Eurovision 2020 song contest canceled over coronavirus
The Ahoy Rotterdam convention center. Image: AFP/Robin Utrecht
The 2020 Eurovision Song Contest scheduled for May in Rotterdam has been canceled for the first time in the event’s 64-year history due to the coronavirus outbreak, organizers said Wednesday.
Broadcasters are now in talks with the Dutch port city for it to host the event — a glitzy pageant of songs that has millions of viewers across Europe and further afield — in 2021, they said.
“It is with deep regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam,” the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said in a statement.
“Over the past few weeks we have explored many alternative options to allow the Eurovision Song Contest to go ahead,” it added.
“However, the uncertainty created by the spread of COVID-19 throughout Europe — and the restrictions put in place by the governments of the participating broadcasters and the Dutch authorities — means the EBU has taken the difficult decision that it is impossible to continue with the live event as planned.”
Article continues after this advertisementEurovision is the latest in a series of high-profile cultural and sporting events to be cancelled because of coronavirus, including the Euro 2020 football championships and Britain’s Glastonbury music festival.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Netherlands won the right to host Eurovision after Dutch singer Duncan Laurence stormed to victory in last year’s contest in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, and Rotterdam was named as the host city in August.
A total of 65,000 people had been expected to attend nine different shows including the final on May 16 at Rotterdam’s Ahoy venue. Organizers said they and Rotterdam authorities “will continue a conversation regarding the hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021.”
“We are very proud that the Eurovision Song Contest has united audiences every year, without interruption, for the past 64 years and we, like the millions of fans around the world, are extremely saddened that it cannot take place in May,” they added.
Europe has become the epicenter of COVID-19 with more than 3,400 deaths now recorded, according to an Agence France-Presse tally, surpassing the number in Asia.
The Netherlands has itself recorded 58 deaths and 2,051 cases in total. RGA
RELATED STORIES:
Netherlands wins Eurovision as Madonna dancers spark flag controversy
France’s Louvre and Palace of Versailles shut by coronavirus
For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.
