After their huge win in Eurovision 2022, Ukraine is expected to host the European singing event next year.
But, with the ongoing discord between the country and its superpower neighbor Russia, it might seem very unlikely.
To further support their country, Eurovision 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra auctioned their crystal trophy for $900,000 to purchase military equipment.
Is Ukraine Hosting Eurovision 2023?
In the rich history of Eurovision, there is a tradition that the winning country of the year shall be hosting the following year's event in their own key city.
Since Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra won Eurovision 2022, they have become the automatic hosts for the 2023 event. But over the decades, exceptions to the rule were made. Next year, Ukraine will be exempted. (via NME)
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the organizers of Eurovision, the same unit which barred Russia from joining this year because of the Ukraine siege, released a hefty announcement detailing how Ukraine will pass on the hosting duties.
"The decision was guided by the EBU's responsibility to ensure the conditions are met to guarantee the safety and security of everyone working and participating in the event, the planning of which needs to begin immediately in the host country," the statement reads.
Per the EBU, roughly 40,000 people are involved in the production of the continent-wide show, so securing them would be a tall order. The unit claimed that "broadcasting professionals" made the decision, and the move should not be "politicised."
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They also added that any event that the war-torn country will hold is at "severe" risk of air raids/attacks by aircraft or attacks by drones or missiles, which could bring significant casualties.
Although countermeasures could be placed to defend, experts deemed it "insignificant" as the risk level for a mass casualty event because of the ongoing conflict in the area is "high."
Likewise, bordering countries do not also meet the EBU requirements to host the music even either. This is because the specifications of the venues selected lack "necessary surrounding infrastructure."
"When drawing its conclusions, the EBU also took note that, based on our current information, no major international concert tours are visiting Ukraine throughout 2023," the statement continues.
Talks of a substitute host country are already in place. Apparently, the union is in discussion with the United Kingdom to host the 2023 event, considering that Sam Ryder placed second to Kalush, which would make sense.
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