Ukraine’s broadcaster has received the all-important questionnaire from the European Broadcasting Union about hosting Eurovision 2023, and top officials say Ukraine should host the contest in the country.
That’s the message coming out of Friday’s press conference at Ukrinform — the Ukraine Media Center.
Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko said:
“We have no doubt that it should take place in Ukraine. The only thing is that no one has ever held Eurovision during war…We are now looking for answers with our colleagues to the most important conditions set by the European Broadcasting Union, but I think that we will have to explain during our dialogue that some conditions need to be changed.”
Mr. Tkachenko said that he planned to discuss many of the issues in the questionnaire with song contest officials today.
His statement at the press conference “that some conditions need to be changed” will prove decisive in whether Ukraine gets to host the contest. It’s not clear how much wiggle-room the EBU will allow.
As we reported in May, Ukraine’s state broadcaster understands that hosting Eurovision isn’t a given. Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of the Managing Board of state broadcaster AU:PBC, previously explained that hosting ESC 2023 is much more complex than just making a wish.
He said:
“We are doing our best, and I hope that the state will also support us in holding the Eurovision Song Contest here. I hope that the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in peaceful Ukraine. However, I am saying once again that the security factor is important and the final decision will be taken together with the European Broadcasting Union. It will be a difficult negotiation, I am already sure of that.”
“However, let me remind you that even in 2017, when the Eurovision Song Contest took place in Kyiv, there was quite a big discussion. For example, then Ukraine pledged the so called financial guarantee of 15 million euros. In case something suddenly goes wrong, another country would hold the competition with these funds. Therefore, this issue is much more complex than just a wish. I am convinced that we need to do all our best so that the Eurovision Song Contest should take place in Ukraine.”
Do you think that Ukraine should host Eurovision 2023? What conditions do you think the Minister of Culture wants changed? Let us know in the comments box below.
It’s going to be in London. Eurovision 2023 wil be hosted by Graham Norton and Petra Mede.
Guys, I have no doubt that the EBU and the Ukrainian broadcaster and government are fully aware of all the difficulties that a Ukrainian hosting of Eurovision 2023 will encounter. They don’t need us to list them for them. At the same time, it’s of huge symbolic value for the Ukrainians at this time to state that they want to do it. I think it’s wise that for now the EBU is keeping quiet and lets the Ukrainians have this moment. I’m sure that behind the scenes everyone is working their butts off preparing for all possible scenarios, and that… Read more »
Kyiv is being bombed now, even though troops left northern Ukraine. EBU should just give an anouncement that Eurovision is not possible in Ukraine
yes but it was the first time in 1 or 2 months
Why is the EBU waiting so long it’s time for them just to say it’s not going to be in Ukraine 2023 they are stupid members the EBU they have destroyed a contest
So Kyiv was hit by Russian bombs…..
@William Lee Adams family why are you still following Sergey Lazarev after the recent post he made about ‘nazis’ shelling in Ukraine? He’s pro-war and pro-Putin, please exclude him.
He was forced to do it … he loves Ukraine
I’m so over Ukraine … enough is enough already.
Are they for real ? Aren’t they in a war ? Their priorities are all screwed up apparently
For me Eurovision 2023 should be held in Ukraine if possible but as a plan B it should be held in Brussels, Strassbourg or Switzerland as a united organisation with all broadcasters combined. I can see a united EBU overcomming the difficulties of war and finally show what it stands for. Instead of a ‘post war Europe’ a ‘Europe taking the call’ I can even see the poscards in that case, linking the birthtown of the singer or songwriter with a town in Ukraine. Thus marking the fact that we reach out for eachother. It could show mothers and refugees… Read more »
Thank you, Wales. Finally, an event where politics is not involved.
If Russia is willing to send missiles at Kyiv while the Secretary General of the UN is in the city then let’s be under no doubt that if Ukraine and Russia are still at war then they will likely target Eurovision 2023 or the host city itself – no matter where in Ukraine it is held. As long as the war continues then delegations cannot be asked to threaten their safety like that. Then let’s discuss cost. If Eurovision does go ahead would it be fair or right to spend €20mil on ESC when there are far more important projects… Read more »
Ukraine did a bad job hosting last time. The hosts were all cringy. Who wants to experience that again?
