“It’s exciting that I didn’t grasp this,” says new UMK chief producer Mikko Silvennoinen

For the past three years, Silvennoinen has worked as a day job in Yle’s children’s and youth editorial department, since autumn as editorial manager.

HS:n reached Silvennoinen does not admit that the appointment is about very conscious career planning for him.

“I hadn’t planned to apply for a position for a long time. It opened up, I applied and to my surprise I got it. I found out about my choice last Thursday, I’m still confused and many practical things are open.”

Silvennoinen inherits a television product that is on a strong rise, which is admired and tried to be copied around the world.

He says that in his new position, he wants to remember the fans who have kept the Eurovision flame alive in Finland even when there have been no final places and the deck has seemed to be messed up.

How do you plan to maintain UMK’s success?

“It’s almost exciting that I wouldn’t touch this.”

“I would never have thought that UMK would become this big. We used to admire Melodifestivalen and thought that we too had something this cool. Now we have something much cooler.”

“At some point, being a Eurovision fan was a bit strange. I still don’t know how, but I want to thank those who were fans even then. At the same time, I believe that UMK can be even bigger. I just spoke to my predecessor Anssi Aution with, who also encouraged in this direction.”

That then do you see the contradiction in that at the same time you want to remember the small group of hc fans and expand the competition to an even bigger audience?

“No. UMK is a cultural phenomenon, not just one night or a limited fan event. It accommodates all kinds of music lovers.”

Do you have to give up the role of narrator at UMK and Eurovision, even though you have been kept in the role?

“This is one of the many open questions. We have to think about whether it is too strange from the audience’s point of view if I continue in a double role, and whether such a thing is even feasible in practice. The plot is not a threshold issue for me, and the work of the producer in charge is undoubtedly now a priority.”

Many different things have been tried at UMK, for example a model where one artist performs all the songs. Will the current format, which includes many performers and musical styles, be continued under you?

“It’s great that different methods of operation have been bravely tried, but I see the current style as very functional. It’s great to be able to promote different performers and genres. It’s a win for artists in itself if you can enter the competition.”

You are known as a critic of Israel…

“I’m sorry, but who said that? I’ve received critical feedback about the Israel comments made in connection with the shows, both from critics of Israel and from those who understand. I’ve realized that this topic always divides opinions and I’ve tried to keep my mouth a little smaller.”

Will UMK’s line on the Israel issue somehow change with your election?

“I think UMK has done a great, open and transparent job regarding the Israel issue. The line is not changing, the issue can still be brought up in broadcasts and discussed from many angles.”