Bootle hosted its own Eurovision event today, with powerful performances stunning shoppers at its shopping centre.
People had gathered in Mons Square for a celebration of Ukrainian culture and Liverpool's continued support of displaced refugees. Dubbed 'Bootle's own Eurovision' the event included songs of hope, the message of peace, and 10ft Beatles puppets.
It was a chance for Ukrainian refugees to celebrate their culture far from home. There was a sense of joy in the air as Ukrainians let go of their fears and told onlookers that their spirit will not be defeated by a war that has torn a country apart.
READ MORE: Live updates as Eurovision dress rehearsals start ahead of first show in Liverpool
The event started with a dance and the audience was invited to get up and join in before the crowd was surprised by a Beatles tribute act doing a rendition of All You Need is Love.
A Ukrainian Community Choir then took to the stage and sang 'We are from Ukraine'. A mother hand in hand with her daughter came into the centre of the square and raised the flag of their homeland to applause from the crowd.
Evangelina Zamula, 16, left Kyiv last year with her mum and nephew and was the translator at the event. She said: "We found a sponsor in Liverpool and it was a great decision.
"But it was hard to leave home, I left everything behind and at first we thought the war would last a week and then go back home. I have had to start my life over again, everything is new and it can be hard to understand what your purpose for being here is.
"But in Liverpool I found a place to get an education and sing which is what I love to do. I think Liverpool is lovely and the people are more open love chatting, and are very helpful. I would just like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped our country."
Bootle's own Eurovision, was a multicultural event, with a Scottish Ceilidh band, opera, a Ukrainian flash mob, and even a Brazilian rock band performing. The acts were a hit with the crowd with laughter and cheers heard throughout the Strand.
Liudmyla Sergiienko, 39, left her husband and family behind to come to Liverpool with her nine-year-old son Daniel and organised the Ukrainian Community Choir for the event.
She told the ECHO: "I'm so happy that by chance I ended up here, and the event was the perfect idea. I'm so thankful for everyone who helped to organise it, it has been so much fun. We sang these songs to show the strength of our people and it was great to celebrate our culture.
"I'm so excited for Eurovision and the support for Ukraine from the people of Liverpool has been amazing. The city is running the event on behalf of us and it is perfect. I'm overwhelmed with all the emotions I'm feeling."
The most poignant moment came when a group of Ukrainian dancers took to the stage. As they moved in perfect unison to the music, the sound of bombs dropping continued through the crowd. When the dance was over, there was silence in the square as people stopped and looked at each other, before applause filled the room.
It was a moment that made the planning all worthwhile for Annie Spiers who organised the event in conjunction with her charity In Another Place and Sefton Performers Network. She also hosted the event with Abi Horsfield. They were both decked out in glamorous gowns.
She said: "It was Eurovision and every year the presenters always wear the most glittery and glamorous outfits, so we thought we would do the same.
"We decided that maybe we can have a Eurovision event for ourselves and thought it would be lovely to involve the Ukrainian community as well. It has been so beautiful and felt like this was a chance for Ukrainians to show that they are a people with a whole history behind them, not just refugees escaping a war."
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