Wasn’t thay cringy in Portugal?
The hosts are cringy almost every year. Your criteria would disqualify most of the countries from hosting.
They were worst in Ukraine still
Because the Netherlands’ Jan Smit with his comments about “pizza and sambuca”!1!1!1! wasn’t, right?
It wouldn’t be the first time a runner-up or other country than the winner would host the contest
I dont understand the situation now. Refugees, people leaving their homes, people being killed, a war… But Ukranian government is determined to host Eurovision ’23.
May it be, then, possible the situation is not as bad as they want us to believe? If it really is how can they guarantee the safety of all the participants, public, journalists??? Or is it like: we want to host the Festival for reasons of our own and if something were to happen, we are sorry we are at war and Russians are to blame?
The Ukrainian issue will last for some additional months, at least. I can see them winning next year, too.
Get ready folks, we are officially in the darkest era of Eurovision’s history.
Sure. Worse than the stolen win of 2011, which resulted in eight hours of propaganda for a dictator. Okay.
The dark era started last year when pre-recorded vocals replaced live backsingers.
We had war for 9 years yet we did not win 9 times. Educate yourself please.
Ukraine should be reasonable and let the UK or Spain host it. I have nothing against Ukraine winning the contest, I like the song and I am glad that Europe united to support a country at war, but please. Neither is it possible financially speaking, neither should we forget the safety risks.
Jeg er helt med på lad os komme til London næst år
La tuya por si acaso
the problem is, if I were UK/Spain, I would refuse to host it. A clearly -let’s not say politically motivated- sympathy victory comes with all its consequences. Why would they want to spend extra money on hosting an expensive event when they can spend it in their next year’s entry, if the public decided Ukraine’s song deserved more to win?
The word is “decline” instead… nobody is forcing them to. If they don’t want it, that’s fine. There are other choices.
I’m already in peace with the fact that Ukraine won this year’s contest for extra-musical reasons (I won’t call it political reasons, but rather “emotional” or “humanitarian” reasons). But this? Please, no. Stop it now. Just give the organisation to the UK and let’s have a normal contest, like the ones we used to have before the pandemic.
greats
I would love for the competition to take place in a free and independent Ukraine, but unfortunately, the EBU should not endanger people’s lives while the war is still going on. That’s why I think the contest should be held in the UK, and other possibilities might be Poland or Turkey due to their close relations with Ukraine
Turkey?? lol
LONDON 2023
I hope not. My top hosts ever are Portugal, Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Ukraine 2005 & 2017 does not come near top 10 for me. Even Turin this year was still better than Kyiv 2017. Which says it’s self. I love Ukraine but not as a host unfortunately.
It’s never going to be in Ukraine next year no one will put their life at risk
exactly what I told you. Ukraine will not give up a right to host if there is even a tiny possibility to do so. I am a Ukrainian so I know our mindset
No one will put their lives at risk for a contest if it will take place in a war-torn zone, you know that, right? ukraine should think about this before putting their nationalism above everything else
Half of the country is relatively safe. It is dangerous on the East and South. West is calm
And your mindset is placing nationalism above human safety both your own and everyone else outside Ukraine …
Don’t forget the numerous Ukrainians citizens who have fled the country all over Europe …
That desire for national pride by welcoming the contest is not going to help you defeat Russia …
people from the West are not leaving. Those from the occupied territories do. I am just saying that there are options
In a contest started to foster cross-European solidarity in the aftermath of WWII people voted to express solidarity with a country that was victim to the biggest crime against peace in eighty years. Frankly, I can think of no more deserving winner than that. Yes, Ukraine probably won’t be able to host next year but seriously who really cares? The only people who will get upset are Eurovision superfans who are completely lacking in any sort of perspective. I swear to god, if Eurovision and the site had been around in the 1939 the comments would be filled with people… Read more »
Taking everything away my pick for best song and performance was Lithuania and I would rank Ukraine fifth. Absent the war I suspect it would have gotten a result similar to Moldova with strong numbers among televoters but flopping among juries. My point however is this is a unique circumstance where I think it’s fine to take outside events into account when voting and it’s not a big deal in the scheme of things if Eurovison 2023 has to be hosted somewhere other than Ukraine.
