- Title: We are confident in Eurovision safety measures, say hosts Malmo
- Date: 17th April 2024
- Summary: MALMO, SWEDEN (APRIL 17, 2024) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SIGN ADVERTISING EUROVISION SONG CONTEST START OF PRESS CONFERENCE OFFICIALS AT PRESS CONFERENCE PHOTOGRAPHER (SOUNDBITE) (Swedish) CITY OF MALMO DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY AND SAFETY, PER-ERIK EBBESTAHL, SAYING: "Our position is that everyone is welcome. Anyone who wants to contribute to what Eurovision stands for. At the same time, we understand that there is concern among visitors based on the security situation in the world today. But we work together with these different actors around security issues and we have a good and long history of managing big events. So we are confident, and fully confident that various security partners who work with the different parts make good and relevant assessments that we adhere to." EUROVISION SONG CONTEST LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (Swedish) CITY OF MALMO DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY AND SAFETY, PER-ERIK EBBESTAHL, SAYING: "We constantly adapt to the risk picture that exists and the measures that the police demand be implemented. But our ambition is for the focus to be on events and arrangements and not on security measures." PRESS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) POLICE INCIDENT COMMANDER, PETRA STENKULA, SAYING: "I think it's important that everyone feels they can come to Eurovision and not feel anxious. We will be there with a large police force. We will get help from all over Sweden. Swedish police is solid for this event. We work together and we also have cooperation with our Nordic police colleagues." PRESS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS POLICE LOGO ON STENKULA’S SWEATER (SOUNDBITE) (English) POLICE INCIDENT COMMANDER, PETRA STENKULA, SAYING: "Of course, it is not possible to turn a blind eye to the fact that we have a high terror threat level and we are of course cooperating closely with the security police so that we can take measures to minimise the risk." VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF MALMO CITY HALL VARIOUS OF SIGN ADVERTISING EUROVISION SONG CONTEST WATERWAY IN CITY CENTRE
- Embargoed: 1st May 2024 14:10
- Keywords: ESC Eurovision Song Contest Israel Palestine police security
- Location: MALMO, SWEDEN
- City: MALMO, SWEDEN
- Country: Sweden
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Europe,Music
- Reuters ID: LVA001587317042024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:The Swedish city Malmo, host of this year's Eurovision Song Contest in May, is confident in its security measures and prepared for possible unrest on the sidelines of the event, city officials said on Wednesday (April 17).
While the Eurovision Song Contest bills itself as a non-political event, the global political backdrop frequently weighs in and this year's contest will take place amid protests and boycotts over the Gaza war in several countries worldwide.
"We constantly adapt to the risk picture that exists and the measures that the police demand be implemented. But our ambition is for the focus to be on events and arrangements and not on security measures," Malmo Safety Director Per-Erik Ebbestahl told a press conference.
Malmo has already seen protests against Israel's participation in the upcoming contest, the world's biggest of its kind.
Last week, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) which organises the contest, urged people to refrain from online abuse, hate speech and harassment directed at some participating artists.
The organisers' decision to include the Israeli broadcaster Kan has sparked protests from some artists and ministers in Europe.
The EBU has said the song contest is an apolitical event and not a contest between governments.
Malmo expects guests from 80 countries for the event.
(Production: Tom Little, Ilze Filks) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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