GREECE 🇬🇷
Greek singer Katerine Duska, the country’s representative at the Eurovision 2019 Festival, joined the singer and songwriter Leon of Athens at a concert at the Megaron Garden in Athens, performing an acoustic version of “Better Love”. The song, twenty-first classified in the contest, was composed by Leon of Athens, David Sneddon, Phil Cook and by the singer Katerine.
BULGARIA 🇧🇬
After being advanced that a possible return of Bulgaria to the Eurovision Festival would be discussed after the July elections, the national press advances that the BNT is on the verge of the financial collapse, with the greater volume of debts of the last years. According to a recently released report, the Bulgarian broadcaster’s current debt exceeds 35 million lev (about 18 million euros), about half of the issuer’s annual budget, and the exact amount should be revealed in the coming days, taking into account an internal audit is carried out. However, comparing with the values of the last years, BNT has a rising volume of debts: in 2017, liabilities were 6.8 million lev (3.5 million euros), reaching, at the end of 2018, the value of LE 18 million (EUR 9,2 million). Emil Koshlukov, acting director-general of BNT, declined to comment on the news about BNT’s possible financial collapse. It should be noted that Koshlukov was one of those responsible for the management of BNT in the team of Konstantin Kamenarov, former director general of the station, being one of the official candidates for the July elections.
CYPRUS 🇨🇾
Almost 1,5 hours and ELeni Foureira performed all the hits we know. She even performed her Eurovision guest act LASHA TUMBAI but what left everyone speechless once again was of course, FUEGO.
GEORGIA 🇬🇪
GPB’s state channel confirmed its participation in the 65th Eurovision competition, revealing that its representative will be selected for the second consecutive year through the talent show Georgian Idol. It remains to clarify the start dates of the show and the deadlines for the artists to participate.
EUROVISION 2020 🇳🇱
Dutch public broadcasters NPO, AVROTROS and NOS have notified potential Host Cities with a deadline to present their bids. The following cities and regions that have shown interest to host the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest have until 10 July to present their bid books: Amsterdam, Arnhem, Breda, Den Bosch, Den Haag, Leeuwarden/Friesland, Maastricht/Limburg, Rotterdam and Utrecht. Amongst the criteria are: the venue, capacity, technical facilities, accommodation, infrastructure and reachability. The organisation, consisting of EBU Members NPO, AVROTROS and NOS in coproduction with the EBU, aims to announce the Host City in August 2019. Apart from the cities and regions that have already applied, other interested cities are still able to apply before the deadline. Today, all Dutch cities that have previously applied to become the Host City of the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest will receive the criteria for hosting the event from public broadcasters NPO, AVROTROS and NOS.
SWEDEN 🇸🇪
The artists performing at Allsång på Skansen 2019 have been named. The dates and performing acts are as follows:
June 25th – Astrid S, Carola, John Lundvik, Timbuktu & Damn!
July 2nd – Laleh, Molly Hammar, Owe Thörnqvist, Sandro Cavazza
July 9th – Ana Diaz, Arvingarna, Benjamin Ingrosso, Felix Sandman, Claudia Campagnol
July 16th – Ann-Louise Hanson, Bishara, Lamix, Molly Sandén
July 23rd – Imenella, Sven-Ingvars, Åkervinda
July 30th – Adrian Angelico, Maxida Märak, Orup, Icona Pop
August 6th – Janice, Miriam Bryant, Oscar Stembridge, Philip Jalmelid
August 13th – Gammal, Norlie & KKV
