Copenhagen has been chosen by Danish broadcaster DR as host city of the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, with the event’s three shows being broadcast from the city’s former shipyard, the B&W Hallerne.
But this decision has caused disappointment in the cities of Horsens and Herning, which had been vying with the Danish capital, and with each other, to host next year’s competition.
The most unusual and perhaps most talked about bid came from Horsens and its proposal to host the contest in a decommissioned prison block.
We are obviously annoyed that DR didn’t chose Horsens, said the city’s mayor, Peter Sorensen. But we respect DR’s decision and would like to congratulate Copenhagen.
He added that although the city’s old prison won’t be hosting Eurovision next year, plans to cover its courtyard and use it as a venue for other events and television programs are afoot, and it will be a determined part of the Horsens bid next time Denmark wins the competition.
In Herning, local politicians have been coming to terms with this morning’s announcement and the failure of the city in its bid.
Personally, I am annoyed, said Mette Bock of the Danish Liberal Alliance. I had hoped for a venue outside Copenhagen. The last two times Denmark won Eurovision, the contest was held in Copenhagen. Maybe it was time to get out of the capital.
Jørgen Arbo – Bæhr of the country’s Red-Green Alliance party expressed his concern that the former shipyard in Copenhagen may not have been the best choice. There can be big traffic problems around there, he said. Especially when there are so many tourists. And the subway’s not finished yet.
It’s Copenhagenry of the worst kind, said Marc Perera Christensen, Alderman for Culture and Citizens’ Services. He added, explaining his opinion that the best bids to host the contest had been overlooked by what he believes to be a Copenhagen-biased broadcaster, that, DR has failed its license payers in the west of the country. Rather than Denmark Radio, the corporation should change its name to Copenhagen Radio.
Stay tuned to esctoday.com for the latest news on the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest.
