Ukraine won't be hosting Eurovision next year as UK switch confirmed
London, UK - Ukraine is handing Eurovision 2023 hosting duties to Britain, despite winning this year's event, due to the ongoing danger caused by Russia's invasion, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced on Monday.
The UK came second in the famous song contest, so the EBU opened talks with the BBC, according to the public broadcaster.
"We’re exceptionally grateful that the BBC has accepted to stage the Eurovision Song Contest in the UK in 2023," said Martin Österdahl, the Eurovision Song Contest’s executive supervisor, in a statement issued by the EBU.
"The BBC has taken on hosting duties for other winning countries on four previous occasions. Continuing in this tradition of solidarity, we know that next year’s contest will showcase the creativity and skill of one of Europe’s most experienced public broadcasters whilst ensuring this year’s winners, Ukraine, are celebrated and represented throughout the event," he said.
Mykola Chernotytskyi, who heads Ukraine's public broadcaster UA:PBC, confirmed the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest would not take place in Ukraine, but will still be in support of the country.
"We are grateful to our BBC partners for showing solidarity with us. I am confident that together we will be able to add Ukrainian spirit to this event and once again unite the whole of Europe around our common values of peace, support, celebrating diversity and talent," Chernotytskyi said, according to the EBU statement
Representatives from UA:PBC will work with the BBC to develop and implement the Ukrainian elements of next year’s shows.
Ukraine, whose Kalush Orchestra won the contest in Turin, Italy, this year with the song Stefania, will also automatically qualify for the upcoming contest's grand final.
Cover photo: Marco BERTORELLO / AFP