After an extraordinary six-month commissioning spree, the city of Liverpool is opening its heart to a Eurovision song contest unlike any other. It was clear from the beginning that this would not simply be about one venue and 180 million television viewers, but would draw the docks and streets of this maritime city into an extended party that would continue for weeks.
With only days to go before the grand final on 13 May, one memorable image is already bobbing about in the Royal Albert Dock: a 10-metre globe printed with images of the Earth taken from space by Nasa. The Nelson Monument in front of the town hall has, meanwhile, been cocooned in 2,500 sandbags. This is a reference to the protection of historic monuments in Ukraine which, as the contest’s previous winner, would itself be hosting the celebration were it not currently under bombardment and occupation. More positive signs of an entente cordiale between the two communities are everywhere, from a Ukrainian video installation in the cathedral to giant Ukrainian nightingales lighting up the parks.
