On Wednesday afternoon it was confirmed what many had expected: the European Broadcasting Union decided to cancel this year's Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) due to the coronavirus pandemic. The final was supposed to take place on May 16 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Ben Dolic (22, "Violent Thing") was supposed to represent Germany there.
"Take care of each other"
"The news about the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 naturally hit me deeply and I'm extremely sad," explains Dolic when asked by the spot on news news agency. "Given the situation around us, the cancellation is completely understandable and the only right thing to do. Health just comes first." Everyone should "watch out for each other now and stick together so that we can overcome this crisis together."
Shortly before, Thomas Schreiber, ARD entertainment coordinator, said in a press release: "As disappointing as it is for everyone involved, for all artists and all viewers in Europe and Australia, the same also applies to the ESC: the health of everyone must be the primary goal. "