Kalush Orchestra, a Ukrainian rap act, gave a huge morale boost to the war-torn country last month by racing to victory in the Eurovision Song Contest – the world’s most watched and glitzy song contest.
That win, with the song ‘Stefania’, meant that Ukraine also got the right to host the next match, which is scheduled for May 2023. But the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest announced on Friday that that would not be possible.
The organizers, the European Broadcasting Union, said in a press release it concluded “with great regret” that Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine meant that Ukraine could not provide “the security and operational guarantees” necessary to host the event. , in which musicians representing countries from all over Europe compete against each other for points.
The European Broadcasting Union said it would instead begin talks with the BBC about hosting the event in Britain, as Britain’s Sam Ryder came second in last month’s competition.
The BBC confirmed in an emailed statement that it would participate in those discussions. “Obviously,” it said, “these are not circumstances anyone would want.”
Wherever the event is staged, Kalush Orchestra will likely be on display. “Our full intention is that Ukraine’s victory be reflected in next year’s shows,” said the European Broadcasting Union. “This will be a priority for us in our discussions with the eventual hosts,” it added.
Kalush Orchestra did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ukraine has held it twice before, most recently in 2017.