Liverpool has officially received the keys to Eurovision after a momentous ceremony in St George's Hall.
The event marked the unofficial start of Eurovision season with representatives from the previous and current nation's host city meeting to "handover" the event. The ceremony was broadcast live on BBC Two with Rylan Clark and AJ Odudu presenting.
After The Mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo, gave Liverpool Mayor, Joanne Anderson some advice on hosting Eurovision, the pair shook hands to mark the official start of the event being held in Liverpool.
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Mayor Lo Russo said to Mayor Anderson: "A little bit of advice - enjoy the event, include everybody, engage the whole city, be proud for such an incredible international stage for you, for Ukraine and for peace."
She thanked him for his kind words, adding: "For me, it started on Sunday when we met and you talked all the wonderful impact that Eurovision has on your city. I'm really proud to be able to host Eurovision for Liverpool but especially proud to do it on behalf of Ukraine."
To celebrate the momentous occasion Liverpool monuments such as the Liver Building and St George's Hall were lit up in Eurovision colours, purple and blue.
The international music show will take place at the 11,000-capacity Liverpool Arena in May, culminating in the grand final on Saturday 13, after the city was chosen to host the competition on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine.
Following the official handover of the keys, the Eurovision allocation was announced for the voting countries and which semi-finals countries will be performing in.
It was announced Germany, France and Italy will vote in the first semi-final with Ukraine, Spain and the UK voting in the second.
Countries performing in the first semi-final are Serbia, Latvia, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Moldova, Switzerland, Israel, Netherlands, Finland, Azerbaijan, Malta, Czech Republic, and Slovenia.
The second semi-final includes Armenia, Cyprus, Romania, Denmark, Belgium, Albania, Australia, Austria, Lithuania, San Marino, Iceland, Georgia, Greece, Poland and Estonia.
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