Protests rattle Eurovision Song Contest prep in Kyiv
February 14, 2017
Following the first round of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in 2005, Ukrainians are proud that they may give it a second go this year in Kyiv. The city's mayor, ex-boxing world champ Vitali Klitschko, believes that music can unite people. That is "particularly important for Ukraine," he said as the assignment of participants for the semi-final was announced. But now there's trouble on the horizon, and some are even uttering the word "failure."
Twenty-one Ukrainian ESC organizers have resigned from their posts in protest of their boss, Pavlo Grytsak. They have criticized Grytsak - two months into his job as deputy general director of NTU, Ukraine's national television broadcaster, which is to air the competition - of slacking off in making event decisions and calls for tenders.
The protestors published their announcement on Facebook on Monday. ESC Executive Producers Victoria Romanova and Oleksandr Kharebin have also resigned.
37 countries to compete in ESC
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the song competition, was unruffled in response. It thanked the resigning organizers for their work, but also asked that Ukraine step up quickly with replacements.
Remaining organizers have said that the ESC will go ahead as planned, will the final competition to air on May 13. Tickets are schedule to go on sale on Tuesday, February 14.
so/als/kbm (dpa, ESC)