Several things:
a) are u losing your sleep over this?
b) are you in therapy?
c) can’t you move on from this?
d) don’t you have bills to pay and a job to do?
If you really know anything about Eurovision and if you understand the power of the televote in the contest … then don’t waste your time. Nothing is gonna be the way you want it to be … get over yourself before you have a stroke or something.
While I would bet against their actually being to host, I do wonder about the feasibility of adopting a one off outdoor festival style format for hosting. If it’s along the Polish border Eurovision could be “in” Ukraine but away from anything that might be targeted and implicitly protected due to Russian unwillingness of launching an attack on the border of a NATO country. Meanwhile the Eurovision village and opening ceremonies could safely be held in Poland.
It should but the won’t!
The organization will be worse than Torino 2022.
Somewhere, I undertand the Ukrainian gouvernent. If they said they can’t host it’s like a failure for them. BUT the gouvernment can’t say Ukraine is safe to host an edition when bombs drops on their heads. Obviously Ukraine should not and can not host.
I mean, they could simply reject it by saying that they have more serious things to do, like taking care of Ukrainian women and children refugees abroad. Like rebuilding ruined infrastructures. Financing the Ukrainian arymy. But apparently it must be Eurovision.
NO THANK YOU!
I’d rather see it cancelled than being hosted in Ukraine especially at this time.
I would absolutely go if it was hosted in Lviv tomorrow. Kyiv would be a tougher call but I’d still probably go. With the demand always exceeding supply, I’m pretty sure enough of us would come.
Ukraine should never host. They’ve hosted twice before and both times the contest was almost cancelled due to their inability to plan large events. And those two hosting years were during peace times.
Ukraine should never ever host Eurovision ever again. Never, ever.
Never is too radical… But is it true that both editions in Ukraine were almost cancelled?
I remember in 2016, the host city selection process was very messy and the government couldn’t assure money so Germany was nearly going to host due to lack of professionalism
Peace times? Maybe you’ve never heard of the 2004 Orange Revolution, or the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Try Wikipedia.
I am sorry, but it’s a NO. 20% of the ukrainian territory is occupied by Russians as of right now. The war hasn’t stopped yet but the news aren’t the most promising either, unfortunately.
Have we forgotten so quickly about those attempted cyber-attacks during this year’s contest? If in 2022 we got cyber attacks from R*ssia “with love”, who knows what we’ll get next year? Let me be clear on this: I do not trust R*ssia ONE bit.
The safety of the crew behind the scenes, fans in the arena and contestants should be a top priority!
So they are willing to spend millions to host it at a time when their people need financial support. Well done Europe for your brilliant televote.
The Dumbest people voted for Ukraine.
Who are these people? From what I see the vast majority of viewers picked up a phone and voted for Ukraine. If your friends say they aren’t going to watch next year then they don’t sound very committed. Which means they probably didn’t cast a vote for whatever country they thought should win. If that’s the case then they have no right to complain.
I really wonder what is happening behind the scenes and if there really is a debate between the EBU and Ukraine about whether they can or cannot host the contest. As much as we want Ukraine to host it, it shouldn’t even be a debate, like hello, there is a war ongoing there ?? Are we really thinking about organizing such a thing there ?
They really wanna risk the safety of tens of thousands of people just to send the weakest of messages to Russia.
Obviously the idea is to host Eurovision outside of active war areas.
Ukraine will win every year until the war is over anyway, so it’s not as if they will miss out on hosting in the end.
Are you stupid? We had war for 9 years. Did we win 9 times?
Are you talking about Yugoslavia? Apprently Europeans were giving no care to Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia at that time. Kosovo is not even eligible to participate in contest. It’s surely not the same thing.
