At a meeting last week in Malta, host broadcaster PBS presented their chosen venue to the Junior Eurovision Steering Committee. The Malta Shipbuilding, situated in Marsa, is located around ten minutes from the capital city, Valletta. It feature three enormous shipping sheds that will be transformed into the venue for this year’s competition.
“The venue is a challenge, and we’re looking forward to seeing it transformed into a wonderful setting for Junior Eurovision”, said Steering Group member Anja Zegwaard of AVROTROS in The Netherlands. “I’m not worried at all, it’s going to be fantastic!” added Tine Matulessy of Swedish broadcaster SVT.
The Malta Shipbuilding will have a capacity of up to 4,500 spectators for this year’s live show and jury final. It will have space for approximately 800 people in a standing area at the front, with bleachers and raised seating covering the rest of the floor to the back of the venue. As the building was formerly used as a shipyard, there are many steel supports in both the roof and side-lines. While the roof bars will be ideal for attaching the lighting rigs above the stage and audience, the steel bars at the side will be lit specially to give a silhouette effect inside the venue.
How will the shipbuilding be used?
The middle shed will be used for the audience, stage, and backstage
The sheds on the left and right sides will be used for the audience entrances, toilets, merchandise and food stalls
The delegation area with dressing rooms will be situated in the side sheds, as well as the production area for storing props
A press centre, and press conference area, will be located next door to the venue.
