Ukrainians who now call Merseyside home have shared what they would like to see at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest.
The Song Contest is being hosted by the UK in Liverpool despite Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra triumphing at the 2022 competition in Turin, Italy. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces the annual event, decided the show couldn’t be safely held in the Eastern European country following Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The UK has previously held the contest on multiple occasions on behalf of other countries with Brighton hosting in 1974 for Luxembourg following their back-to-back win and Edinburgh hosting in 1972 for Monaco as the country did not have the proper facilities the EBU required to host the contest.
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This year, on behalf of Ukraine, Liverpool is set to host the annual competition in the M&S Bank Arena across the week beginning Monday, May 8. The week will be jam-packed with official and unofficial events happening across the region every single day.
Ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, we asked Merseyside-based Ukrainians how they would like their home country to be represented on a local level.
Rev. Dr Taras Khomych, the chair of Liverpool’s branch of the Association of Ukraine In Great Britain, told the ECHO: “As a Ukrainian, I would like to see Ukraine in the focus, its culture, history and its present situation, so as to remind the rest of the world why the UK had to step in instead of Ukraine.
“Ukrainians love Eurovision. They would be delighted to host the event in their beloved native country but because of the ongoing terrible war, they are unable to do that.
The Hope University senior lecturer in theology said he would love to see “Ukrainian folks actively participating” in the song contest before adding: “I am delighted some members of our local community were involved already in the preparations for the bidding process and now an increasing number of Ukrainians, including children of various ages, are taking part in various projects in preparation of Eurovision 2023 across Merseyside.
“I do hope these event helps to establish new links and synergies, and fosters further development of the city region. This edition of the Eurovision song contest is unique and it is a beautiful expression of solidarity with Ukraine and Ukrainians. We are grateful for this and we pray for the success of this important event.”
Mariia Goubernik, who now lives in Wavertree, said: "I would definitely love for Liverpool to have a big representation of Ukraine and the situation happening right now in the country, it is so deserved. Eurovision is a very political competition and I’m tired of people hiding behind the illusion that it isn’t."
The 23-year-old sex therapist and blogger added: “If it is to be a Ukrainian-styled Eurovision then we need to talk about the war and things that people don’t always want to speak about. I see the messages about unity and solidarity but this unity needs to be realistic.
"It’s not only about showing there are Ukrainians in Liverpool and how the UK are willing to help, but it is also about the negative sides and how Ukrainians who come to the UK still struggle.
"We need to stop avoiding the important questions around struggle. Ukrainians who come over here don’t have a perfect and happy life - we struggle with employment, the cost of living crisis and housing. It is simply unrealistic.
"Eurovision is a great opportunity to raise these problems and struggles and look for answers to solve them. So much finance and power are circulating around Eurovision so why not use it to promote these purposes?"
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