Officials from Kyiv City State Administration along with the Mayor of Kyiv Mr. Vitali Klitchsko paid a visit today to the 2017 Eurovision venue- The International Exhibition Centre.

The Mayor of Kyiv, Mr. Vitali Klitchsko along with a grand entourage of Kyiv City State Administration officials and representatives visited the 2017 Eurovision venue yesterday, in order to check out the premises and evaluate and study all the necessary requirements for hosting the competition next year. The Mayor Of Kyiv also spoke to the assembled press about the current preparations and plans regarding the city and the competition.

The mayor commented regarding the speculation about Kyiv not being ready to host the forthcoming Eurovision Song  Contest which was spread media in the last days. He went on to mention that a special group consisting of EBU representatives travelled to the Ukrainian capital last week in order to check out the preparations, were pleased with the outcome.

Vitali Klitschko adds:

We will be 100% ready for Eurovision at the beginning of May 2017. We have a strong team and we will hold the song contest at an appropriate level.

Commenting on the situation with unfinished construction by the shore of the Dnieper River near the site of the competition, the Mayor of Kyiv noted that this is a complex issue, because people who have bought housing in these buildings need to build them, while other members of the public oppose and insist on the demolition.

Vitali Klitschko says:

Our task is  to find a compromise in order to bring the best for the state territory, break the green zone, equip the embankment, so that the whole area can look well-groomed and modern. It’s not just a matter about the Eurovision Song Contest, but also about the improvement of our city.

When asked about the long-term abandoned construction in front of the IEC, Vitali Klitschko said that this is not the property of the city.

Mr. Klitschko also stressed that there will no problem regarding accommodation during the Eurovision period in Kyiv, as the city is well equipped when it comes to hotel capacity. Kyiv offers a total of 265 hotels  in different categories.

Regarding the the financial security for Eurovision, Vitali Klitschko commented:

50 million we have allocated and 150 million forecast in the budget Kyiv next year. This money, will focus exclusively on holding Eurovision. I will not talk about the money that goes to landscaping. Eurovision will take place, will go away, but the new infrastructure, new roads, new green areas will remain with us forever. We invest in the infrastructure and the development of the capital.

NTU the national Ukrainian broadcaster and the City of Kyiv are both working hard and round the clock in order to bring about a magnificent competition next Spring, when Eurovision lands in the Ukrainian capital.

One thing we know for sure is that Kyiv is all set to welcome everyone next May. The magnificent Ukrainian capital will dress up for the occasion and will be beautified with Eurovision branding and motifs.

Video of Mr. Klitschko’s visit to the IEC and his comments to the assembled press.

The 2017 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 9, 11 and 13 May at the International Exhibition Centre in Kyiv, Ukraine.