The next step after winning the contest

Now that the nail-biting battle for Eurovision points between Latvia and Malta and all the ensuing celebrations are over comes the realization of the overwhelming responsibility for the winner to host the event next year.

But now that the empty champagne bottles have settled the atmosphere is clearly optimistic.

Gundars Reders, acting director general of Latvian Television, and Arvids Babris, head of Latvia's winning Eurovision 2002 delegation told reporters that by June 10 Latvia will have to answer several essential questions: will Latvia hold the contast, will Latvia be able to extend a guarantee of 1.7 million lats as collateral for staging the contest, and where will the venue be?

Reders said the country has enough potential sponsors to fund the project, adding that technical support will be the key issue.

"The Riga 800 organization showed how well we can organize huge events, but we will need technical help," he said. "First we will talk to local governments in Riga and Ventspils and possible sponsors."

Ventspils, as well as the coastal resort town of Jurmala, which lies 30 kilometers from Riga, is also a possible location for the Eurovision 2003 event.

Reders said that first pick when it comes to technical support is obviously Estonia, but Sweden and Germany are not ruled out.

Most of the equipment necessary to host Eurovision 2002 was leased from Swedish television.

The Latvian Institute is responsible for promoting the country on the international arena. Its director, Ojars Kalnins, said hosting Eurovision is a unique opportunity for the country to present itself to the wider world.

About 300 million TV viewers around the globe tuned in to Eurovision 2002.

But looking for a suitable venue may lead to clashes between interest groups, similar to those that have disrupted the construction of an arena to host the 2006 World Ice Hockey Championship.

"Now we have to begin working seriously, and let's hope this thing will not get politicized," Kalnins said.

Peteris Elferts, adviser to Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins, said Berzins was both proud and excited about hosting the event next year.

According to Elferts, the prime minister thinks the event should be organized with as little government funding as possible. Instead local governments and sponsors should pick up the bill.

"But, of course, the government will set aside some money for it," Elferts said.

Latvian Culture Minister Karina Petersone said she thought Estonia set a splendid example of how to organize the song contest and promote the country.

"If we could do the same, that would be fantastic. I think we should focus on our culture and heritage when we promote ourselves," she said.

Referring to Riga's biggest park, 7 kilometers north of the center, she added that "a good idea may be to have Eurovision in Mezaparks."

Petersone said she was moved by Estonian Culture Minister Signe Kivi who, according to Petersone, offered to help as much as she could.