Liverpool is tantalisingly close to being named the next city to host the Eurovision Song Contest.
The city is down to the final two in the race to host the showpiece event next year, with only Glasgow currently standing in its way. A decision is expected in the coming days which will reveal the city that has been chosen.
This year's contest was won by the Ukrainian entrants Kalush Orchestra. However the winning country is unable to host next year's event because of the Russian invasion.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp backs 'party city' Liverpool to host Eurovision
The UK came second this year thanks to Sam Ryder's efforts. As the runner up it was decided that the UK would host next year's Eurovision Song Contest. A number of UK cities put bids forward and earlier this month it was announced that Liverpool and Glasgow had made it to the final two.
DON'T MISS:Covid symptom 'more common' than loss of smell as new wave hits UK
Live updates as Thomas Cashman accused of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel appears in court
Massive police convoy escorts Thomas Cashman to court after charge for Olivia shooting
Now - as we await that final decision - the ECHO can reveal more details of what would make up Liverpool's spectacular bid for Eurovision. It would include a huge cultural programme spanning several months - and a a range of special tributes and overtures to the people and culture of Ukraine.
Full cultural programme
If there is one thing Liverpool knows how to do, it is throw a big party. The city council is working on plans for a full cultural programme that would celebrate UK music, Eurovision and most importantly would give a platform to celebrate Ukrainian culture.
At the core of this will be a major programme of artist exchange and co-production between Ukrainian and Liverpool-based artists.
Working specifically with our sister city Odesa and their creative community, Liverpool's bid aims to 'deliver an extraordinary celebration of Ukrainian culture' that will shine a spotlight on the country and also create a major community outreach programme across the city.
he programme would begin at Easter running all the way through to Eurovision itself in May.
Proposed projects
The proposed projects for Liverpool's Eurovision cultural programme will include:
Street Art – Liverpool is a city which loves outdoor art – the bigger the better. The council says it will work with a range of Ukrainian street artists alongside iconic British street art names to create a takeover of the city.
Fashion – The city would work with celebrated Ukrainian designers to create the designs and outfits for its event volunteers and other key delegates. This would likely reference the traditional Vyshyvanka (embroieded shirt) in a contemporary way.
Liverpool's organisers also want to create a showcase for Vinoks – the stunning Ukrainian head dresses which have become a symbol of resistance with a call out for both Ukrainian and UK makers and designers to create their own versions which will be used to dress statues and iconic monuments across the city.
This will be an evolution of the award winning Statues Redressed project which the city delivered in 2021 with Sky Arts.
Pysanka – These painted eggs are a central part of Ukrainian culture around Easter. Liverpool would work with a collection of well known artists and musicians from the UK and Ukraine to create an extraordinary collection of pysanka which will go on display in central Liverpool.
Alongside this, the Liverpool team will use Pysanka as the central part of its schools and community outreach programme – using it as the launch pad to explore other key elements of Ukrainian culture.
Kharkiv - a fellow UNESCO city of music - is already looking to bring its orchestra to the city to work alongside the local music scene.
Sonia - Nothing to do with Ukraine this one, but you can't talk about Eurovision in Liverpool without talking about Sonia. The council has suggested it will honour the Scouse Eurovision legend with a city-wide game of seek. There will be 20 cut outs of Sonia around the city that people will be challenged to find.
Claire McColgan, Director for Culture Liverpool said: “Eurovision is so much more than the mega show people all over the world see on the TV. The cultural, business and education programmes we are putting together would run for three months - kicking off around Easter.
“If we are chosen as host city there’s no question Eurovision will take over Liverpool in a way no single event has ever done before.
“The scale and impact will be huge, even compared to events like the giants, the three queens, or football parades. Eurovision itself is really a two-week long event and as such it would provide a major boost for our tourism and hospitality sectors just when they need it the most, just as European City of Culture did in 2008.
“We are also working hard behind the scenes to ensure communities right across the city will be fully engaged.”
Robin Kemp, Head of Creative at Culture Liverpool said: “Some of the initial projects we’ve been developing to happen around the main Eurovision show are really designed to use Liverpool as a stage to celebrate and support Ukraine. This is their party, it just happens to be in our house.
“The conversations we’ve already started have been both exciting and really humbling, especially with our sister city Odesa and colleagues in Kharkiv. They are just as excited at the potential to do something as ambitious, unique and memorable as we are.
“We want to create a moment in time that is unlike anything in the history of Eurovision - or of this city – that captures its spirit and showcases Ukraine’s culture blended with the UK’s in a way only we can do.”
READ MORE:
Police back digging on the moors for Ian Brady's victim Keith Bennett as skull found
Mum missing for over a week found following 'extensive enquiries'
'Beautiful' young woman dies after Adelphi Hotel wardrobe 'crushes windpipe'
People in criminal world 'aren't happy' after Olivia's murder
Arriva removes annual leave for striking workers
READ MORE: Motorists urged to check the back of their driving licences
