Excitement is building as the EuroFestival launches in Liverpool.
The ECHO previously reported on the full line up for the two-week programme, which is set to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest. EuroFestival presents 24 commissions to showcase the uniting power of music and art.
Liverpool will see 12 huge lit-up nightingales, the national bird of Ukraine, and a Ukrainian Eurovision Song Contest winner perform as part of a series of events which will take place around the same time as the international competition.
READ MORE: EuroFestival line-up in full announced as Liverpool set to host Eurovision Song Contest
The Soloveiko Songbirds - which will have accompanied audio to represent different regions of Ukraine and are designed with unique plumage - are one of the 24 commissions announced by EuroFestival on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, images showed the exciting launch of the Eurovision EuroFestival which was held at the British Music Experience in Liverpool. Performers could be seen around the city dressed up, with smiles all around despite the rain.
Performers dressed as jellyfish on roller-skates could be seen at the waterfront's iconic Beatles statue before posing outside at the BME.
As crowds gathered for speeches and performances, also on display was Sam Ryder's Space Man jumpsuit. Sam Ryder came second last year with Ukraine's Kalush Orchestra taking first place.
Speaking about EuroFestival, the director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan, said it will be "unique in every sense" as she added: "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.
"This is the spirit of Eurovision spilling onto our streets. Free for all. Accessible to all. Uniting us all."
The main stage of the Eurovision Village will see performances from Welcome To Eurotopia, a supergroup made up of Liverpool musicians collaborating with Ukrainian artists, and 2016 Eurovision winner Jamala, who will perform her new Crimean Tatar folk song album Qirim, accompanied by the BBC Philharmonic orchestra.
Ukrainian singer-songwriter Jamala said: "During these dark times for Ukraine, the presentation of the new album in Liverpool is an essential mission for me. Just like the most precious memories of our lives, we cherish our culture as the most valuable treasure."
Other points of interest include With Fire And Rage, an immersive audio experience accessed via QR codes located around the city which follows the stories of frontline Ukrainian artists, and The Unity Theatre, which will also see Urkland: Stories From Ukraine along with other theatre performance.
The Nelson Monument in Exchange Flags will be surrounded by more than 2,500 sandbags for the art project Protect The Beats to replicate the way statues in Ukraine are being protected from bombardment.
Esther Simpson, director of Whispered Tales, who is behind the idea, added: "Embedded within the artwork is a short film created with Ukrainian musicians that features soldiers singing on the front line, late-night raves in Kyiv's metro station and an underground gig in an air raid shelter."
Elsewhere, fans will be able to experience an LGBT+ focused three-day festival in Chavasse Park featuring drag and performances called EuroCamp Presents, as well as Xpressia Festival, an underground counterculture event, The People's Flag - a mass participation dance event, and film festival Storyville Live from the BBC Four documentary series.
Eurovision minister Stuart Andrew said: "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."
EuroFestival takes place from May 1 to 14 throughout Liverpool.
The schedule is as follows:
Big Eurovision Read: Liverpool Central Library, launching April
Protect the Beats: Exchange Flags, May 1- 14, 10 am - 9 pm
Sound of Freedom: Tempest Hey Building, Liverpool, May 1 -14
National Museums Liverpool x Eurovision: National Museums Liverpool May 1 - 14
With Fire and Rage: Multiple sites throughout the city, trail starts at Everyman Theatre, May 1- 14
Soloveiko Songbird: Trail locations can be found across Liverpool city centre, May 1 - 14
Queerovision: Onlne, May 1- 14
Dialogues: The Bluecoat, May 1 - 14
Izyum to Liverpool: Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, May 1 - 19
Chornobyldorf: Invisible Wind Factory, May 1 -2
A Place of Hope: Unity Theatre, May 2 - 5 and 9 - 11
Late at Tate Liverpool: The Spirit of Eurovision: Tate, May 4, 6 pm - 10 pm
Home: Open Eye Gallery, May 5 - July
The People's Flag: Online, May 5
The Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade: Various across the city centre, May 5, 6 pm - 9 pm
Welcome to Eurotopia: Pier Head, EurovisionVillage - Main Stage, May 5
Xpressia Festival: Various underground locations, TBC
Rave UKraine: Content, May 7
Eurocamp presents...: Chavasse Park, Liverpool One, May 8 - 10, 1 pm - 9 pm. Free
Jamala presents QIRIM to the world: Pier Head, EurovisionVillage - Main Stage, May 11
Storyville Live: Everyman Cinema, Metquarter, May 11 - 12
You’re A Vision!: Liverpool Everyman Theatre, May 12
ENO does Eurovision: Pier Head, EurovisionVillage - Main Stage, May 13
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