The organizers of the "Eurovision" music contest have ruled out the usual format of the event in 2021 and are now deciding on which scenario the contest will take place.
This is stated in the press release, published today, February 3, on the website of the contest organizers.
"In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the European Broadcasting Union, the leading Dutch broadcasting companies NPO, NOS and AVROTROS, as well as the city of Rotterdam, have ruled out that the 65th competition can be held as usual in 2021," the message states. "Eurovision" will definitely take place in May of this year, despite the pandemic, but in the current circumstances, unfortunately, it is impossible to hold the event as we are used to," said the executive director of "Eurovision", Martyn Osterdal.
At the same time, he added that the health and safety of all participants in the music competition is the main priority for the organizers. "We are closely following events in the world and continue to study and plan the three revised scenarios (of holding the contest), which were first announced last fall," Osterdahl said.
However, as specified by the organizers, they will focus their efforts on the implementation of the second scenario of the event, according to which all participants will need to observe social distance. In addition, if performers cannot attend the competition in person due to the pandemic, they will be able to use pre-prepared live recordings of their performances. The artists who will come to the Netherlands will perform live on stage. Events in Rotterdam will be held in accordance with the established safety requirements.
Note that the 65th Eurovision Song Contest was supposed to take place from May 12 to 16, 2020, in the Ahoy concert hall in Rotterdam. But on March 18, the European Broadcasting Union decided to cancel the contest due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Eurovision 2021 final will be held on May 22 in Rotterdam
