Coronavirus concerns have caused cancelation of the event, which “has united people all around Europe” for 64 years.
The 2020 Eurovision song contest has been cancelled. The event’s 65th edition was to take place in Rotterdam from May 12-16 and be broadcast live globally.
“We, like the millions of you around the world, are extremely saddened that it cannot take place in May,” organizers at the European Broadcasters Union, which oversees the contest in which 41 participating public broadcasters present their country’s contestants, said in a statement on Wednesday (March 18) which explained that many options to go ahead with the event had been explored, but ultimately cancelation became inevitable.
“The uncertainty created by the spread of COVID-19 throughout Europe -- and the restrictions put in place by the governments of the participating broadcasters and the Dutch authorities -- means the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has taken the difficult decision to not continue with the live event as planned. The health of artists, staff, fans and visitors, as well as the situation in the Netherlands, Europe and the world, is at the heart of this decision.”