Helsinki Arena to welcome 2007 Eurovision Song Contest

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The Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE announced yesterday that the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Helsinki. The Helsinki Arena (formerly Hartwall Arena) will be the venue of next year's competition.
      A total of 11 large halls and arenas from seven cities applied to hold the contest.
     
The decision to bring the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest to Helsinki was based on the fact that the capital city has years of experience at organising various major events. It also has good transport connections, and sufficient accommodation capacity. Moreover, the organisers wish to give as many people as possible an opportunity to come to watch the competition on the spot.
      Furthermore, the Helsinki Arena also has suitable technical facilities for the production of TV programmes. However, some additional equipment will be leased from abroad, while the necessary personnel and know-how can be found in Finland.
      "Given these criteria, the choice was clear", said Director Olli-Pekka Heinonen who is responsible for Finnish-language television at YLE.
     
YLE has estimated that the budget for the Eurovision Song Contest would be EUR 13 million.
      In addition to YLE, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as well as the Finnish government and the City of Helsinki, among others, will also contribute to the expenses. While the ticket revenues are to cover part of the costs, YLE has promised to keep the ticket prices affordable.
      Director of Television Olli-Pekka Heinonen and Director of Programmes at YLE Radio Suomi Ville Vilén have been appointed as the heads of YLE's Eurovision Song Contest 2007 project, while Director of Programming Heikki Seppälä will be the Executive Producer of the event.
      "Right after Midsummer, it will be time to consider a theme for the competition", Heinonen reported. The decisions on the contents of the programme as well as on the much-debated master of ceremonies pairing will be made later this year.
     
Even the City of Helsinki is willing to invest in the Eurovision Song Contest.
      The city's experience as an organiser of major events will be used for logistics, security, and decor matters. Moreover, the city has promised to carry the overall responsibility for security.
      Furthermore, Helsinki will arrange various other events during the week of the Song Contest. It will also provide both network and mobile services together with YLE.
      The purpose is to organise a 7-day festival for all citizens.
      Business Development Director Eero Holstila from the City of Helsinki's Economic and Planning Centre has not presented any estimates for the costs to be covered by the city as yet.
     
The Helsinki Arena alone is not sufficient for the Eurovision Song Contest, and hence additional facilities will have to be built to accommodate both the contestants and the media.
      The 2007 Eurovision Song Contest is to take place on May 10th (semifinal) and 12th (final).


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Lordi meet press and PM - welcome-home concert for fans on Friday evening (23.5.2006)

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