Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC has revealed that the public will choose their jury for Eurovision 2023. The public will be able to nominate candidates to be on the jury. Any member of the public may be put forward for this nomination. The chairman of UA:PBC Mykola Chernotytskyi has revealed this is a response to the voting irregularities by several national juries this year.
UA:PBC statement about 2023 jurors
“The public has expressed dissatisfaction with this year’s jury. From next year, we will launch an open call for jury members. All citizens who wish will be able to offer their candidacy, which, in their opinion, shows experience in this area. We will vote on the website and agree on the candidacies with the EBU. In the end, a professional jury will be formed to vote for the Eurovision finalists next year.”
Mykola Chernotytskyi’s statement on the jury process for 2023.
The Ukrainian public had also expressed displeasure towards the jury for their rankings of Poland’s entry. This has led to an uptick of hateful comments towards the jury members and also to the spokesperson Kateryna Pavlenko.
Ukraine’s Eurovision journey
Ukraine is one of the most successful countries to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. The country has scored eight top-five placements, with an extra three top-ten finishes. Ukraine won the Contest in 2004 with Ruslana’s “Wild Dances” and again in 2016 with Jamala’s “1944”. Jamala’s win made history for Ukraine, as it became the first ex-Soviet country to win the Contest more than once.
In 2022, Kalush Orchestra represented Ukraine in the 66th edition of the Contest with their song “Stefania”. The band scored 631 points, finishing in first place, marking Ukraine’s third victory.
What do you make of the preparations Ukraine are making to host Eurovision 2023? What do you think of this new juror approach? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok as we begin the road to Eurovision 2023!
News Source: UA:PBC
Photo Source: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett
Rory Gannon