Eurovision fans outside of Denmark have reacted positively to Copenhagen being named as the host city of next year’s concert, with 80 per cent of them saying it was their preferred choice.
While Danes have been divided on what should have been named the host city, with many feeling one of less-known cities deserved the chance, the reaction from the rest of Europe and further afield has been completely different.
Eurovision Song Contest fan website ESCToday’s head of press Sergio Jiandani said that fans are ecstatic with the choice. He explained that fans from across Europe and even as far away as the USA and Australia head to Europe for the annual event, so the fact that Copenhagen is the host makes it easier for them to arrange things such as accommodation.
ESCToday conducted a survey in July about which Danish city the international fans would want to host the event out of the three candidates: Copenhagen, Horsens and Herning. Jiandani revealed that 80 per cent of respondents chose the Danish capital.
Since Denmark’s own Emmelie de Forest won this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, Danish broadcaster DR has received thousands of messages from fans requesting that the 2014 event is held in Copenhagen.
Fotis Konstantopoulos, who edits fan website Oikotimes, said that this is in part because fans already know the city. He explained that many were in Copenhagen in 2001 when the Parken stadium staged the competition’s largest ever show and/or at Forum to celebrate the 50th anniversary Congratulations show in 2005.
He went on to say that many also travelled through Copenhagen en route to Malmo for this year’s event so are aware that the city boasts the airport facilities and number of hotels needed to stage such an event.