The EBU has just announced that Christer Bjorkman, the man behind the Swedish Melodifestivalen, show producer of Eurovision 2013 in Malmö, and more recently contest producer on SVT’s award-winning production of Eurovision 2016 has now joined the core team of Eurovision 2017 as a Contest Producer.

The announcement of hiring more staff to work on Eurovision 2017 came this morning. The core team now includes Larysa Koval as Commercial Director (who has previously worked on the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest, the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2009 and UEFA Euro 2012), Oleh Zapadniuk as Head of Security (UEFA Europa League 2009 – 2012, UEFA Euro 2012) and Kyrylo Voronin as Event Manager, and Christer Bjorkman as Contest Producer. All are specialists, with long-standing experience in large-scale international projects.

Christer Bjorkman stated the following:

I’m thrilled to be back, working on what is surely the world’s premier music event.  I look forward to collaborating with the wonderful team at UA:PBC and I’m sure together we will produce the best contest yet!

The Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, Mr. Jon Ola Sand stated:

It is pleasing to see these positive steps being taken in the staffing of the core team for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. For example, the appointment of Christer Björkman adds to what is already an excellent production team, and his experience producing the Eurovision Song Contest over several years will be invaluable. Now, with many key positions filled, it is important that the EBU and UA:PBC continue to implement the plans already agreed, and work to the timeline and milestones that were established and approved by the Reference Group to ensure a successful Contest in May.

The first rehearsals are starting in approximately 10 weeks time. More tickets for rehearsals, and for all shows are going to go on sale during this week. Stay tuned for more news to come.