Ylen’s Marit af Björkesten opens Yle’s five-piece.
Yle’s new CEO Marit af Björkesten represented Yle at the Ebu meeting. MATTI MATIKAINEN
Yle announced today, Thursday, after the EBU meeting of the European Broadcasting Union, that it is “preparing to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna”. Ebu decided in his meeting today that Israel will be allowed to participate in visas. At the same time, the Netherlands, Ireland, Slovenia and Spain announced that they would withdraw from visas due to the decision.
Yle has not directly stated its position regarding Israel’s participation.
Iltalehti reached out to Marit af Björkesten, Yle’s new CEO, who represented Yle at the meeting after Ebu’s decision.
Why doesn’t Yle directly say whether it participates in the viusi, but in the announcement it talks about preparing for the viusi?
Yes, there is a very high probability that we will participate. We have different criteria through which we look at this. We need to ensure that participation in visas is broad. It strongly seems that individual countries are being left out.
How many countries would have to be left out so that Finland would also withdraw from visas?
It is important to us that the songs have a wide audience. In a way, the whole idea of the wise is that a wide community meets in the name of music. The number of participants has always varied, and now three new countries are joining. The economy also needs to stay in order, so that if an awful lot of land is left out, it can become expensive for others. Euros have to be watched in this situation.
What would Yle’s position have been if the meeting had voted on Israel’s participation?
We see that it is terribly important to separate Israel as a country, the Israeli government and this Israeli public broadcaster Kan. After all, it would have been about us voting on the company and its participation. Our position is that companies that follow the rules and strive for independence are allowed to participate. If they break the rules, then Ebu should take a stand, as was done with Russian media companies.
Does Yle understand why there is such strong criticism of Israel and Israel’s visa participation?
Of course we understand. The situation in Gaza is present every day. We too have been very worried that we cannot do good enough or independent journalism from there because we are not allowed in. The situation there is very difficult. It is not directly related to Eurovision, but we understand that these things are connected.
Did feelings heat up at the Ebu meeting when a few countries announced that they would not participate in the visas?
Emotional speeches were held on both sides. Countries other than these, which are not participating, were also of the opinion that it is important to develop Eurovision in a fragmented world.
Last question: will Finland win next spring’s Eurovision Song Contest?
First, you have to choose the one who participates in the visas. Then you can ask again.