The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be staged in the English city of Liverpool, the BBC said Friday, after Britain was asked to hold the event on behalf of designated host country Ukraine.
Oleh Psiuk, frontman of Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra during an interview with The Associated Press in Turin, Italy, Thursday May 5, 2022. Ukrainian band Kalush Orchestra’s upbeat, melodic entry to this month’s Eurovision Song Contest was written as a tribute to the frontman’s mother. But since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the song called “Stefania” has become an anthem to the country’s war-ravaged motherland. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)Natalia Gordienko from Moldova performs at the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, May 20, 2021.(AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
The birthplace of The Beatles beat Glasgow, Scotland, the other U.K. finalist. In all, seven British cities had applied to hold the pan-continental music competition. The 2023 Eurovision final will be held on May 13.
FILE – Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine singing Stefania perform during the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Palaolimpico arena, in Turin, Italy, on May 14, 2022. The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be staged in the English city of Liverpool, the BBC said Friday Oct. 7, 2022, after Britain was asked to hold the event on behalf of designated host country Ukraine. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)
Ukraine won the right to host the pop extravaganza when its entry, folk-rap ensemble Kalush Orchestra, won this year’s contest. Britain’s Sam Ryder came second.
Organizers concluded it was too risky to stage the event in Ukraine, so the 2023 contest went to Britain, which says the event will be a celebration of Ukrainian culture and creativity.
Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine singing ‘Stefania’ performs during the final dress rehearsal at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
BBC Director-General Tim Davie said Liverpool, “the undisputed capital of pop music,” would be “an amazing host.” British Prime Minister Liz Truss said on Twitter that “Liverpool will put on an unforgettable show which celebrates the rich culture and creativity of Ukraine.”
Kalush Orchestra said it was pleased with the choice.
Anxhela Peristeri from Albania performs at the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, May 20, 2021.(AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
“Playing in the same place that The Beatles started out will be a moment we’ll never forget!” the band said. “Although we are sad that next year’s competition cannot take place in our homeland, we know that the people of Liverpool will be warm hosts and the organizers will be able to add a real Ukrainian flavor to Eurovision 2023 in this city.”
Andromache from Cyprus singing ‘Ela’ performs during the second semi final at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy, Thursday, May 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Founded in 1956 to help unite a continent scarred by World War II, Eurovision has grown to include more than 40 countries, including non-European nations such as Israel and Australia.
Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine singing ‘Stefania’ performs during the final dress rehearsal at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin, Italy, Friday, May 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Organizers strive to keep pop and politics apart — banning overtly political symbols and lyrics — but global tensions have often imposed themselves on the contest. Russia was kicked out of this year’s competition because of its invasion of Ukraine.
Blind Channel from Finland perform at the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest at Ahoy arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, May 20, 2021.(AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
