|
While decades-long tradition dictates that the
winner of the contest gets to host it the following year, the
European Broadcasting Union (EBU) had said safety and security
reasons meant runners-up Britain were instead invited to host.
The BBC will now stage the event, which normally draws a
television audience of close to 200 million and was last held in
Britain in 1998. Ukraine will automatically qualify to the grand
final of the competition, the EBU said.
"It is a matter of great regret that our colleagues and friends
in Ukraine are not able to host the 2023 Eurovision Song
Contest," BBC Director-General Tim Davie said in a statement.
"The BBC is committed to making the event a true reflection of
Ukrainian culture alongside showcasing the diversity of British
music and creativity."
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said last month he believed
Ukraine could and should host the 2023 competition.
Johnson said on Twitter he had agreed last week with Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that "wherever Eurovision 2023 is
held, it must celebrate the country and people of Ukraine."
"As we are now hosts, the UK will honour that pledge directly –
and put on a fantastic contest on behalf of our Ukrainian
friends," Johnson, who has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine,
added.
Britain's entry to this year's Eurovision contest in Italy in
May came second behind Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra, which rode a
wave of public support to claim an emotional victory.
The BBC said it would now begin the process of finding a city to
host the event.
(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar, Editing by Kylie MacLellan)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.]
|
|
