Eurovision 2022: Bologna's candidacy for hosting ESC 2022 is growing stronger; Laura Pausini expresses support to the city's bid

Eurovision 2022: Bologna's candidacy for hosting ESC 2022 is growing stronger; Laura Pausini expresses support to the city's bid
Monday, 19 July 2021

  • Bologna's candidacy for hosting Eurovision 2022 is growing stronger, while acts like Laura Pausini openly support the city's bid to host the next Eurovision Song Contest. 

    Bologna is one of the 17 cities that have joined the Eurovision 2022 host city bidding race and seems to be among the 3-4 cities that fulfill EBU"s requirements to host the competition. 

    Bologna is intensely working on the presentation of its project in view of Eurovision 2022 , thanks to a team of leading experts in the sector and the company, Free Events, which can have a wide range of experience in organizing major events. 

    And while the city is preparing its bidding book for hosting the contest,  Bologna has received the open support of one of the best known and most loved Italian artists in the world, honored witg Grammy Awards, Golden Globes and Oscar nominations. Namely, Laura Pausini has expressed openly her support to the city of Bologna as the most appropriate to host next year's Eurovision. 

    Through her social media account on Instagram the famous Italian act in one of her story urged the fans to vote for Bologna in some fan polls. Although these polls play no role at the final outcome of the bidding process, however receiving support from such an internationally acclaimed singer contributes decisively to boost publicly the city's candidacy. 

    Insta Laura

     

    Bologna's Candidacy as Eurovision 2022 host city

    The candidacy of the city is managed by Andrea Camporesi , head of the events company Free Event, who on behalf of the Municipality of Bologna is following the design of the ideas that the Emilia-Romagna capital will present to Rai by next 4 August.

    Initially reported by the media outlet of  Resto del Carlino , has been the idea of using the event as a tribute to Raffaella Carrà , who was of Bolognese origins but of undisputed fame not only in Italy, but worldwide also, being particularly loved in Spain and in much of Latin America, as well as by the audience of eurofans.

    Bologna can count on two locations as potential venues of the next Eurovision. The first that stands out is  is the Unipol Arena, located in Casalecchio di Reno, about 12 km from Bologna central station. Depending on the configuration, it can count on a capacity of approximately 18,000 to 20,000 spectators. It can be reached from Bologna with special extra-urban bus lines or via the railway line. Structure height : 30 meters.

    In addition the bid book makers intend to include an alternative proposal with the Bologna Fairs chosen as an alternative , which offers large spaces that could be converted into a functional venue for the event's needs due to its flexibility. The Bologna Fairs includes sinces September 2020 the Virtus Segafredo Arena, a temporary indoor arena with almost 10,000 seats that hosts the home games of the well-known local basketball team. 

    Thus a candidacy which its bid book offers two solutions regarding the potential venue can easily explain why it is already a strong contender in the ESC 2022 host city race. 

     

    International connections 

    The city has a wide number of international connections through the G. Marconi international airport which is very close to the city. In just 7 minutes, thanks to the Marconi Express (train on monorail) you can reach the central station of Bologna. Alternatively, bus connections are available.

     

    Accommodation capacity 

    In terms of accommodation capacity, Bologna can count on over 24,000 beds and 12,800 rooms in hotels and similar structures (latest Istat data).

     

    The Eurovision 2022 host city bidding process

    The Italian national broadcaster, RAI, has announced that 17 cities have submitted an application to run in the Eurovision 2022 host city process. 

    RAI has passed to the candidate cities the book which encloses all the terms and requirements for hosting the next competition. The candidate cities should develop and  send in their respective bid books by August 4, while the EBU and RAi will come to a final decision by the end of the month.

    In the past years when the contest was a hosted in Italy, it took place in Naples, in 1965, after the victory of Gigliola Cinquetti and in Rome in 1991, after the victory of Toto Cutugno.

     

    News Source: eurofestivalnews.com

    Image: Laura Pausini Instagram/ Cover photo: Fkstories