The victory of the Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra at Eurovision in May brought pride to a country struggling against Russian invasion. But Ukraine will not organize the next edition of the song contest, which will be held in the United Kingdom in 2023, the British government and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) confirmed on Monday (July 25th).
In June, already, the latter had announced that it could not be held in Ukraine “For safety reasons”. Discussions had been started with the United Kingdom, which had volunteered, and had finished in second place in the competition.
“The BBC have agreed to host the competition next year”confirmed in a press release the British Minister of Culture Nadine Dorries. “This Eurovision is Ukraine’s, and it’s a real privilege and honor for the UK to support our friends.”she added on Twitter.
It’s official. Eurovision is coming to the UK.
This is Ukraine’s Eurovision and it’s an absolute privilege and honor for the UK to be supporting our friends pic.twitter.com/xi3rXu8E2g
—Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) July 25, 2022
In a press release (in English)the EBU assures that the ceremony will include “Ukrainian elements”. “I am confident that together we will manage to add a Ukrainian spirit to this event”valued Mykola Chernotytskyi, boss of Ukrainian public broadcasting, quoted by the EBU.
Expressing her “regret” that Ukraine cannot organize the competition, Tim Davie, the director-general of British public television, promises in the same press release that the ceremony will be “an authentic reflection of Ukrainian culture”.
Ukraine will still automatically qualify for the final of the competition as title contenders, says the EBU. The UK city to host the event, scheduled for May 2023, will be chosen “In the coming months”.