Ukraine secures funding for Eurovision, saving show from possible move

Ukraine has reportedly secured funding for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, amid rumours that huge costs and a lack of adequate finances might stop Kiev from hosting the show.

According to a Facebook post by Ukraine’s Minister of Finance, Oleksandr Danyliuk, to ensure full financing UAH 430 million ($16.5 million) worth of guarantees have been made, with nearly UAH 456 million ($17.5 million) provided for in the country’s 2017 budget.

Negotiations had allegedly been underway regarding the possibility of moving the show to another country, after Kiev failed to provide Eurovision organisers with any financial guarantees.

“There is a real danger that the event may take place in another country. For us it would be a disaster,” Hanna Hopko, Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Affairs, was quoted as saying last month by German newspaper Bild.

Eurovision 2017 was set to take place in Ukraine following the victory of the country’s representative, Jamala, in the 2016 contest with the song 1944. In September, Kiev was selected to host Eurovision, bringing the competition to the Ukrainian capital for the second time.

Source: UNIAN