The sound of seagulls near the Mersey always reminds Anatoliy Gnezdilov of home.
Originally from the port city of Odesa in the south of Ukraine, he left his hometown on the Black Sea not too long after Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula. Since arriving in the UK, he has lived in London, Brighton and Plymouth, but Liverpool is somewhere that feels most like home.
“Maritime cities are really alike,” Anatoliy, or Tony to his friends, told the ECHO, “people are relaxed, they smile more, they enjoy life,” adding: “Liverpool is the place I want to stay for a long time.”
READ MORE: Losing everything and arriving in Liverpool with just a rucksack
Liverpool wasn’t previously home to a large, established Ukrainian community, but one has steadily grown since Russia’s full scale and illegal invasion of its neighbouring country in February 2022. The UK’s Homes for Ukraine scheme has seen households across the region provide sponsorship and a safe place to stay for Ukrainian refugees fleeing their home country.
The programme has therefore seen a new Ukrainian community spring up in Merseyside. With knowledge of the area and its culture, Tony has been coordinating an online network of Ukrainians to keep in touch, ask questions and support one another.
This has introduced him to Daryna Ushkanovs, 31, a former estate agent in Kyiv who was forced to flee her home city with her family once Russian bombs started to fall. Since arriving in Liverpool she has begun to settle thanks to the help of places like New Brighton and Crosby beach.
She said the warmth of the people has been a key factor too. Although the Scouse accent brings with it its own charms and complications.
Daryna told the ECHO: “I like the British people's mentality. The small talk and 'hi love', ‘thanks love’, ‘bye love’ it is so nice.
“The accent is the biggest problem though,” she joked, “I cannot [always] understand what you say.”
Daryna’s connection to the city in fact goes back to 2018 when she was managing a traditional restaurant in Kyiv which served hundreds of Liverpool fans ahead of the Champions League final. While the bubbly remained on ice for the Reds on that occasion, it was brought out last autumn when it was revealed the Eurovision Song Contest would be coming to her new home city.
“I was so happy, we bought champagne and we celebrated like Ukraine had won,” she said, “it’s a great chance for people to come here and [enjoy] both Liverpool and Ukrainian culture.”
Veronika Yasynska, 29, also came to Liverpool from Kyiv. After the war began she stayed in a basement with five other families before making her way to the west of the country where she worked to help people find shelter.
Eventually arriving in Liverpool, she said this gave her the opportunity to “help and support my country on a wider and bigger scale.” This has come in the form of joining the Culture Liverpool team and working on the Discover Ukraine programme for this year’s event, taking on the role of manager.
She told the ECHO: “[Eurovision] is here through sad circumstances, but I am so proud that each person can know more about Ukrainian culture and how rich our cultural heritage actually is. I am really humbled that everyone is speaking about my country. It is something I couldn't imagine a year ago.
“By doing this, my team and everyone, they are supporting our victory and they a crucial part of our victory in this war.”
However the transition into living in a new home isn't straight forward. Always at the front of the mind is ongoing fighting back home.
Veronika added: "[It is like] living in two parallel realities to be honest. It is [a] different reality.
"During my work, I can receive a lot of alarm sirens in place in Kyiv because of the potential attack. There is constant anxiety inside of you, beside you, behind you - but [it is] something that encourages me a lot that our soldiers are still fighting.
"Their bravery inspires me a lot. It gives me a sense that I can stay strong and be brave - as all Ukrainians are."
While Eurovision has brought much needed positivity to those who saw their lives in Ukraine turned upside down, enormous challenges remain for the refugees that are still adapting to the city. Anna Ekvist came to Liverpool from Ukraine seven years ago but has spent much of the last year working as an engagement officer for the Big Help Project - a charity that has been supporting refugees across the city.
Each Friday the organisation hosts a drop in run by Anna. “I saw how hard it was for them,” she said, noting how she wanted to help with translation and signposting services for them to access across the region.
She said the first few meetings many people cried as they talked of what had happened to their home cities and towns. A bond has since been built up by those in similar situations here in Liverpool.
“We wanted people to stay and to forget for a few hours,” said Anna, adding: “It is about showing them that they are welcome. For a couple of hours they are smiling.
“With Eurovision in Liverpool, it is like a little piece of Ukraine.”
Mariia Gouvernik, 23, is originally from Donetsk in the east of Ukraine but moved to Kyiv following the fighting and growing Russian invasion of the region in 2014. She then left the capital and arrived in Merseyside in April 2022, telling the ECHO how she “loved it here”.
She said: “It’s very integrated. The queer community here is amazing. I have a huge community centred around myself. That is something I value the most.”
But some of the challenges Anna mentioned are shared by Mariia. She said while she feels safe here in the UK, it is important to not lose sight of the hardship many refugees face - even while their home culture is being celebrated and broadcast into homes.
While some refugees have been adapting to life here in Liverpool, they have taken the opportunity to work on the event which bears their home nation’s colours. This includes Vira Hetman, 26, who is working as one of the volunteers that are essential to the main event and the cultural programme across the city.
“It will be amazing,” she told the ECHO, speaking about her excitement for the contest and the events leading up to it, “it’s uplifting [to know that] there will be more attention for Ukrainian culture.”
Originally from Lyviv, Rev. Dr Taras Khomych has taken a different path to Liverpool, arriving here to work as a lecturer at Liverpool Hope University just over 10 years ago. But the forthcoming contest instils just as much pride as it does for those who’ve come to the city in more precarious circumstances.
Speaking about his time in the city, he said: “As a family, we experienced a warm welcome from our neighbours, colleagues at work. People were very friendly and we felt immediately at home.”
His sons have gone on to be part of the choir at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, with Rev Dr. Taras now leading his own congregation from St Sebastian's Roman Catholic church in Fairfield. In recent months its numbers have grown as it welcomed new members arriving in the city from Ukraine - who can also now use a newly opened Ukrainian Community centre.
As for how Eurovision can draw his two homes closer together, he added: “In Liverpool, everybody wants to show the solidarity of the people of Ukraine which is very heartening for us. The community really feels proud - in a very positive sense.
“Ukrainian people love Eurovision and would love to host, but because of this brutal war it's not possible. Despite this we can see the expression of support with Ukraine from Liverpudlians. We are grateful for this and we want people to also strengthen the links between the local community and different organisations.”
The feeling of cultures overlapping and being shared is also felt by Anna Troan, 38, who arrived in Liverpool in September after fleeing Kyiv. Working as an interior designer, she said she has found new inspiration since first settling in Formby and taking in the natural landscapes.
“You have an amazing place and beautiful beaches,” she told the ECHO, “I love the people here, people are so open to one another.”
As for interior Scouse style, this is something she is also being charmed by. “In Ukraine it was more of a minimalist style,” she said, “but Liverpool is very different. The fabric, the colours, it is not minimalist at all - I love it. I also love the mix of traditional and modern architecture [around the city].”
When the contest is over and the Eurovision branding has been taken down across the city, a legacy will hopefully remain with those Ukrainians who've found safety and a home here in Liverpool. The opportunity to share one another’s culture is what many hope will continue.
“British people coming to Ukraine after the war, that is my dream,” said Daryna.
Order your 48-page Eurovision souvenir guide from our online shop
READ NEXT:
Ultimate guide for Eurovision Song Contest week in Liverpool
Merseyrail announces late night Eurovision timetable
Rylan Clark opens Eurovision LGBTQ+ safe space 'where all are welcome' ahead of Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest announces its Semi-Final interval acts
Plan your Eurovision Song Contest itinerary with the VisitLiverpool App