About Ukraine people are manipulated in masses by the media like crazy.
Ukraine had war for 9 years on the East. And we are not manipulated, we see the truth through our windows. You must me from ruzzia
*must be
No, Mariia was not talking about Yugoslavia. If you don’t know what she’s actually talking about, then it’s hard to take seriously anything you say on this subject.
There was no Televote in times of Yugoslavia!!!
Realistically I don’t see how Ukraine could safely host, and even if they did get past that hurdle, would the money it would cost them not be better spent elsewhere, like rebuilding?
I think a good compromise would be let the UK, or someone else host it, and if that country wins within let’s say 5 years, then they could allow Ukraine to host then, when hopefully it will be safe to do so.
The EBU got the result they wanted so I hope they enjoy the stress and drama this year
Realistically, we can’t even guarentee Ukraine will participate next year.
They won for all the wrong reasons. Europe, get ready for another Ukrainian drama, just like every year. This country is problematic from every aspect, and I feel so sorry for its citizens.
Just let Eurovision be a song contest again..
Most Ukrainian dramas stem from their selection of contestant. It’s mostly us fans who follow (and revel) in the drama of the internal politics of Ukrainian broadcasters. The vast majority of Eurovision viewers just see the Ukrainian entry for the first time every may and what they see most years is an above average entry.
This year the song was below average.
Let’s not forget, every year Ukraine hosted the contest was almost cancelled due to their inability to host large events.
The Ukrainian drama, whatever place it hails from, is always political. There is always a political crisis going on in there. Like, this year with Alina Pash, she wasthe cible of hate from an extreme-right YouTuber, who started the drama of her travel history.
In the past, at least 7 of their 17 Eurovision participants turned into politicians. From Ruslana to Zlata Ognevich. I find this really particular how real time politics and Eurovision are intertwined in Ukraine. I mean I think there is no other country like that ever participated in Eurovision.
It’s NOT about whether they should or not, it’s about COULD they. Could they garuntee the safety of thousands of fans and many artists when they is a war going on, when the host city could be bombed during the event? It’s too risky! There are too many problems and things that could go wrong! And from a moral point of view, the money would actually be wasted on this. The Ukrainian people need their homes rebuilt. It would be a disaster for Ukraine’s image as they would appear to be glamourising rather than looking after their own people, because… Read more »
*there is a war going on
Reading the comments, there’s been a real turn in the tides for Ukraine’s reputation. They have been damaged SIGNIFICANTLY by this. I told you guys not to let them win! Now Eurovision as we know it may not even happen next year unless its hosted in the UK!
You can not be serious. Any Ukrainians reading this, please ignore it – it’s not even close to being true.
I think that the EBU should find a solution and be clear asap. We all know that there is no way that they will be able to organise the contest next year, even if the invasion ends soon. Financial, infrastructural, logistical issues make that impossible. The EBU knows that, so why delay this predicament? Find a new host country and make it into a collab between that host broadcaster and the Ukraine. Find a host from each country, give both of the country a ticket to the finals and you are set.
There’s no need to make the decision ASAP. The situation is evolving quickly and since there are still few months left until the host city needs to be locked in a lot may change until then. I’m pretty sure that EBU has a backup plan and is probably in talks with the alternative host broadcaster but there’s no need to activate these plans until it’s clear Ukraine won’t be able to host in May.
President Zelensky giving a speech during Grand Final via Zoom? Thank you but no. I really admire Ukrainian people for their fight and heroism but no politics on Eurovision. I hope EBU won’t take a risk to jeopardize the contest and life of the artists, crew and viewers (if any would go there).
Eurovision without politics
As much as I want Kyiv or Lviv to host, we got to be realistic. The invasion is expected to last well into next year, according to experts. Although cities like Kyiv and Lviv are much safer since the Russian withdrawal from northern Ukraine and are not currently under threat of occupation, they are still under threat from missiles. Airspace is also closed and will remain closed as long as the war is continuing. Of course Ukraine won the right to host but you are forgetting one thing, they are at WAR! It’s not a normal circumstance as seen when… Read more »
I believe so as well and hope so since the UK might have won given different circumstances
Or finished further down the ladder were Ukraine not at war, the votes from 6 juries not “adjusted” and 3 other countries not ahead of them in televote.
