The line-up for a thrilling two-week festival which will take over Liverpool in the run-up to Eurovision in May has been announced.
Eurofestival is a fusion collaboration between British and Ukrainian artists to demonstrate the power of music and art.
The jam-packed launch event teased exciting events all across Liverpool to showcase British and Ukrainian culture.
Featuring roller-skating jellyfish, drag, opera and much more, Eurofestival promises to deliver.
One of the most ambitious projects is the Soloveiko Songbirds.
Each one is a unique illuminated sculpture, representing each of the regions of Ukraine and representing the nightingale, the national bird of Ukraine.
Eurovision 2016 winner Jamala, who won with “1944”, will debut her powerful new album based on Crimean Tatar folk songs accompanied by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra on May 11.
Joanne Anderson, mayor of Liverpool, said: “We’re paying homage to the culture and heritage of both Liverpool and Ukraine in the most unforgettable way.”
She stressed the importance of putting Ukraine at the heart of the celebrations to understand the war’s impact on Ukrainian culture.
“This Eurovision is for everyone, its accessible, joyous, thought-provoking, colourful, community led and inclusive.
“But most importantly its a celebration of unity.”
Stuart Andrew, minister for culture and media, was full of praise for everyone involved in the festival and emphasised how much the competition means to people.
161 million people watched the 2022 contest.
He said: “It is a great honour for us, to be hosting the Eurovision song contest on behalf of Ukraine.
“The BBC and Liverpool are putting on one hell of a show.
“They will make the Ukraine and UK very proud.”
Speaking to MerseyNewsLive, Iryna Muha talked about her fusion dance group Eurotopia and how excited she was.
She said: “Cross collaboration with other cultures is so important, for us Ukrainians it’s very important that we are represented.
“Two nations are holding the torch of Ukraine. It’s very important to bring across our traditions to share with the communities in which we’re living.”
An initial call out for artists in December garnered almost 700 responses of which 50 were shortlisted.
The chosen commissions were selected through a process which included the BBC, British Council, Ukrainian Institute and Culture Liverpool.
🎤Liverpool unveils the #EuroFestival lineup taking over the city before #Eurovision2023 including 19 collaborations between UK and Ukrainian artists.
We are proud to be partners of this grand event together with @UA_Institute 🎆
See the details here: https://t.co/NOHYnJTz0F pic.twitter.com/oaWZfHwzqr
— British Council (@uaBritish) March 29, 2023
#News | The big reveal is here! Today we announce #EuroFestival, 24 cultural commissions which will take over the city in the run-up to @Eurovision to a room full of press + media from across the world. Read all about it here 🎉👉https://t.co/3yRclhvGoc pic.twitter.com/Ta4UdBeCdF
— Culture Liverpool (@CultureLPool) March 28, 2023
