Liverpool’s Lord Mayor described winning Eurovision as “bittersweet” and vowed to do everything he could to honor the city’s Ukrainian sister city.
Following Liverpool’s last-week victory in winning the right to host the 2023 European Song Contest, Councillor Roy Gladden wrote to the Mayor of Odesa.
After it was determined that the winner from the previous year, Ukraine, would not be able to host, the city won a competition to host the event.
He claimed that it would honor Ukrainian culture while adding a “scouse twist.”
After meeting with the city’s culture team to discuss the next show, BBC director general Tim Davie commended Liverpool for its “energy,” “warmth,” and “record of delivering excellent events.”
The competition in May was won by the Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra, and the winner often hosts the competition the following year.
Due to the conflict in Ukraine, the competition cannot be held in the nation; however, the UK stepped in as a result of Sam Ryder’s second-place finish.
The Lord Mayor of Liverpool expressed his “proudness” that Liverpool would host in place of Ukraine on May 13 in a letter to the Mayor of Odesa Gennadiy Trukhanov, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
“It was a bittersweet moment when it was revealed that we had won.
“We recognize that this is your occasion, and regrettably, you and your colleagues from around your nation should be collaborating on arrangements to host the tournament in 2023.
“Ukraine is at the center of our Eurovision plans. We will do all possible to promote your culture, your people, and your country. We’re sure you’ll approve of our scouse twist.”
Mr. Davie said Liverpool’s ability to host the competition on behalf of Ukraine was a “great honor” and “joyous.”
He told BBC Radio Merseyside that Liverpool “has a strong reputation of producing great events.”
“This location has a soul, and its past and energies have meaning.
He continued,
“This will be a professionally integrated production where we are giving justice to Ukrainian culture.
“When discussing Liverpool, the word “warmth” frequently comes up as well as the idea of bringing people together. Boy, do we need it; these are not easy times.
Being a part of anything that puts us near Ukraine is crucial to this event, he continued.
Let the melodies of all of Europe ring over the River Mersey, Odesa, and its mayor urged in support of Liverpool during the bidding process, stating it “fully embodies the brilliance of the event and reveals the true variety within togetherness.”
Odesa and Liverpool established their first connections in 1957, while the city was still a part of the Soviet Union.
After World War Two, when connections were made with the Black Sea port, city leaders pursued a robust program of twinning with neighboring cities.
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