Positive COVID19 test among Polish delegation

Today, the EBU came up with an announcement concerning the Polish delegation of the Eurovision Song Contest.

“During a routine test upon arrival at the Eurovision Song Contest venue on Saturday 15 May, a member of the Polish delegation tested positive for COVID 19. They had last been at the venue on Thursday when the whole delegation were in possession of a negative COVID-19 test. In accordance with our health and safety protocol this person has now gone into isolation.
As a precautionary measure in the run up to show week the other members of their delegation will now undergo a PCR test and go into quarantine. As a result of this, the Polish delegation will not attend the Turquoise Carpet event in person on Sunday16 May. We will have further updates in due course and send our best wishes to the whole delegation.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 is taking place this year with the full support and assistance of the Dutch authorities.  Our primary objective is to produce a fully COVID 19 safe event, and the health and welfare of all those taking part, working at the event or in the audience is our most important priority. A range of strict measures, including isolation, social distancing and regular testing have been imposed on everyone on the advice of health professionals to ensure everyone’s safety.  We are deeply grateful for the support of the authorities in this, and to all the delegations, crew, venue staff and contractors for their willing co-operation to make sure the Contest can take place”

It is not known whether the member of the Polish delegation is the singer Rafał or anyone else from the Polish delegation. Whoever it is, team Eurovision Universe wishes this person a good recovery.

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Weekly Update

It’s time for another weekly Eurovision update. Lithuania has officially confirmed its participation for 2026. Bosnia & Herzegovina sadly announced it will not return. Belgium’s Eurovision plans remain uncertain despite earlier reports. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is inching closer to a possible debut. Austrian media are buzzing with the first host rumors, and ORF has entered negotiations with Vienna and Innsbruck to decide the 2026 host city. 🇱🇹 🇧🇦 Lithuania In, Bosnia-Herzegovina Out of Eurovision 2026 Lithuania’s broadcaster LRT has confirmed that the country will compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. The confirmation was given to ESC Today. Details on how Lithuania will select its entry are yet to be announced, but a national final is expected as in previous years. 📷 EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett In contrast, Bosnia & Herzegovina will not be participating in Eurovision 2026. Broadcaster BHRT officially stated it cannot return next year. That is due to ongoing EBU sanctions stemming from unpaid debts. The Bosnian delegation explained that without resolving the funding issues and outstanding debts – and securing a sponsor – a Eurovision comeback isn’t feasible. Bosnia & Herzegovina last took part in 2016 and has been absent from the contest ever since. 🇧🇪 Belgium’s 2026 Participation Remains Uncertain Contrary to reports last week, Belgium’s Eurovision 2026 participation is not yet fully confirmed. French-language broadcaster RTBF (responsible for Belgium’s 2026 entry) clarified the station has not officially committed to the contest yet. RTBF cited ongoing discussions within the EBU and among its member broadcasters. That’s why they are proceeding with preparations without a formal confirmation of participation for now. 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A final decision on Kazakhstan’s Eurovision 2026 fate is expected in the coming months. 🇦🇹 Host Rumors: ORF Eyes Swarovski and Knoll for 2026 With Austria preparing to host Eurovision 2026, speculation has started about who will present the shows. One name on everyone’s lips is Andi Knoll. He is Austria’s veteran Eurovision commentator. According to Kleine Zeitung, Knoll is considered a likely choice – essentially a “fixed” host for 2026. Knoll has been the Austrian commentator since 1999. So seeing him step on the Eurovision stage next year would be a fitting full-circle moment. 📷 Johan Morgenbesser, Wikimedia Commons Another high-profile name emerging is Victoria Swarovski. ORF is reportedly interested in the TV presenter as a potential Eurovision host. Victoria is known for hosting Germany’s “Let’s Dance”. Austrian media reveal that ORF insiders are “flirting” with the idea of featuring the Tyrolean-born Swarovski in the hosting lineup. However, there could be scheduling conflicts with her RTL commitments, which might depend on RTL’s involvement in Eurovision next year. 📷 Superbass, Wikimedia Commons Swarovski isn’t the only woman in the mix. Several ORF news anchors – such as Nadja Bernhard, Alexandra Wachter, and Raffaela Schaidreiter – are also rumored as possibilities for the hosting team. Fans have even speculated about bringing back the trio of female hosts from Vienna 2015: Arabella Kiesbauer, Mirjam Weichselbraun, and Alice Tumler. In fact, Kiesbauer has already stated she’d be ready to return if asked, saying “if I’m needed, I’ll be there”. ORF has yet to make any official announcements, so the host selection remains an exciting guessing game for now. Also Conchita Wurst is rumoured as a host. She did the job in the green room in 2015. Vienna and Innsbruck in Final Host City Talks Vienna and Innsbruck have emerged as the final two cities vying to host Eurovision 2026. Both cities submitted their official bid proposals by the July 4 deadline and impressed the broadcaster with their plans. ORF conducted initial site visits at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna and the Olympiaworld arena in Innsbruck, the venues proposed in the bids. Following those inspections, ORF invited both cities to enter detailed negotiations, calling the two proposals “very exciting and promising”. ORF’s Director General Roland Weißmann praised Vienna and Innsbruck for their strong enthusiasm and suitable conditions to host the contest. The Stadthalle (which can hold up to ~16,000 attendees and previously hosted Eurovision in 2015) and Innsbruck’s Olympiaworld (around 12,000 capacity) both meet the key requirements. Over the coming weeks, ORF will be in deep discussions with each city’s team to scrutinize all logistical and financial details. The final decision on the Eurovision 2026 host city is expected by the second half of August – so we’ll soon find out whether the honor goes to the capital Vienna or the Tyrolean city of Innsbruck. That’s all for this weekly update. Stay tuned for another roundup next week. The road to Eurovision 2026 continues! Share

Share
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