The Eurovision Song Contest will certainly not look like the presence of participating artists and audience this year as it did during the previous editions. On Wednesday, the organization finally put an end to a traditional scenario, although it keeps options open to scale up here and there.
These were the four scenarios
- Scenario A: all artists come to the Netherlands, the hall is full of audience and visitors do not have to keep their distance
- Scenario B: all artists come to the Netherlands, but 1.5 meters in the audience must be taken into account. This means less space in the room, but also for the press and delegations
- Scenario C: not all artists can come to the Netherlands, participants can perform from their own country
- Scenario D: all artists perform from their own country
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The organization of the Eurovision Song Contest now focuses on scenario B, but emphasizes that flexibility is important. Scaling down further to scenarios C and D remains an option, as is scaling up options where possible. A final decision on the presence of the public will be taken in mid-April.
“Our ambition is scenario B: a Eurovision edition at 1.5 meters, with sharp corona measures whereby all 41 artists can perform in Rotterdam Ahoy”, said Sietse Bakker, executive producer of the Dutch Songfestival organization during the press conference.
When asked, Bakker tells NU.nl that there is an arrangement for artists, just like for top athletes, so that they can travel to the Netherlands. It is therefore not necessary to choose scenario D now. “It can be done safely and as long as we can, we will always try to go for the best scenario. That is not at any cost: at the moment scenario B can be done in a responsible way, if that changes, we will change with it. But I think that it is especially important now to offer perspective and to look at what is possible. “
In the scenario that the organization now maintains, the 41 participating countries can travel to Rotterdam for the semi-finals on 18 and 20 May and the final on 22 May.
Ticket holders receive a special code when public is possible
All shows were already sold out last year, but due to the changed circumstances, it cannot be guaranteed that there is space for everyone in the hall. The organization has therefore decided to start reimbursing all ticket holders from February. The ticket holders receive a unique code that gives exclusive access to tickets, should they still be admitted to the public. Due to the corona measures, it has already been said that there is no option for pitches.
The organization is now in discussions with various cinema chains about the possibility of broadcasting the semifinals and final in cinemas. That, of course, also depends on the current corona measures.
On behalf of the Netherlands, Jeangu Macrooy is competing for the win at the Eurovision Song Contest this year. The singer will soon announce which song Grow will be replaced, as all participating songs from 2020 are excluded.
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