Eurovision 2017: Kiev to host 'electrifying' song contest next year
EUROVISION fans will be flocking to Ukraine next year as it's been announced that Kiev will host the next song contest.
Eurovision winner Jamala honoured by Ukrainian president
Organisers said fans could look forward to an "electrifying" show in May 2017.
Following Jamala's victory at Eurovision in Sweden this year with her song 1944, Ukraine won the chance to host the next contest.
However, the country's capital had to fight off bids from both Odessa and Dnipro (formerly Dnipropetrovsk) before it was chosen as the host city.
Eurovision boss Jon Ola Sand congratulated Kiev on its second stint as host city.
Ukraine will host Eurovision 2017 after Jamala's victory this year
Jamala's victory was dished out at Stockholm's event in May
The Ukrainian capital hosted the contest in 2005 and was also home to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in both 2009 and 2013.
Sand, who is the European Broadcasting Union (EBU)'s executive supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest, said: "After a thorough selection process, we are very pleased to be announcing today that NTU (National Television Company of Ukraine) will be working with Kiev as host city for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest.
"We would like to congratulate NTU on their extensive and careful assessments of each bid. Kiev presented an excellent case and we are looking forward to working together to create the most electrifying show yet next May," he added.
Up to 11,000 spectators will be able to watch the show at the International Exhibition Centre, the largest venue of its kind in Ukraine, when the grand final takes place on Saturday, May 13.
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Six candidate cities made a bit to host the singing contest, with Kiev, Dnipro and Odessa making the final round.
Deputy Director General of NTU, Victoria Romanova, said: "In the course of the selection we were deeply impressed with the efforts made by the bidding cities, the professionalism of their teams and the serious approach to their participation in the bid.
"The process has demonstrated an unprecedented interest in the Eurovision Song Contest in Ukraine. We look forward to maintaining that momentum, with thanks and congratulations to Kiev - the host city of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest."