Ukraine Kalush Orchestra Stefania Eurovision 2022
EBU / Andres Putting

Ukraine has formed an organising committee to host Eurovision 2023 in the country next year.

The country that counts Ruslana, Jamala and Kalush Orchestra as its Eurovision winners started its song contest preparations on 10 June. This was almost a month after Kalush Orchestra proved victorious in Turin with their song “Stefania”. The rap folk fusion gained a total of 631 points, including a record-breaking 439 points from the televoting public. This is what you call a landslide.

In a Telegram message on June 10, Taras Melnychuk, the Permanent Representative of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to the parliament of Ukraine, announced that an organising committee for Eurovision 2023 had been formed and approved. 

The composition and size of the organising committee remains under wraps for now, but is expected to be revealed at a later stage. 

Earlier, Ukraine’s Minister of Culture and Information Oleksandr Tkachenko said that he is confident that the country will host Eurovision 2023. Speaking at the Ukraine Media Centre, he said: 

“We have no doubt that it should take place in Ukraine. The only thing is that no one has held Eurovision during the war… We are now looking for answers with colleagues to the most important conditions set by the EBU, but I think we will have to explain that some conditions need to be changed.”

After winning the contest in May, Ukraine won the right to host the following Eurovision. The country recently hosted the contest in the capital Kyiv in 2017, but matters have obviously been complicated by Russia’s ongoing war. 

EBU Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl officially offered the right to host to Ukraine’s head of delegation Oksana Skybinska during the winner’s press conference back in May. There, he added that the broadcaster could always come to the EBU in case they had questions. 

Since then, Suspilne CEO Mykola Chernotytskyi has added that the broadcaster has the full intention to host the next edition of the contest

 

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ESCfan
ESCfan
1 year ago

Europe showed its solidarity with Ukraine with this Eurovision win and we all hope the war will come to an end as soon as possible to stop the terrible suffering that’s going on. I’m reluctant to say it but, in the end, I really don’t hink the Eurovision should be held held their next year. The safety of the fans, audience and participants is paramount and I think it would be a great idea for the Ukranian broadcaster to host it jointly with the UK in a British city. “Eurovision in the “UK”raine” and the sentiment of solidarity will continue… Read more »

Chris Nand
Chris Nand
1 year ago
Reply to  ESCfan

Hello , we have a appropriate song to suit the eurovision song contest for 2023 for Ukraine that we would like you to checkout on YouTube . Song titled: ” the eyes of the world ” by Marcus Nand. This song is capable of winning for Ukraine and generate funds to rebuild the country.
Yours sincerely
Chris Nand.

MonsieurMüller
MonsieurMüller
1 year ago

Paren esto por favor. Hacer Eurovisión 2023 en Ucrania es una idea descabellada. Hay prioridades y la primera de ellas es que el país esté en paz y su ciudadanía esté a salvo. Están obstinados en ser los anfitriones por un tema de orgullo, pero no quieren ver los riesgos. Además, si se hace en Ucrania, Eurovisión 2023 inevitablemente tendrá un tono y sabor políticos. Dejen de perder tiempo y que el Reino Unido, España o por último Polonia (que ahora es como el segundo hogar de Ucrania) realicen este gran evento.

Lambert
Lambert
1 year ago

Special situation asks for unconventional measures. Have Ukraine host the event in Ukraine, but have the performances decentralized, i.e. online in the respective 40+ home countries. Make the theme related to the situation. Show solidarity and unity.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

“Let the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, begin!!!”

Immediately gets blown up by an explosive bomb dropped by the Russians.

Hebbo
Hebbo
1 year ago

The whole notion of Ukraine hosting this indiginously is utterly, utterly stupid, foolhardy and downright delusional. Millions of refugees are displaced across Europe and the death toll mounts DAILY. Martin Osterdhal and his time need to pull their fingers out of their behinds and stop this in its tracks right now. NOBODY wants to go to a country at war.

Tomi
Tomi
1 year ago

I thought so too before Kalush won, but now I’m not so sure anymore. Despite the tragic situation they find themselves in, the Ukrainians still seem very keen on hosting next year. It’ll all depend on when this damned war is going to end… The EBU will wait, maybe as late as September, and if the war ends, the Ukrainians will have their way.

Meckie
Meckie
1 year ago

ESC 2023 could be filled with lots of songs about war, peace, losing homes, etc.

GKWHO
GKWHO
1 year ago

Excuse me… Ukraine is planning on hosting a eurovision worth of millions of dollars, while the Ukrainian people don’t have food and homes to live? Insane… What has eurovision become?

Meckie
Meckie
1 year ago
Reply to  GKWHO

Eurovision has become a huge positive propaganda show for political reasons.

Samo
Samo
1 year ago
Reply to  GKWHO

What makes you think they don’t have food? Food supplies are an issue in occupied territories, not in ones controlled by Kyiv.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

I think it was irresponsible and more than a little disingenuous for the EBU to have offered host rights on the night of the final.

Tomi
Tomi
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I fully agree with you.

Kredential
Kredential
1 year ago

I’m sure Ukraine has much more pressing things to spend money on than the delusional thought they will be able to host Eurovision. The EBU needs to be realistic and honest and tell Ukraine that it’s not happening.

Kim
Kim
1 year ago

If Ukraine does host, how many broadcasters will send representatives? How much will the insurance premium be to send delegates to a war zone? Who will pick that expense up – the EBU or the broadcaster?

Oleh
Oleh
1 year ago
Reply to  Kim

How much was it in 2017? Or in 2013 for Junior Eurovision, a few kilometers from the revolutionary battles? And what is the country you think Putin will decide to drop his nuclear bomb on? Nobody knows, however most experts say it will not be Ukraine. Can it be the one you think should host ESC in 2023?

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
1 year ago

Well it’s pretty obvious the EBU would never consent to eurovision being held in a warzone so no worries about that. They’ll probably choose another city in cooperation with the ukrainian organising committee around the end of august/ september

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago

What EBU waits for? Are they acting to be blind or what? The host country should be decided and confirmed during July to be able to start preparations for Eurovision 2023 on time.

Oleh
Oleh
1 year ago

The war will definitely end in September 2022 or before, if Putin dies of cancer or something else. No time will need to be lost on finding the right place, as no new arena with sufficient capacity was built since 2017, so the choice will be again between the IEC, now expanded, so theat it may either have more seats or house the Euroclub, or the Palace of Sports, both in Kiev.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago
Reply to  Oleh

Even if it ends in September it will be too late to start preparations for Eurovision 2023.

Oleh
Oleh
1 year ago
Reply to  Eurovision fan

What do you mean? In 2017, Kiev was chosen on September 9 following the stupid “battle of cities” that is absolutely unnecessary this time. When I say “September” I mean that by that time the front line will have moved back more or less to where it was in 2017. And if we speak about where putin will decide to drop his atomic bomb, if he does, most experts say it will not be Ukraine

dygh
dygh
1 year ago
Reply to  Oleh

What on earth are you on

Hebbo
Hebbo
1 year ago
Reply to  Oleh

Get it firmly into your head- it will not happen in Ukraine. NOBODY wants to go to a country at war.

dygh
dygh
1 year ago

I wish they could host, but I think it won’t be as beneficial like it would have been in peace time. Eurovision is a huge investment but it also gives money in return in forms of tourism. Tourism in Ukraine is non-existent and it might be like that for multiple years to come. Therefore I think the cost isn’t worth the benefits. On the other hand, it sends a signal to the international community and Russia, but how much is a signal worth and how would that benefit the Ukranians? I kinda don’t care where it will end up, it’s… Read more »

Oleh
Oleh
1 year ago
Reply to  dygh

It WILL be in peace time, in May 2023

Hebbo
Hebbo
1 year ago
Reply to  Oleh

You are utterly delusional, just like the Ukrainian organising committee.

vetrina
vetrina
1 year ago

I think that EBU is just losing time, we all know Ukraine won’t host next year!

Rósa
Rósa
1 year ago

I think hosting the event itself physically IN Ukraine next year is not feasible, nor to anyone’s benefit. HOWEVER, that does not mean Ukraine cannot bring most other things to the table. A lot of Ukrainians are not at home, are not able to get work or a safe place to stay. How about giving some of those people some of those things, at least temporarily, in a country willing to offer them a location and venue to do so? All those behind-the-scenes jobs: tech, hosting, service etc… Use Ukrainian talent as hosts, highlight their music, culture and history in… Read more »

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
1 year ago

This is exciting. I hope we really get to see Ukraine hosting the show in home soil. The fact that they have hosted it twice in recent years helps too.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

I think they will take their time (EBU has given them a deadline obviously) to see if they can do it under the current circumstances and provide a proposal with the city and the venue etc etc to EBU. EBU will reject or accept. Of course there will be terms and conditions, guarantees for safety etc etc. A lot of stuff behind the scenes. In the end obviously Ukraine won’t host as we already know but what’s wrong with you people to just let them try and see if there’s a slim chance to host a safe Eurovision. It’s not… Read more »

Hebbo
Hebbo
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

Poland wont be hosting anything given the recent voting fiasco.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

They won’t withdraw but EBU will not take the risk of giving the green light for Ukraine to host.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

Everyone said the same thing when the contest was confirmed to be held in Israel.

As we all know, that didn’t happen. Just like it won’t happen if Ukraine hosts.

Darren
Darren
1 year ago

Of course they went to host “so badly”. When your nation and ethnicity is under an existential threat, hosting something like a Eurovision would be great morale boost and a boost for national pride and unity, while also being a kick in the face to Putin.
So I totally get why they want to host.
But the reality is, just now, they simply can’t.

Darren
Darren
1 year ago

It’s optimistic but I definitely can’t see Ukraine hosting Eurovision next year. It’s impossible to think about. Of course I wish they could. But c’mon this war is nowhere near ending. And although the war is mainly focused in the Donbas and the south around Kherson, the major cities in the North and the West are still u see threat from air strikes. Airspace is closed and will remain closed until the war is over, so what? Delegations should arrive in Kyiv or Lviv on a train from Poland wearing bulletproof vest with tonnes of security guards? If Putin does… Read more »

ILPIESC
ILPIESC
1 year ago

And maybe there will be some withdrawals because of safety

Alex
Alex
1 year ago
Reply to  ILPIESC

they won’t withdraw because that would be deemed as anti=Ukrainian

ILPIESC
ILPIESC
1 year ago

Broadcasters will have only 2 points in the requirements about looking for contestant:
1) you must have a song
2) you will accept the danger od being hit by a Rocket when you will performing your song

Im so fab
Im so fab
1 year ago

Jesus Christ, I miss the times where we had 5 articles a day about Destiny, and not this mess.

Darren
Darren
1 year ago
Reply to  Im so fab

I honestly prefer these articles to the Destiny spamming of 2021, not going to lie.

Doris
Doris
1 year ago
Reply to  Im so fab

OK, wasn’t Malta desperate to host these last years ? So Maybe they can pull an offer to host. Maybe their only chance to host.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago
Reply to  Doris

Do you understand that countries are only willing to host if they win? What’s the point of wasting money for another country’s victory? In the 70s there were like 12 countries, not it’s 40 countries and 3 live shows, endless rehearsals etc.

Tomi
Tomi
1 year ago
Reply to  Doris

Excellent idea! Malta is a lovely place.

Nikki
Nikki
1 year ago

Look, I wholeheartedly support Ukraine, and I admire their courage and determination…but it ain’t happening. The sooner they recognise it, the better. They need to focus on reconstruction, freedom and safety before anything else. No broadcaster in Europe would say no to a Ukrainian tasting contest on their soil. Let’s pick up a place, contact the Ukrainian community in the nearby area to help organise it, send the hosts and it’ll be OK, safe and fun.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago
Reply to  Nikki

it’s their right to try and see if they can host it. Yes, they won’t but it does not harm to try and see the logistics along with EBU. I am sure EBU has already asked UK/Spain/Netherlands/Sweden to book arenas.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
1 year ago
Reply to  Nikki

We don’t need such mess. If Ukraine can’t host they can’t, and the other willing country will take the responsibility. Co-hosting only counts if Australia wins.