Actually, Ukraine was at war when they hosted in 2017.
Not to the extent to which it is now though. Bombs were not dropping on major cities like Kyiv in 2017 as well you know.
Let’s not be too pedantic about what I said. What I said is still true.
But that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? Some areas may be safe even when there is a war somewhere else in the country. Fighting is now focused in the east and the situation in the west has largely improved – it’s not 100% normal yet, but fairly close.
Kyiv was literally just bombed 6 times this morning. Despite the fact that it’s deemed “safe”
No artist in his right mind will travel for two weeks to a country that is at war for a performance of three minutes. And the EBU knows that.
Off course the Ukrainians want to host the contest but the EBU can’t allow that under these circumstances.
Ukraine was at war in the Donbas when Kyiv hosted in 2017. Russia was at war in Chechnya when Moscow hosted in 2009. When Ukraine hosts in 2023, they will also still be at war. This war is limited to specific regions in the largest country in Europe. If Lviv (the likely host city), or possibly even Kyiv, can safely host, then let them. Normality is returning to Ukrainian cities, over 50 embassies have returned to work this week. Ukraine is rebuilding as we speak and they want as much attention as possible to further rebuild, Eurovision is an opportunity… Read more »
It wasn’t the same, and you know that. That were wars in an specific area and with few weapons.
Those conflicts were smaller. This Ukrainian war is MASSIVE and is a result of 15 years of build up seen from those smaller events. This is the war that will decide finally which one is superior.
this is going to be a mess
Ukraine won and has the right to host the contest. They have the full right to decide if they chose to do so or not. Any country fearing for their safety can participate live-on-tape. I don’t think this ideal in any way but one just has to respect and accept Ukraina’s rights as winners of the 2022-contest.
It’s not that simple. Foreign broadcasters won’t be able to obtain insurance for their delegations if they send them to Ukraine in its current state – what insurance company is going to insure people going to a war zone?!
The EBU aren’t going to settle for a contest conducted live-on tape no matter what Ukraine wants, and ultimately it’s EBU that owns the contest and decides what happens, not the previous year’s winner.
I mean like…have you watched the news?? There’s a big destructive event happening there right now, it’s called a war? Don’t think you’ve heard of it
It still won’t help, since Ukraine will need a lot of money, though not for Eurovision 2023, but for restoration.
This contest has gone phaqing downhill in only one year …
Mainly the east of Ukraine is at war. A city like Lyviv very close to the Polish border could host the contest.
As if Putin would attack a city with 41 mostly European countries in it. Not even a lunatic like him is that stupid. Let them host the show so the world the world can see that Putin failed at his ideology. To make Ukraine part of Russia. His days are over and to see the ESC in may 2023 in Ukraine would be a great way to celebrate that?
EU commission Vice President was visiting Kyiv a few weeks back and Putin decided to drop a bomb on a residential area of the city.
Launching a missile on the city that’s hosting Eurovision is exactly what he’d do.
Also, I doubt Eurovision is high up in his priorities anyway.
The Russians are very unpredictable and can fire missiles or drop bombs in the West at ANY time, even when there is a big Eurovision event going on!
Or how to politicise the ESC more than it already is. It is time for Ukrainian politicians to give up on the idea of hosting ESC. No one would like a contest to be held in a country devastated with war. It would be irrational and absolutely dangerous. What would they say if people gets attacked or k*lled during it ? Just sorry or blame Russia ? ESC needs to be held elsewhere. Let’s give it to the UK. Period.
Based!
I don’t get why they even insist on it. It’s completely pointless. And I really don’t think the Ukrainian people would appreciate hosting this circus while half of the country is in ruins. Just let Poland or UK do it.
People voted for Ukraine from sympathy votes and now complaining if Ukraine hosts.