Eurovision 2017 May Move to Moscow

The organizers of the Eurovision song contest now say Ukraine may lose hosting of the coming 2017 contest to Moscow because the Ukrainian authorities face problems organization the event.

Germany’s Bild published a story referring to sources at the organizing committee saying the committee is discussing Moscow replacing Kiev. Ukraine got the right to host the next event with a song by Ukraine’s singer Jamala winning the 2016 event in Stockholm in May. The controversial win, with a song called “1944”, was perceived by many as highly anti-Russian, even propaganda. Head of the Ukrainian parliament’s foreign relations committee Anna Gopko told Bild: “There is a clear threat, the event may take place in a different country. It would be a catastrophe for us.”

Late last month, the acting head of the Ukrainian National television company Alexander Kharebin said the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) had threatened Kiev on the subject over undue bureaucracy, inadequate legislation, and what he termed a dismissive attitude.

The European Broadcasting Union will make a final decision, whether Ukraine will host the competition, at its general assembly due on December 8. Several Ukraine cities bid on hosting the contest, with Kiev winning out. Mayor Vitaly Klichko had promised in September the professional handling of the event, but this week’s news warns of that promise being unfulfilled. Sergey Lazarev’s song “You Are the Only One” was edged out of the Eurovision 2016 win narrowly, largely on the merits of a new system set in place by the contest. Though Chocolate has been suggested, there’s a groudswell of support for Serebro entering the much deeper song Slomana (Сломана), or Broken below.

The last time Russia won Eurovision was in 2008 with the Dima Bilan song Believe. Favorites for Russia this coming year include; Nyusha, Paulina Gagareva with Navek, the group Serebro and Chocolate, but a longshot favorite is Sergey Lazarev appearing again, perhaps with the catchy tune below.