Voices unite in call to bring Eurovision 2023 to Cardiff
CALLS for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Cardiff are being backed by an eclectic mix of public figures – including a pop star, a cabinet member and a leading broadcaster.
Since it was confirmed that the UK would host the 2023 Eurovision, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, people have begun discussing which part of the UK should host the competition.
Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker – who along with Bobby G, Mike Nolan and Jay Aston triumphed at Eurovision in 1981, winning with their song Making Your Mind Up – yesterday said she wanted to see it take place in the Welsh capital.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Baker, 68, said: “It needs to go to a city where there’s an international airport, where they’ve got a venue that’s big enough, where there are enough hotels, so any one of those would work.
“I think it would be nice if it didn’t go to London although, for me, I live in Kent, I’m half an hour from London. So for me, that will be perfect.
“But would be nice if it went to (a) regional... I fancy Cardiff, I think that would be nice. Like you say, the land of song.”
New Welsh Secretary Robert Buckland also said he backs the calls for Cardiff to host the event.
“I am a fan and I think it would be great to see it here in Wales,” said the Llanelli-born politician.
“There was some talk about Swindon [his constituency] doing it, but I think Cardiff would be a great venue because it’s got the capacity.
“The reality is that only a few places in the UK have the capacity. There has been talk about the Manchester Arena, Glasgow but it seems to me that there’s a consensus it needs to be out of London which is a good start and therefore I think Cardiff definitely needs to be in the running as a major international venue, not just for sporting events, but for cultural events as well.
“We are the land of song after all. I can’t think of a better venue for a
cultural event of this magnitude. We should go for it.” He said that he expects the UK Government would get involved in speaking to the BBC about the host city.
Grant Tucker is the presenter of The Sunday Times’ Culture Show. He tweeted: “The host city has to be Cardiff. The Principality Stadium is one of the best live music venues in the country, and the city has a huge BBC base.
“It’s a travesty it’s not been held in the land of song before. Plus Wales + Ukraine have strong links dating back over a century.”
His thread went on,
“On those strong WelshUkrainian links: “The fifth largest city in Ukraine – now known as Donetsk – was founded by a Welsh ironmaster and migrant workers from South Wales.”
He was referencing industrialist John Hughes who left Merthyr Tydfil to set up a metalworks in the country during the 19th century, with the resulting city initially being named Hughesovska in his honour, before being renamed Donetsk. BBC newsreader Huw Edwards shared Mr Tucker’s tweet saying: “This is so obviously right and your presenter is standing by”. Meanwhile BBC presenter Jason Mohammad tweeted: “We are the Land of Song. No one on the planet sings like us. Bring Eurovision to Cardiff.”
In May, Ukrainian rap-folk band Kalush Orchestra won this year’s contest with their song Stefania.
Britain’s Sam Ryder came second with the song Space Man. It was co-written by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Amy Wadge, who lives in Church Village, near Pontypridd.
A spokesperson for the 74,500-seater Principality Stadium said: “We would relish the opportunity to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 here at Principality Stadium, Cardiff.”
Due to the continuing war in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, it was announced on Monday that the country would not be able to host next year’s contest, and that it would be held in the UK instead.
Sky Bet yesterday had Cardiff as eighth favourites, at 16/1, to host the contest, after Glasgow (6/5), Liverpool (3/1), Manchester (3/1), London (7/1), Birmingham (8/1), Leeds (8/1) and Belfast (12/1).
The Principality Stadium is the only venue in Wales which meets organisers’ requirements.
After the announcement the UK would be hosting the competition rather than Ukraine, Cardiff council’s leader Huw Thomas said: “Cardiff has a global reputation for being a city like no other when it comes to hosting major events. Everyone comments on the atmosphere Cardiff is able to generate and the unique warmth and personality people enjoy when they come here and find a city centre so self-contained and so close to the heart of the action.
“It would be an honour for Cardiff to host Eurovision especially this year when we have welcomed so many Ukrainian refugees to the city. Of course Wales has close connections with Ukraine too, with a longstanding twinning arrangement between Cardiff and Luhansk, whilst Donetsk was founded by John Hughes, a Welshman from Merthyr who went there originally to develop a metal works in the region.
“A successful bid will require a Team Cardiff approach, and the council is working with partners now to understand the full requirements, specifications and the costs involved in putting on Eurovision. We know Cardiff could host a fantastic event and bringing Eurovision to Wales, the land of song, would fit with our Music Strategy and Cardiff’s place as the UK’s first music city. We are excited about getting round the table with our partners to see what can be done.”
The host city has to be Cardiff. The Principality Stadium is one of the best live music venues in the country, and the city has a huge BBC base. It’s a travesty it’s not been held in the land of song before. Plus Wales + Ukraine have strong links dating back over a century
Grant Tucker, presenter of The Sunday Times’ Culture
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