According to the Finnish newspaper Iltalehti, this year's Finnish Eurovision Song Contest representative Lordi wants to use a spectacular fireworks show during their performance in Athens. The only problem is… who will pay for them?
Iltalehti states that the fireworks Lordi wants to use are very special and that only one company can take care of the pyrotechnic-effects. This company charges several thousands of euros for the fireworks show. Furthermore, the newspaper also claims that the fireworks are “essential” for Lordi's performance and that, if nobody will pay the bill, Lordi won't perform in Athens and that Finland will withdraw from the 51st Eurovision Song Contest.
YLE's Head of Entertainment, Ilkka Talasranta, has written a letter to Svante Stockselius, Iltalehti claims, in which it is said that YLE will not pay for the fireworks and that if the EBU and/or ERT won't pay either, YLE is forced to withdraw their Eurovision Song Contest entry. Esctoday.com informed at YLE and the EBU if this information is correct, but so far, we did not receive a reply yet.
If the story in Iltalehti is true or yet another publicity stunt, time will tell…
UPDATE: According to Ilkka Talasranta, head of the Finnish delegation, YLE protests about the “high prices of the fireworks”.
