The 62nd Eurovision song contest is most likely to be held in Kyiv mainly at the expense of budget funds, co-chairman of the Nash Kray party and former first deputy head of Kyiv City State Administration during the UEFA Euro 2012 football championship Oleksandr Mazurchak.
Mazurchak estimates that preparations for the contest will cost 10 million euro, Nash Kray’s official website reported.
“Major expenses will be equipment of the venue of the concern. Neither Kyiv nor the regions have a ready site which would meet conditions of this competition. But the capital has got a better suited infrastructure, so, probably, the Eurovision 2017 grand final may take place here,” Mazurchak.
In his words, practice shows that such events receive up to 10 percent of the funds from sponsors, the rest is covered from the budget. Only 10,000 – 50,000 people will be able to go to the concert as the number of seats is limited, and most of them will be residents of Kyiv and guests from other Ukrainian cities and towns, he said.
Mazurchak stressed the importance and prestige of the Eurovision 2017 finals.
“This will allow Kyiv and Ukraine as a whole to enjoy positive attention. This, as a consequence, will stimulate the development of tourism in future. They think there is war in Ukraine, and it is dangerous in Kyiv. It is therefore important for the government and the city’s authorities to demonstrate the ability to the ensure safety of visitors,” he said.
The authorities will have to make considerable efforts to hold Eurovision at a high level, he added.
