In an interview with Swiss newspaper Blick one of the directors of Eurovision 2024 and 2013, Karin Karlsson, gives her thoughts and advice to the organisers of next year’s edition of the contest.
Advice to the organisers
In the interview Karin highlighted that she had been contacted by organisers behind the Genevan bid to host the contest and sought her advice and the experiences she had from creating both shows. Her main advice centred around the idea of interconnectivity in the vision for what they want to create; rather than focusing on dispirit ideas for what they want to do with the contest. She also highlighted the advantage that smaller cities have in hosting the contest; allowing much shorter journeys between venues and transport. Karin emphasised that such interconnectivity should be a focus in creating a good atmosphere for the fans from around the world travelling to the show.
The issue of security
The issue of security was raised in the interview where Karin stressed that they had not anticipated the terror threat level when they first were awarded the contest. The heightened security did see the organisers drastically scale back the Eurovision village when compared to when the city hosted in 2013 to allow them to be in greater control of the situation.
She reveals that she believes that a similar security situation is something that the Swiss organisers will have to deal with next year too; and in doing so raised how integral cyber security preparations were for Malmö.
Tourist boom
Later in the interview the topic of tourism arose, where Karin felt in the early days of the contest things were not going well due to the low numbers of tourists, but such feelings dissipated with the large influx later on. She stressed that it was too early to tell the full effects to tourism on the city but did note that some major venues such as the hotel and conference centre hosting the opening ceremony boasting significant returns.
All About Eurovision 2025
Switzerland will be hosting the 69th edition of the competition following Nemo’s historic win at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö. A few weeks after their win, Reto Peritz, and Moritz Stadler, was announced as the Executive Producers, with the other roles revealed in July 2024.
Basel, Bern & Biel/Bienne, Geneva, and Zurich submitted bids to host next year’s competition, with Basel and Geneva being shortlisted and still in the running to be the Eurovision 2025 Host City The final decision as to who will be hosting next year’s comeptition will be revealed on the 30th August by SRG SSR and the EBU.
What advice do you think was given? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we start our preparations for Eurovision 2025!
Source: Blick
Image Credit: SSR SRG
Rory Gannon 
Giwrgos Oiko