There has been a call for Belfast to host the Eurovision Song Contest after Ukraine is deemed unable to host the event.
Belfast councillors Anthony Flynn and Seamas De Faoite have written to the Chief Executives of Belfast City Council and Visit Belfast saying that the city should be considered as a host for Eurovision if it is to be held in the UK next year.
The European Broadcasting Union has said that it will start discussions with the BBC following the announcement that recent winners Ukraine are unable to hold the event, as the UK was the runner-up with singer Sam Ryder.
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The Green Party and SDLP councillors have said that Belfast is already well equipped to host Eurovision in their letter and said that it is time for the city to "take centre stage".
They said: "We are writing to you to urge that Belfast city council and Visit Belfast plays a full part in promoting Belfast as the UK destination for hosting Eurovision 2023.
"Belfast is already well equipped to host an event like Eurovision, with the appropriate venue capacity and accommodation available, as well as transport links around the city and beyond.
"The Eurovision song contest is watched by millions of fans around the world and host countries often use the opportunity to promote their countryside, towns and cities beyond the host city limits, so not only would this be a huge opportunity for Belfast, but also for the whole of Northern Ireland to be shown off on the world stage.
"Belfast already has a successful history of hosting large global events, such as the Giro d’Italia in 2014 or the MTV EMA awards in 2011.
"We believe it is time for Belfast to take centre stage again in 2023, and we can get Douze points!"
In a statement today, the EBU said that due to the war with Russia, Ukraine would be unable to host Eurovision even though it is traditionally hosted by the previous year's winners.
It said: "Following their win at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in May the EBU has been exploring options for the hosting of next year’s competition with Ukraine’s public broadcaster UA:PBC, who previously staged the event in 2017 and 2005.
"It has become a well-known tradition that the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest hosts the competition the following year, providing certain criteria including ensuring the viability of staging the event and the safety of all stakeholders, including the public, are met.
"Given the ongoing war since the Russian invasion of this year’s winning country, the EBU has taken the time to conduct a full assessment and feasibility study with both UA:PBC and third-party specialists including on safety and security issues.
"The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the most complex TV productions in the world with thousands working on, and attending, the event and 12 months of preparation time needed.
"Following objective analysis, the Reference Group, the ESC’s governing board, has with deep regret concluded that, given the current circumstances, the security and operational guarantees required for a broadcaster to host, organize and produce the Eurovision Song Contest under the ESC Rules cannot be fulfilled by UA:PBC.
"The EBU would like to thank UA:PBC for their wholehearted cooperation and commitment in exploring all scenarios in the weeks since Kalush Orchestra’s win on 14 May in Turin and share their sadness and disappointment that next year’s Contest cannot be held in Ukraine.
"The EBU has been supporting UA:PBC across a whole range of areas since the invasion. We will ensure that this support continues so UA:PBC can maintain the indispensable service they provide to Ukrainians.
"As a result of this decision, in accordance with the rules and to ensure the continuity of the event, the EBU will now begin discussions with the BBC, as this year’s runner up, to potentially host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in the United Kingdom.
"It is our full intention that Ukraine’s win will be reflected in next year’s shows. This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts.”
What do you think? Would it be a huge boost for the entire region? Let us know in the comments section below?
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