Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna!
Vienna, Aug 20 (EFE).-
Vienna will host the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest next year, the final of which will be held on May 16 May, according to the Austrian public broadcaster ORF on Wednesday.
The Austrian capital will host the event for the third time after 1967 and 2015. It had presented its candidacy under the motto ‘Europe, shall we dance?’ and offered to host it at the Wiener Stadthalle, a multi-purpose pavilion, with capacity for up to 16,000 people.
The victory of the Austrian singer JJ with his song ‘Wasted Love’ in the most recent edition – followed by 166 million viewers – held in Basel, Switzerland, once again brought the spotlight on Austria.
ORF Director General Roland Weißmann said that after careful consideration for four weeks, Vienna was chosen, emphasizing its venue suitability and proximity to airports as key criteria in the selection process.
Besides its cultural importance, Vienna is known to have a strong infrastructure and be well connected with different cities around the world.
Weißmann noted that the final will be held on Saturday, May 16, which puts the dates of the semifinals on May 12 and 14.
Austria has been in recession for more than two years, which could worsen due to the current trade crisis in the world. Against this backdrop, the hosting of the Eurovision 2026 could serve to provide a much needed impetus to its economy. EFE as/sc
