Liverpool's Eurovision is "centre stage'" and doing things "never done before" in the city.
Last year, Liverpool was announced as the host city of Eurovision for 2023, after winners Ukraine could not hold the competition for safety and security reasons due to the ongoing invasion by Russia. So far, Liverpool has hosted The Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade, the EuroVillage has opened its gates, the Eurovision 2023 Welcome Party has been thrown and the second semi final will soon be underway.
When Claire McColgan and Harry Doyle decided they were going to launch Liverpool's bid to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, they didn't know what to expect. Ms McColgan, the Director of Liverpool Council's hugely successful culture team, has a famous track record of putting on major events including the Giants Spectacular and Liverpool's Champions League trophy parade in 2019
Read More:
- Full EuroVillage timetable on Thursday, May 11 for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool
- Eurovision fans break into Norway song in Liverpool ONE
Cllr Harry Doyle is the city council's cabinet member for Culture and has been heavily involved in all things Eurovision with a huge team contributing to make everything possible. But one thing has always been clear for the pair, that Ukraine would be at the heart of Eurovision and the city would put on a great show.
As a sea of blue and yellow celebrations sweep the city, ECHO reporter Christopher Megrath caught up with Claire McColgan and Harry Doyle to hear about the ongoing Eurovision celebrations and what it means for our city. Cllr Harry Doyle told the ECHO: "The city is actually buzzing ands that's a memory that people in the city and beyond are going to have and hold for the rest of their lives. And of course, with the added extra element of Ukraine and doing it for Ukraine.
"No other city has the same level of solidarity, that sense of justice that we have. We’ve gone through some really tough times in the city, as we all know and we wanted to do Ukraine proud - and we’re absolutely going to do it."
Showcasing unity with Ukraine, the city has transformed to welcome additions such as the Soloveiko Songbirds, Protect the Beats, a two-week Eurofestival bringing together 24 separate artistic commissions - 19 of which are collaborative projects between UK and Ukrainian artists and more.
For Ms McColgan, it demonstrates how far Liverpool has come since Capital of Culture on 2008. Claire told the ECHO: "I was part of 2008 and there was so much. Looking back on it, on the build up, there was so much faff around it in some ways, so much wasted time.
"But we haven't got any time to waste. We had six months so everything had to happen at speed. I've done both and I think this is more impactful actually than Capital of Culture and that for me is incredible.
"Both different times in the city’s life - so in 2008 we were still trying to prove ourselves - this feels like we are absolutely centre stage and we have arrived in the city. It feels a completely different city to me - confident and aspirational and joyful and compassionate.
"In 2008 we still felt a little bit needy in some ways cause it’s the first time we’d done something like that. 20 years later look at us - it’s incredible. What I love about this is we’re hosting on behalf of another country in our house.
"It makes you feel so proud that people are there loving it. You're proud about the work that’s been done. We’ve worked with artists who are in bunkers over the phone and politicians - it's really surreal and you're so proud and everyone in Liverpool feels so proud because we've done it well for another country."
Cllr Doyle said in the last few days, Liverpool has done things "we've never done before" and he has high hopes that Liverpool will "set the standard" for events elsewhere going forward. And already, the city has seen an economic benefit that will reap in years to come.
Cllr Doyle said: "There are some sceptical people as well about how much does Eurovison generate etc. We spent as a city council perspective, £2 million on the bid and actually that’s for the contest. We actually spent nothing in terms of getting the bid it was all in house.
"£2 million we’ve put towards this, match funded by the combined authority another £2 million - but already we've had 10 to 15 million cash invested from government, from lottery from spirit of 2012. Already, that £2 million has gone such a long way, that’s before we we've even talked about the economic impacts,.
"The city is just rammed with the moment, everyone’s buzzing - the bars, the restaurants, hotels, all our small independent businesses. They're all benefitting right now and that echoing impact will be measured - it’s huge."
For the first time in Eurovision history, viewers watching in eligible countries not participating in the 2023 competition will also be able to vote in both semi-finals and the Grand Final. The second semi-final takes place on tonight, May 11, at 8pm, with the grand final taking place on Saturday, May 13, on BBC One at 8pm.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Read Next:
- Eurovision contestants through the years from Grammy winner to famous soap star
- 71 stand-out Eurovision 2023 outfits bringing the fun to Liverpool
- Finland Eurovision 2023 lyrics for Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä
- 17 photos show Liverpool the last time the UK hosted Eurovision
- Eurovision Song Contest winners and songs from the last decade
