Heads of Delegation gather to be briefed ahead of Eurovision 2017

14 March 2017 at 11:30 CET

Heads of Delegation meeting in 2017 Stijn Smulders

With just 60 days to go until the Grand Final of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, delegation leaders were briefed on all important organisational matters regarding the upcoming event. The meeting — a key milestone on the annual Eurovision calendar — also marks the official submission deadline of the contest's entries.

Each Participating Broadcaster sends a Head of Delegation to the contest, as well as to the Heads of Delegation Meeting, which is traditionally held about six weeks before the event weeks. The Head of Delegation is the country's team leader, as well as the official contact point for the organisers.

During the meeting, the Heads were informed about all important matters related to the show and event, ranging from transportation and security to backstage facilities and details surrounding the Red Carpet.

Just before the end of the meeting, the draw for Ukraine's starting position in the Grand Final took place. The outcome: Ukraine will perform 22nd in the running order.

Pavlo Grytsak, Executive Producer of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest said: "We presented our team and showed our preparations during the head of delegations meeting. More than 220 Ukrainian and foreign professionals joined our team for the last four weeks as we continue preparing the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. I'm really thankful to those who came and worked with us during the Heads of Delegation meeting in Kyiv."

How Kyiv will become Eurovision's capital in May

Every year in May, one city turns into Eurovision's capital as thousands travel from all over Europe and beyond to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest. As usual, there will be much more to do than just the three live TV shows.

Apart from the venue where the shows take place, the EuroClub is one of the most popular venues during the two event weeks. The EuroClub, where delegations, fans and press will party the night away, will be established in Kyiv's Parkovy Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Eurovision Village will be located on Khreschatyk, a large street in the heart of Kyiv. The entertainment programme will feature live performances by the participating artists as well as themed parties and competitions.

The Red Carpet of the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest will take place on Sunday 7th May at Kyiv's Mariyinsky Palace and will of course be streamed live on the Eurovision YouTube channel. The Opening Ceremony that follows will be held in the EuroClub.

Out of nearly 12,000 applications, the City of Kyiv selected 1,000 volunteers to support delegates, journalists and fans during the event weeks.

In case you haven't marked your calendar yet; the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Kyiv, Ukraine with Semi-Finals on 9th and 11th May and the Grand Final on 13th May.

The first ánd last time Ukraine's capital hosted the Eurovision Song Contest was in 2005.