Malmö is getting ready for a green and musical extravaganza.
The city is preparing to become the center of Europe again in 2024 as the host city of the Eurovision Song Contest, an event that many consider to be the musical highlight of the year. This Swedish city, which was previously at the center in 1992 and 2013, will provide the arena for this music spectacle for the third time after the victory of Swedish singer Loreen at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool. The upcoming 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place at the Malmö Arena, with the semi-finals on May 7 and 9 and the grand final on May 11, 2024.
The choice of Malmö as host city followed an extensive bidding process, in which the city's capacity to accommodate thousands of visitors including delegations, crew members, fans and journalists was crucial. Malmö has been chosen for its compact size, well-developed transport infrastructure, and strong commitment to sustainability and green initiatives, making the city an ideal location for major international events.
In terms of sustainability, Malmö has made significant strides, especially in terms of mobility. The city has more than 560 kilometers of cycle paths, more than any other Swedish city. These paths are equipped with advanced facilities such as traffic lights that quickly turn green for approaching cyclists, and special facilities such as waste paper baskets for cyclists and bicycle pumps along the routes.
Public transport in Malmö has also undergone impressive improvements. With an advanced Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that offers journey times comparable to urban rail transport, Malmö responds to the needs of a modern city. The City Tunnel, an underground network, connects the city's three main train stations: Malmö Centraal, Triangeln and Hyllie, contributing to improved traffic flow and accessibility.
The city is further committed to increasing electric buses within its public transport network, as part of its efforts to achieve a fully sustainable bus fleet. These buses are not only more environmentally friendly, but also contribute to a quieter city center.
Malmö is also known for its commitment to tourist and local experiences, intertwined with the city's nature and culture. Slottsträdgården, an extensive garden surrounding the historic Malmö Castle, offers visitors the chance to escape the city bustle and enjoy themed gardens such as a Japanese garden and edible crops.
In addition, Malmö's cultural infrastructure contributes to its appeal as a host city. With institutions such as the Form/Design Center and the Moderna Museet Malmö, both of which showcase contemporary art and design, as well as venues such as Malmö Live Konserthus and the Malmö Opera, there is always something cultural to experience.
In addition, there is an exciting development in the field of sustainable travel; a planned night train connection between Malmö and Brussels. This initiative, which aims to provide a sustainable alternative to air travel, is expected to reduce travel time between these two cities to around eight hours and operate daily.
