Earlier this week the European Broadcasting Union acknowledged that its members have big concerns — and it pledged to address them across three major areas.
And, as a result of that, Norway’s Head of Delegation Stig Karlsen says his country is ready to participate in Eurovision in 2025.
“Now the EBU has recognized that they had problems this year and they are working to improve it,” he told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. “And what we’ve been told, in addition to what they’ve come out with publicly, sounds very good. So now we will work constructively and positively to get Norway into Eurovision in 2025.”
Even so, he says that not all of Norway’s specific concerns have been addressed.
“We hope that the EBU ensures that the ESC is not used as a political tool, because there was quite a bit of this this year,” he said. “It is also important that they become better at communicating, crisis management and security around the event.”
Israel is among the 16 countries that have already confirmed their participation in Switzerland next year. Israel’s participation was, of course, controversial before and during the most recent contest in Sweden.
“NRK has been clear that we do not engage in a cultural boycott,” Karlsen said. “What is important to us is that Eurovision is not used as a platform for politics, and the EBU has not been able to follow this up as well [as the other issues that Norway raised]. We cannot have countries that use the competition as a platform for propaganda.”
Following Eurovision, Norway’s act Gåte were very clear that they did not always feel totally safe backstage. Karlsen hopes that contestants will have a better experience next year.
“We must communicate well with the artist and provide an understanding of what we do and how we handle this. It is very important that the artist has a good experience throughout.”
Are you happy that Norway is returning to the competition? What concerns do you still have? Let us know in the comments box down below.
