THE NETHERLANDS – While we are al expecting the City of Rotterdam to confirm today the hosting of the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest edition, the extra funding of 6,7 million Euros needed, seems to be in question.
Rotterdam Socialist Party is not agreeing to give extra funds to the City of Rotterdam for the hosting needs of the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. The Party is arguing that this money should be given to fight poverty or cultural support of the country in the aftermath of the pandemic crisis striking the country.
Party leader Aart Van Zevenbergen argues that the Dutch organisers should not be so enthusiastic about Eurovision 2021 hosting because they will have to get full support from the national health organisation in order to allow such an event to be organised in the country with the presence of an audience.
There is already a big question how the fans across Europe will fly over to Rotterdam while there is no reassurance that there will be enough resources to fight the virus in case a vaccine is not yet available.
Aart Van Zevenbergen concludes by saying that there will be far more bigger issues risen after the pandemic crisis is over and Eurovision 2021 should not be one that needs to be addressed by extra funding.
In the meantime, Dutch media are reporting that the Dutch government and national broadcasters involved in the project have not confirmed funding of the contest from their part.