Eurovision organizers have decided that the “serious” risk of air raids in Ukraine and the “high” risk of mass casualties do not meet the “requirements required to host” a song contest. He said he contributed.
The Ukrainian Kalush Orchestra entry won the contest this year in Turin, Italy. It is traditional for the winning country to host the event the following year.
However, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has concluded that the “security and operational assurance” required to hold the event cannot be fulfilled by the Ukrainian public broadcaster UA: PBC, as a result of a “complete evaluation and feasibility study”. Announced that it was attached.
On Thursday, the EBU said it “fully understands disappointment,” but the decision was “guided” by the responsibility for ensuring safety and security, or by everyone attending the event. “The plan should start immediately on the host. Country.”
“Usually at least 10,000 people, including crew, staff and journalists, are allowed to participate in or participate in the Eurovision Song Contest.
“It is expected that an additional 30,000 fans will travel to this event from all over the world.
“Their welfare is our greatest concern.
“Therefore, it is important that the decisions made in connection with such complex live television events are made by broadcast experts and not politicized.
“The rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, agreed by all participating broadcasters, clearly state that the event can be moved in situations of force majeure, such as an ongoing war.”
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The EBU said Ukraine’s response to the security questionnaire highlighted many risks affecting Eurovision’s immediate plans, including the “serious” risks of air raids and attacks by aircraft, drones and missiles. ..
In addition, the EBU has ordered third-party security advice that determines that measures to mitigate the threat in Ukraine are “insufficient” and that the risk assessment for mass casualties due to ongoing conflicts is “high”. Said that.
The statement continued as follows: “In addition to security concerns, delegations and participants are reluctant to travel to Ukraine due to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine.
“We also noted the comment by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that the war in Ukraine could take years.
“It does not meet ESC requirements regarding the possibility of holding a contest at a border location near a neighboring country, the proposed venue specifications, and the lack of required peripheral infrastructure.
“When drawing conclusions, the EBU also noted that, based on our current information, no major international concert tours have visited Ukraine throughout 2023.
“All this contributes to the EBU’s overall assessment that it does not meet the hosting requirements set out in the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest, in terms of security and operational assurance.”
The EBU concluded that it was decided to move the event to another country and confirmed that discussions were underway to find a “suitable place” for next year’s contest.
