As preparations begin for Eurovision 2023, the city of Brussels has been suggested as a potential host city for next year’s Contest.
How has Brussels been suggested?
Following the declaration by the EBU that Ukraine would not host Eurovision 2023, hosting rights were then offered to runner-up United Kingdom. Initially speculated by the BBC, multiple UK cities announced their intention to host the competition. Major cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow and Brighton threw their hats into the ring, hoping to host the Contest in 2023.
However, soon after talks between the BBC and EBU were confirmed, the British government stipulated that Ukraine should host the Contest. This was reinforced by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as well as Culture Minister Nadine Dorries. Dorries explained on Twitter that as Ukraine won, Ukraine should host Eurovision next year.
Following this, British newspaper The Guardian suggested the possibility of the Belgian capital hosting next year’s competition. No indication has been given whether the EBU is considering this option.
Brussels and its European significance
The idea of Brussels hosting next year’s competition lies within its international perspective. Home to international organisations including the European Union and NATO, proponents believe that Brussels hosting would highlight the European perspective of the competition. In a political aspect, the city would prove to be the centre of Western values including democracy and transparency.
Speaking to the newspaper L’Echo, director-general of Belgium’s French-language broadcaster RTBF, Jean-Paul Philippot said he would discuss the idea with EBU officials in future meetings. However, a spokesperson for the broadcaster said that RTBF, which handled their participation in 2022, is ready to organise the competition in conjunction with Ukraine if asked. Similarly, the City of Brussels Council would support the Contest, should the EBU decide to hold the show outside of either Ukraine or the United Kingdom.
Belgium’s Eurovision history
Belgium was one of the debutant countries at the beginning of the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1956. Back in 1956, countries could submit two songs, and for Belgium that year, ‘Messieurs les noyes de la Seine’ by Fud Leclerc and ‘Le plus beau jour de ma vie’ by Mony Marc represented the nation. To this day we do not know the final results of Eurovision 1956.
Belgium have taken part in every Eurovision Song Contest since 1956; however they have only ever won once; in 1986 with Sandra Kim singing the song ‘J’amie la vie’, scoring 176 points. In 2022, Belgium was represented by Jérémie Makiese with the song “Miss You”. Makiese came 19th scoring 64 points in the Grand Final.
Do you think Brussels would be a good host city? Should the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 be held in Belgium or the UK? Where would you like to see Eurovision 2023 be held? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter as we gear up for Eurovision 2023!
News Source: Lecho.be
Photo Credit: That Eurovision Site
