Ukraine’s Eurovision Song Contest win earlier this summer was a triumph for the war-torn country, with its folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra taking first place and shining a spotlight on Ukrainian culture.
It also posed a logistical challenge: How, if at all, might Ukraine be able to plan and produce next year’s contest — as is customary for first-place winners — while defending itself against Russia’s invasion?
A panel of public broadcasters and security experts concluded last month that it won’t be feasible for Ukraine to host the famously elaborate TV event — which requires 12 months of preparation involving thousands of people, and has historically generated millions of dollars in tourism revenue — given the security issues posed by Russia’s war.
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