Eurovision is coming to Liverpool and we're just as excited as Verka Serduchka when she puts on her glittery silver dress to go out dancing!
Whilst we’re still a little bit gutted that Manchester won’t be hosting the grand song contest on behalf of Ukraine this year, we’re certainly buzzing for Liverpool - especially now that details of their ‘euphoric, engaging, and entertaining’ celebration plans have been unveiled.
As part of the build-up to the grand final of Eurovision on Saturday, May 13, Liverpool has decided to go big on the pre-party with a massive two-week free festival taking place across the city - a first for any host city.
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The EuroFestival, which will run from May 1-14, will feature 24 cultural commissions including light-up nightingales, a ‘mass participation’ dance event, a performance from former Ukrainian Eurovision winner Jamala and a three-day LGBTQ+ music festival.
Liverpool was chosen to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest after it was decided that last year’s winners Ukraine could not host the event due to safety and security concerns.
Following Sam Ryder’s second place triumph for the UK, it was decided the country would step in to host the event for Ukraine. 19 of this year’s EuroFestival projects will be specifically between artists in the UK and Ukraine in honour of Kalush Orchestra’s big victory.
Liverpool described the EuroFestival as ‘unique in every sense’ and said the free and accessible event would ensure the spirit of Eurovision ‘spilled onto the streets’.
Claire McColgan CBE, director of Culture Liverpool, said: “No other Eurovision host city has ever curated a creative programme of such scale and scope, paying homage to the culture and heritage of both Liverpool and Ukraine in the most unforgettable way.
“Evocative, thought-provoking, joyous, celebratory, reflective, hopeful – these 24 commissions cover the whole gambit of emotions which will draw in the audience and make them really feel truly part of this Eurovision experience.
“It’s a programme of glorious brilliance, made by artists with open hearts and the will and commitment to present a show in less than five months, to reach across countries and genres and to produce this Scouse/Ukrainian mashup of brilliance.”
One of the most ambitious EuroFestival projects will be Soloveiko Songbirds, a trail of 12 large-scale, light-up nightingales dotted around the city. Each bird will feature a unique plumage and bespoke audio soundscapes representing different parts of Ukraine.
Protect the Beats, held at the Nelson Monument in Exchange Flags, will consist of thousands of soundbags replicating how statues in Ukraine are currently being protected from bombardment. The structure will also feature a new short documentary highlighting how, despite the Russian invasion, music and performance has continued to thrive in the country in the last year.
Land & Sky, Home & Dreams will be a mass participation event by 450 children from Ukraine and 450 more from across Merseyside. It will consist of a wide selection of kites, designed and painted by the children, that will be flown in New Brighton and four locations in Ukraine.
Welcome To Eurotopia on May 5 will please music fans as a ‘supergroup’ of Liverpool musicians collaborate with Ukrainian artists. Performing both original and existing music, the performance is expected to feature the likes of Liverpool’s Natalie McCool and Stealing Sheep, alongside Ukraine artists Krapka Koma and Iryna Muha.
Jamala, who won the Eurovision Song Contest for Ukraine in 2016, will premiere her new album, based around Crimean Tatar folk songs, with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra on May 11 as part of QIRIM.
With Fire and Rage will be an immersive audio experience - accessed via QR codes located around the city - featuring the unique stories of artists on the frontline in Ukraine who are performing concerts in metro stations and bomb shelters.
The Unity Theatre will be a hub for general performances including theatre pieces and poetry, alongside plenty of food stalls. The theatre will present the world premiere of Maria, featuring five refugee Ukrainian actors from across the UK, and the critically-acclaimed contemporary media-opera Chornobyldorf.
Eurocamp Presents will be a three-day (May 8-10) LGBTQ+ music festival at Chavasse Park, featuring plenty of drag, performers and voguers, including the likes of Black Gold Arts, Ginny Lemon and Jonny Woo. Whilst Storyville Live, at the Everyman Cinema, will host a series of screenings of award-winning music and Ukrainian documentaries.
XPressia Festival, celebrating underground counterculture, will also take place across the city, whilst HOME at the Open Eye Gallery will showcase a selection of work by Ukraine photographers.
The Big Eurovision Read, mass participation dance event The People’s Flag, and the digital Queerovision will also be held across the two-week festival. Fans will also be able to look for large scale mural commissions from Ukrainian and UK artists dotted across the city as part of the Sound of Freedom project too.
In addition, Ukrainian artist Alevtina Kakhidze will work alongside Liverpool-based artist Ellie Hoskins in an evolving exhibition at The Bluecoat which will see artwork gradually filling the galleries. National Museums Liverpool will also host a fabulous exhibition during the festival.
There will also be the The Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade by The Kazimier, English National Opera does Eurovision, Rave UKraine,and Izyum to Liverpool by Ukrainian artist Katya Buchatska.
Eurovision Minister Stuart Andrew said of the two-week event: "EuroFestival will be a spectacular showcase of artistic and creative talent from the UK and Ukraine in a wonderful collaboration. From installations and performances to 900 kites flown by British and Ukrainian children, this two week cultural festival will bring people together and create long-lasting memories for visitors to Liverpool as they get involved in the Eurovision Song Contest.
"This programme has Ukraine at its heart. It shows we are not only united by music but we are united in our support for our friends in Ukraine."
Tetyana Filevska, Creative Director of the Ukrainian Institute, added: “Over the past year the Ukrainian institute and British Council have run the UK/Ukraine Season of Culture which has been a great basis for EuroFestival.
“These commissions give a wonderful platform to celebrate intercultural cooperation and put Ukrainian culture and the Ukrainian language in the spotlight at a time when it is at threat. The more people know about Ukraine, the more we will be able to defend the free world and our common future.”
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