On Monday, July 25, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced its final decision on the holding of Eurovision 2023 - instead of Ukraine, the guests and participants of the international song contest will be hosted by the United Kingdom.

Following the announcement of this verdict, runner-up Sam Reiter, who represented Britain at Eurovision 2022, posted a video on Instagram* stating that the contest would still be a "Ukrainian party" and that England was simply inviting the country to host it at their home. .

The news about the transfer of the competition to another country caused a lot of discussion - social network users actively express their opinion on various platforms. 

Many fans of the music show are delighted that the event will take place in the UK.

"Oh yeah!

My dream will come true.

Finally, the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in the UK, ”wrote one user.

“The United Kingdom fully deserves to host the competition.

I have no doubt that next year we will see the most spectacular competition in recent years, ”says another blogger.

“The UK came in second, so it's a fair decision.

I hope we will see a wonderful show that expresses support / honors both Ukraine and the UK, ”added another author.

Some enthusiastically write that Eurovision is "coming home" and it's time to buy tickets, as well as speculating about which city the contest might take place in.

However, many greeted the news more coolly.

So, one of the commentators wrote that he was happy to host Eurovision in Britain, but believes that since the country will be just “the venue for their holiday”, Ukraine should pay for the organization.

The user is sure that this will be fair.

There are a lot of negative reviews about the competition in social networks.

One of the bloggers on Twitter directly accused the EBU of bad faith.

He stated that the votes were not real, and the union specifically "chosen" Ukraine as the winner, since Spain would have won in a fair vote.

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There are also those who are fundamentally against holding the contest in a country that did not win the contest, or believe that at least the hosts of the show in 2023 should be from Ukraine.

“The rules clearly state that the winner of the current year is obliged to hold the competition in the next.

If you knew that Ukraine would not have such an opportunity, you should not have allowed it to participate, as this violates the rules.

But the rules seem to be flouted when producers need them.

A pitiful sight, ”the user writes.

“What then was the point of awarding victory to Ukraine?

If you knew that this country, for obvious reasons, would not be able to hold the next contest, ”another blogger was indignant.

“While this is a really sad situation, I think they should allow the Ukrainian hosts to host the event.

In addition, (show. -

RT

) should represent Ukraine culturally, as is done every year.

I hope the Ukrainian aspect does not disappear due to British stubbornness and last year's problems, ”said another writer.

Also, users believe that the UK does not deserve to host the Eurovision Song Contest, as it adheres to “anti-European” views: “A huge “no” to such a host country after Brexit.

We will never support an anti-European country.

Zero points and zero support for the UK."

Some noted the insignificance of this discussion against the backdrop of what is happening in the world.

One blogger said that now there is a special operation, many people cannot pay their bills, and at this time there are disputes about Eurovision.

Recall that at the 2022 competition in Turin, Italy, the first place was taken by the Ukrainian group Kalush Orchestra with the song Stefania.

Traditionally, the country that wins the competition gets the right to host it next year.

However, the rules also provide that in urgent cases this right is transferred to another state.

In June, the European Broadcasting Union decided to move the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 from Ukraine.

The organizers separately stressed that the event is possible only if certain criteria are met, including the safety of all stakeholders.

The organization also noted that the UK has extensive experience in holding the contest.

The United Kingdom has already hosted Eurovision eight times: in London (1960, 1963, 1968 and 1977), Edinburgh (1972), Brighton (1974), Harrogate (1982) and Birmingham (1998).

Minister of Culture of Ukraine Oleksandr Tkachenko said earlier that the country's authorities would demand a revision of the position of the European Broadcasting Union.

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke out in support of Ukraine.

The politician noted that during his last trip to Kyiv, the situation in the city was relatively stable, and added that by 2023 "everything will be fine."

However, music experts considered the EBU's decision absolutely justified, since it is not advisable to risk the safety of spectators and artists.

* Meta product, activity recognized as extremist, banned in Russia by decision of the Tverskoy Court of Moscow dated 03/21/2022.