"Eurovision-2017" opening ceremony to be held at St. Sophia of Kiev

The "Eurovision" opening ceremony will be held in the National Reserve "Sophia of Kyiv" in spring 2017, reports UA: Pershyi.

This was decided at a working meeting of representatives of the European Broadcasting Union, the National Television Company of Ukraine, the Kyiv city state administration and representatives of Stockholm, which hosted the "Eurovision" in 2016.

Part of the opening ceremony of the festival is "The Red Carpet", which brings together delegations of all participating countries, the press and fans. The Red Carpet is planned to be held in Sophia square, Kiev. From there, a red carpet will lead to the venue of the opening ceremony – the complex of St. Sophia of Kiev," said in a statement.

The very opening ceremony of "Eurovision" is to take place on the territory of St. Sophia’s Cathedral, named a UNESCO World Heritage site. To broadcast the ceremony special screens will be installed in Sophia square.
"Sophia of Kiev is not acting cathedral, it is a museum. Therefore, we will not offend any religious feelings of believers," said the deputy head of Kiev City State Administration Alexei Reznikov during the presentation.