After the shocking announcement that after 64 years, the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 is cancelled due to Europe’s ongoing battle with Covid-19, the show’s executive producer Sietse Bakker revealed happier news in regards to the tickets already sold for the show.
Speaking to Dutch news broadcaster NOS, Bakker talked about the impact of the cancellation on the NPO and on the people who worked hard for the event. He said:
“These are obviously difficult times. Also difficult times to give any guarentees for the future. We are going to do everything, with the broadcasters, with the city of Rotterdam, to make Eurovision 2021 still happen there.”
“Eurovision is a huge production, perhaps the biggest television production that has ever been produced in the Netherlands. At the same time, we are insured for this. We will have to deal with the insurance companies and with all involved parties what this will exactly mean. But it now to early for that.
A big disappointment, but a decision we respect. A big thank you to everyone who worked on this só hard. At the same time, the challenges the world, Europe and our country face are so much bigger. That puts this in perspective. #OpenUp #Eurovision #esc2020 https://t.co/gSO0sJBB4o
— Sietse Bakker (@SietseBakker) March 18, 2020
Bakker thinks the 2020 artists should have their moment to shine
The website of the Eurovision Song Contest has uploaded a FAQ, explaining the “why” questions that many Eurovision fans have. The Reference Group is still going to discuss how the Eurovision 2020 can get the opportunity to perform their entries. Sietse Bakker emphasized this:
“That is a decision that is not ours, that is of the EBU. We think that all those artists have done their very best. They have all looked forward to the moment to shine on the stage for three minutes. We hope that we can come to an agreement with the EBU that is doing that people’s right.”
Bakker says that the tickets should remain valid
While the FAQ is reluctant to say anything about the two waves of sold tickets, Sietse Bakker told the NOS that he thinks that freezing the tickets until next year is the appropriate option.
“We have now said that we should leave the tickets where they are at the moment, namely with the people. So if we manage to do Eurovision 2021, the tickets will remain valid.”
The third and last wave of ticket sales was planned to be released on 26 March.
Read all our Eurovision 2020 news here
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I hope they have a full accounting of which seats they sold tickets for, so that they don’t sell tickets for the same seats in 2021, and a fight breaks out because 2 people have tickets for the same seat. 🙁
Next year will basically be like this year, we’re just skipping an edition. So if you weren’t lucky enough to get tickets for this edition, you shouldn’t be able to get them for the next one either. Besides, there are still some tickets left since the third wave hasn’t taken place (yet).
You had the chance to unite us, but you let go of it! Now let somebody else get it’s time to shine..
Even in a time of crisis, I’m still finding myself attracted to Sietse Bakker :’)
I think allowing the netherlands to remain as the host country for 2021 would be the fairest decision in light of the cancellation. They’ve already got things organized together–it’s just put off for another year. Today, my parents and I were supposed to travel to Israel but the trip has been postposned to an unknown time.
seriously, who cares about tickets and not songs? I just don’t get the amount of disrespect towards the songs. It is like anything else is more important. They should have an answer about THAT first, before announcing
Honey it’s among the things that people who actually hold on to a ticket care to know about
Well, I care about tickets. My mom waited more than 40 years to attend Eurovision and miraculously, we managed to get tickets. So yeah, pretty important actually :”)
Maybe those people who managed to get tickets care about tickets?
I don’t see why it shouldn’t be in rotterdam tbh they have everything pretty much ready and the netherlands won the last edition plus they have said they are willing to organise it again..
Imagine if we have the same artists, but some returning countries for 2021 and maybe even Kazakhstan debuting! 😀 Not sure tho and it’s still very early to predict anything, but I’m trying to stay positive!!
Good point! I’m sure the EBU will want to make ESC 2021 bigger and better than ever so we can hope for Kazakhstan and maybe the return of Montenegro and Hungary!
@Sal @Jessey Yes! I think they would want to lighten up the mood by inviting more countries for 2021! After all Jon Ola Sand said 2021 will be stronger and better than ever 😀
I love how you’re fond of the idea of so many nations coming together, but Kazakhstan is socially, culturally, ethnically and philosophically Asian. I know they’re put in the same bin as Azerbaijan, Georgia & Armenia sometimes, but they shouldn’t be (and even the other three aren’t shining examples of a European nation). The reason Australia & Israel (and potentially Canada, New Zealand & USA) compete is because they are progressive, accepting and free (let’s put Palestine aside here, almost every nation has a Palestine, I assure you). If you think China censored the gays, wait till Kazakhstan deals with… Read more »
Great news!!