Jon Ola Sand: I've never experienced anything like this.
Speaking with Norwegian broadcaster NRK Sand admitted he feels pressure and that he has never been involved in such a challenging situation that they are experiencing right now in Ukraine.
- It has been a very difficult year with many challenges that we have had to look closely at and work closely with, he says.
Ticket sales have been delayed, and neither lighting, set design or sound system are in place, according to the NRK report.
Sand says that the situation right now is hard - and that is for the several reasons. These include quite different organizational culture in Ukraine than they have been used to.
- This makes it all even more complicated. With some personal conflicts on top of it all, I must say that I have not seen anything like it before.
Several key staff resigned, there has been change of leadership at the broadcaster. When new managers come in, then there are others who have to go. And this in turn causes the others also leave in sympathy, he explains.
Sand knows that there is quite tough schedule with only three months left to the final in Kyiv. But he is still confident that the final will be held in Kyiv on 13 May.
- There is very short time. We have really passed all the deadlines that must be in place. We follow this hour by hour, and I'm down there very much to make sure that we are going on the air with the three shows in May.
"And we will do", he adds.
Jon Ola Sand choose to use the word "challenging" rather than "dramatic".
- We are working closely on this, and have a good control over the processes. In recent weeks we have added some extra gear, put in place several people from our side. There is a tremendous desire of Ukrainian side to accomplish this task, he says.
https://www.nrk.no/kultur(...)-lignende-1.13390538