Eurovision shared an update on our city’s bid for the 2023 song contest.
Seven cities have been shortlisted in the United Kingdom for Eurovision Song Contest 2023, but is due to be revealed later this year.
The 2023 contest will be hosted in the UK on behalf of this year’s winning broadcaster, Ukraine’s UA:PBC. As a result of discussions, the BBC, as runner up in the 2022 Contest, was invited by the EBU to act as Host Broadcaster for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.
Last month, Leeds joined Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield in the bid to host the competition.
Read More: Leeds favourite to host Eurovision Song Contest 2023
Ey up! 👋 Leeds is a city bursting with life and cultural energy and a pedigree in hosting huge international events 😉
👉 Find out more about Leeds’ bid to host #Eurovision 2023 here: https://t.co/QILoPAzio1 | @VisitLeeds pic.twitter.com/W8Hqxvoy7I
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) September 3, 2022
Naturally, here in Leeds we’re excited about the prospect of bringing one of Europe’s biggest competitions to the North, and with many Ukrainian artists calling Leeds home, including western rock and Ukrainian folk band, The Ukrainians, who have been performing for 32 years.
The Eurovision Song Contest website has described Leeds as ” city bursting with life and cultural energy, which boasts a vibrant creative community” citing Leeds’ past ability to host major live TV events like Tour de France Grand Depart, the MOBO Awards and BBC Sports Personality of the Year, which have all been delivered from the First Direct Arena.
Additional reasons that have been cited for Leeds to host the Eurovision Song Contest include the existing attraction of Leeds Festival, which brings up to 100,000 people into the city each summer; and the grounding existence of award-winning national theatre and dance companies- and that’s without the mention of the First Direct Arena.
Read More: Leeds has officially been shortlisted as a host city for Eurovision
Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council and Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy and culture, had this to say:
“It goes without saying that Leeds will be bidding to host Eurovision in 2023. Leeds has already proved that it has the capability and capacity to host major international events and ASM Global, the operators of the First Direct Arena, successfully hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in the Avicii Arena in Stockholm in 2016. Given that we will be mid-way through the Leeds 2023 Year of Culture, it could not come at a better time.“
“We are extremely disappointed that Ukraine will be unable to host in 2023, but it would be an honour to host on behalf of them, especially given that West Yorkshire is home to a large number of Ukrainians. If we are successful with our bid, we will be looking to get the local Ukrainian community involved with our plans as much as possible.“
The hosting city will be announced in autumn by the BBC and EBU.
Feature Image- First Direct Arena