Nobody Important
Nobody Important
1 year ago

If I was Ukrainian, I would be incredibly upset that the money is being wasted on a silly contest instead of using to, you know, actually rebuild the country.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

Silly contest is your life. Eurovision is the biggest TV show. Yes, it\s not a wise to spend money on hosting a big event at the moment but no need to call it a silly contest.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

This is Ukraine’s top priority. Zelensky stated countless times that he needs Ukraine to be on people’s minds, he won’t let Ukraine turn into another Georgia, Syria or Yemen. For Ukraine to be fresh on people’s minds, he needs to host in Ukraine.

Whoever says Ukraine needs to ‘rebuild their country and invest in infrastructure’ are only looking at this from a surface level, they need to stop.

ete sech
ete sech
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

That sounds pretty negligent if you ask me

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  ete sech

Tell that to the Ukrainian government?

They have a better understanding of this situation than any of us.

Gekko
Gekko
1 year ago

Give yourself some time. You need it. Don’t waste money for something with no priority. Rebuild your country, invest capital into infrastructure and then you can host on your 4th win.

Mark
Mark
1 year ago

I think it’s incredible reckless to everyone’s safety to have the contest in a country that is currently partially occupied. Also, all those funds to host the contest should be put into the War effort. It’s insane to me that they care more about hosting Eurovision than they do winning back their sovereignty.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark

Georgia was partially occupied when they hosted Junior Eurovision in 2017. You could also say Azerbaijan was partially occupied when they hosted in 2012. Serbia was in serious unrest when they hosted in 2008, Kosovo literally declared independence 3 months prior and clashes were ongoing. When Ukraine hosted in 2017, the Donbas was in chaos too. The city of Lviv is doing well, and the Ukrainian government will make it their goal to prove that to the EBU. Whether you agree with Ukraine hosting or not, they won’t go down without a fight to prove they can host. Things will… Read more »

mens infirma
mens infirma
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

yeah no, partial occupation is literally not the same as a full-out war

Emmo
Emmo
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

Could Lviv even host it? In 2017 their bid was to use a football stadium which would need a roof and an unfinished basketball arena. Plus there’s the other criteria needed, certain amount of hotel rooms, access to local airport, safety for visitors. Lviv would probably be the best choice at the moment but I can’t see it happening.

The only way Ukraine will host it in 2023 if it’s done without an audience.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  Emmo

Yes, Ukraine would need funding to temporarily (or permanently) roof the Arena Lviv.

Lviv has an international airport, it’s connected to Poland, Hungary and Slovakia by railway. Lviv has all the criterea needed to host Eurovision in terms of accomodation and access to airports/railways.

Darren
Darren
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

Lviv airport is unusable while airspace is closed, for you know, safety reasons, because of like, you know, air strikes, because of you know, the current ongoing war.
Nobody wants the threat of another MH17 on their hands.
Nearest usually airport would be Krakow or Rzeszow in Poland and taking the train into Ukraine.
Not feasible.
Not to mention the threat of Russian and Chechen saboteurs crossing the border under the guise of eurofans.
It’s all too risky.

Oleh
Oleh
1 year ago
Reply to  Thallo

Who will fund that roof just for one event? To be able to host ESC some day, not in 2023, Lviv has to demolish the unfinished arena in Kulparkivska and rebuild it with a bigger capacity

willchrisiam
willchrisiam
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark

I used to share your opinion until about a month ago. It’s sad and scary to see how quickly people moved on and just accepted the situation as the new norm. Yes, that would be a huge amount of money that could be used for rebuilding the country but if we look at it from a PR perspective it’s not really that much. Ukraine needs all the press right now so people can hold their governments accountable and not let their leaders soften their position on Russia. They are still making hundreds of millions per day because Germany refuses to… Read more »