Eurovision 2017 in Ukraine

Very soon one of the most anticipated song contests Eurovision 2017 is going to start in Ukraine. KievInsiders simply couldn’t stand aside from such a grand event, that’s why decided to write an overview article about how the preparation for the music festival is going on and what tourists should expect in Kiev.

Eurovision 2017: date and preparation

So, the symbolic keys to the 62^nd Eurovision contest are already in Kiev. Ukraine has picked up the baton from the Swedish Stockholm and a laborious work on creation of the upcoming show has begun.

It should be reminded that the final of Eurovision-2017 will take place on the 13^th of May. This year 43 national teams will participate in the contest. Such a high number of participants has only been recorded in 2008 and 2011. According to preliminary data, around 30 thousand tourists – cheerful, noisy and joyous – will arrive in Kiev. And you can be sure that each of them will be welcome here!

During the contest several thoroughfares in the downtown will be closed. There the Eurovision village will be set up. In it the events planned in between the shows will take place – performances of out-of-competition singers, colorful fairs with interesting souvenirs and entertainment for children. Also the large screens to broadcast all what’s happening will be installed.

According to Jon Ola Sand, executive producer of Eurovision, a nice illumination of buildings is planned which will make the Euro-festivities truly grand and unforgettable.

Contest symbols

The logo of Eurovision-2017 has been presented on the 30^th of January. According to the designers’ concept, it represents a “namysto” – a Ukrainian necklace for women consisting of a great number of beads with the unique design. The chosen interpretation is nonrandom; it symbolizes the main message of the contest:

“We are unique but the love to music unites us all”

Thanks to the bright colors and catchy pattern the logo turned out to be modern and naturally fit into the city space of Kiev.

As to the slogan, it sounds as follows: Celebrate Diversity. A good point, isn’t it?

What is the venue of Eurovision 2017?

The venue at which the contest will take place will be the International exhibition center. In common parlance – the IEC. It’s considered to be the ideal arena for important conferences, international trade shows and music festivals. For the last 3 years this complex has been visited by more than 2 mio. people. The total area is 58,000 sq.m and the modern lighting equipment is really impressive. Come here and check it up by yourself!

During selection of the venue not the least of the factors has been a convenient location of the center.

– It’s situated 27 km away from the Borispol airport.

– From the railway station it can be reached via a direct subway line.

– The walking time between the “Levoberezhnaya” subway station and the complex is only 5 minutes and the travel time to the downtown will not take more than 10 minutes.

– Within the walking distance there are comfortable hotels, decent restaurants and good cafes.

NB for a tourist:  if for some reason you don’t manage to get to the IEC – don’t be upset! Kiev will organize 5 fan-zones which will be located at Kreschatik, Poshtova and Sofiyivska squares, Obolon and Truhanov island. Here it’ll be possible to watch a broadcast of the events and be immersed in the atmosphere of musical unity. 

Opening ceremony and program of Eurovision 2017

Traditionally the Eurovision opening ceremony takes place on a Sunday six days before the final. This year the event is scheduled for the 7^th of May. The venue will be a platform near the Mariinsky palace, next to the Verhovna Rada building.

Interestingly, the red carpet in Ukraine will be record long – almost 270 meters of beauty along which the contest participants will walk.

And now the fast facts. Within Eurovision 2017 you can watch 9 shows:

6 rehearsals: May 8^th, 10^th and 12^th at 9 p.m.

May 9^th, 11^th and 13^th at 3 p.m.

2 semi-finals: May 9^th and 11^th at 9 p.m.

The final starts on May 13^th at 9 p.m.

Don’t miss it!

Eurovision 2017 tickets: where to buy and what’s the cost?

One ticket to Eurovision in Kiev will cost between 10 and 200 euros. The pricing policy is determined by the show program and the plan of seats. You can choose from 6 different categories. The tickets to the VIP zone cost more.

If you are member of an official fan-club, you’ll be eligible for the special package offers. They include 6 tickets next to the stage: for 3 rehearsals and 3 live concerts. In 2016 a similar offer costed 415 euros.

There are three ways to buy tickets to Eurovision 2017:

1. online at the concert.ua website
2. through payment terminals
3. in specialized ticket offices of Kiev and other cities of Ukraine

The purchase of 4 tickets at a time (in one order) is allowed, of a larger number – through a contact center operator. The payment can be made in cash and by credit card.

According to the organizers, for today more than a third of tickets have been sold. A half of them have been bought by foreigners. It should be reminded that the tickets to Eurovision 2017 have been put up for sale at the end of February in the quantity of 70 thousand.

10 best hotels and hostels for Eurovision-2017 guests

To make the journey to another city truly bright and memorizable, the first thing that needs to be done is to find comfortable accommodation. We can’t wait to pleasantly surprise you: an overnight stay in Kiev hotels is many times cheaper than in other European capitals and hostels impress by their agreeable prices and decent living conditions.

For those who wish to watch Eurovision 2017 live, KievInsiders have drawn up a list of the best hostels and hotels of our capital. All of them are located not far away from the downtown of Kiev and the venue of the song event.

HOTELS:

1. Opera Hotel
2. 11 Mirrors Design Hotel
3. Radisson Blu Hotel 
4. Hilton Kyiv
5. Senator Apartments Maidan
6. Holiday Inn
7. Staro Hotel
8. Alfavito
9. Cosmopolite Hotel
10. Ibis Kiev City Center

HOSTELS:

1. Dream House
2. Gar’is Hostel
3. Kiev Central Station Hostel
4. Tiu Kreschatik Hostel
5. ZigZag Hostel
6. Hostel Factory
7. Hostel Smile
8. Hostel VShokoladi
9. Magic Bus Kiev
10. Like Hostel Kiev

As to the weather, forecasters promise that May will be warm as in summer. The temperature fluctuations around 20-22 degrees will create ideal conditions for enjoyment of heartful Kiev evenings.  So, stock up light clothing and good mood. As soon as the preparation for Eurovision is over, you’ll have what to look at!