It’s customary for the country that wins Eurovision to host the international songwriting competition the following year. But the winning country usually isn’t …
It’s customary for the country that wins Eurovision to host the international songwriting competition the following year. But the winning country usually isn’t defending itself in war at the same time. That’s the case for Ukraine, whose folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra won the contest last month. Frontman Oleh Psiuk told NPR right before the final, as Russia’s war continued to devastate the country, that he was confident that a “rebuilt, whole and happy” Ukraine would be able to host Eurovision 2023 if it were to win. Sadly, a panel of public broadcasters and security experts have reached a different conclusion. The European Broadcasting Union which operates Eurovision — announced on Friday that it is not a viable option for Ukraine to host next year’s contest.
