major disappointment and more than a few tears if the current difficulties impact negatively on the county’s participation.
Read more Junior Eurovision news.
Photo: ukrinform.ua
wiwi editors have to learn Ukrainian or at least to find someone who will explain them the meaning of the “News” they tried to break. In short, you’re sticking your nose into internal country affairs without proper explanation, which shows Ukraine as a beggar again. thanks a lot! What actually happened is a common routine for every ESC/jESC entry every year – participant have to secure funds for their entry. If they don’t have money then organizers ask LOCAL business to help. Read my lips, retarded commenters, LOCAL UKRAINIAN BUSINESS. no one ask you to donate. Jamala asked for money… Read more »
Part of me says that they can withdraw considering how forgettable their song is, but another part of me wishes them the best. Lemme donate a few coins.
Have you heard of E-declaration scandal in Ukraine. Last month Ukrainian politicians, judges, and other corrupt oligarchs declared their incomes and property via transparent system of E-declaration and it turned out that if all the money they have been grabbing from the people was collected, Ukraine could host ESC for 43 consecutive years. The worst country ever in history.
Dailymail write that Ukraine’s budget is not enough even for ESC and could be take place in Russia .So I wish u goid luck Sofia.
NO! I don’t want to see Sofia becoming Ovidiu 2. Please, don’t do this to a child! 🙁
@Leaf
Speak for yourself! 😛
@MS
Oh, you are so cold-hearted! Pathetic little bitch.
Withdraw. We have so many solo female. Nobody will miss you.
If they didn’t make an official video and a *cough* plagiarized *cough* intro video, maybe they would have enough funds.
Now I feel so sorry for Sofia. Hope the things will straighten out and she will have an opportunity to participate in a proper way.
It has become a nightmare that Ukraine lacks money for everything and the info is spread all over the world.
Petro P. is so interested to draw as much attention to Ukraine as possible… And he could sponsour both JESC participation and ESC hosting only by himself, he in person is not “poor”.
Why wouldn’t he do it silently?
im sorry, but a country that asks for donations for their junior eurovision entry HOTELS, can not host a senio eurovision. Simple as that.
Cut Them some Slack . . . . . . No One Watches JESC anyways it’s totally irrelevant who performes, just let the girl sing and be done with it.
5 days of disfunctional agony, meanwhile you can read about how much was declared by their deputees.
ALL Ukrainian participants of the Junior Eurovision in previous years are engaged in the search for means to participate in the competition. The broadcaster does not pay for the winner of selection, the search for money is the problem of the participants
Of course, it had to be one of my favorite entries .-.
This must be so stressful for Sofia… Things must be really hard in Ukraine, not to be able to secure $20K for the JESC delegation. My heart certainly goes to them–another reminder that in Europe there is still poverty and hardships and that these two simple words mean different things and in the different parts of Europe.
Hopefully, things work out for everyone involved.
Jut a thought though, since Sofia was selected through the national qualifier for JESC, isn’t it a given that the organizers themselves will shoulder a good portion of the costs of her participation since they are the ones who confirmed the country’s participation in the first place?
Having a national selection from the get-go would have mean having already secured sponsors to support such an endeavor.
They spend so much many for lobbying for victory at eurovision 2016
This is an internal Ukrainian ‘crisis’ and should be solved by a joint effort of both the public and private sector. I’m surprised that the funds for financing the delegation weren’t secured as ‘a done deal’ at the very early stages of this endeavor.
Another day, another mess from Ukraine. What’s new? This is what happens when a financially & morally bankrupt tries to punch above it’s weight. At this rate, the show next year will be held at the slums watched by beggars
Ukraine = a joke. Hahaha
I would cry really hard if they would withdraw
let’s hope they blew the budget on a great show for 2017!
damn that is bad.
I don’t know why Ukraine keeps asking for money
When Syrian FIFA representive participated FIFA world cup qualification, they did not ask for this or that, they bought cheap clothes from clearance in a normal market. Because of this, i respect them. They know their situation and spend their money which they can afford.
Meanwhile in Ukraine… other countries do not owe Ukraine anything.