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LIVERPOOL HAS BEEN confirmed to host the Eurovision Song Contest next year.
The international music show will take place at the Liverpool Arena, culminating in the grand final on Saturday 13 May.
Eurovision is being held in the UK after this year’s winner, Ukraine, was deemed unable to host because of the Russian invasion.
Liverpool, which is twinned with the Ukrainian city of Odessa, faced Glasgow in the final run-off after a list of 20 candidates was whittled down by the BBC and European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which produces the annual event.
Graham Norton, who hosts the BBC’s coverage, revealed the host city during a special edition of The One Show this evening.
Liverpool will host #Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine…and it’s gonna be proper boss 👍
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) October 7, 2022
🇬🇧🇺🇦 Find out all about Liverpool 2023 right here: https://t.co/a1zGojGfbr pic.twitter.com/hCrSYkMAsO
It also saw the EBU unveil the official logo for the 2023 contest containing the Ukrainian flag within a heart, reflecting that the show is taking place in the UK on behalf of the country.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “While we came up against stiff competition from Glasgow, who deserve more than the nil points they have received on this occasion, nowhere is more experienced or qualified, and nowhere throws a party quite like we do.
“We want to put on a show that Ukraine would be proud of, and we have been working closely with Liverpool’s sister city of Odessa to ensure that this is their event as much as our own.
“Now the hard work begins. Putting on a show that will give millions a night they will never forget in one of the most turbulent and trying years for our continent is no mean feat.
“If anywhere is capable of it, it is the Liverpool City Region, with a little help from our friends in Ukraine.”
Kalush Orchestra, who won the 2022 contest for Ukraine, said: “We are very pleased that next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool.
“Though we haven’t had the privilege of visiting yet, the musical heritage of the city is known all over the world.
“Playing in the same place that The Beatles started out will be a moment we’ll never forget!
“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 organisers will be able to add a real Ukrainian flavour to Eurovision 2023 in this city.”
Eurovision executive supervisor Martin Osterdahl said Liverpool is “synonymous with music and Liverpool Arena exceeds all the requirements needed to stage a global event of this scale”.
He added: “We have been very impressed with the passion the city has shown in embracing the Contest and their inclusive ideas for placing last year’s winners, Ukraine, front and centre when thousands of fans visit next May.”
The BBC said both cities had provided “incredibly strong bids” and each “proposed to reflect Ukrainian culture and music in their own unique way” but that Liverpool eventually won out.
BBC director-general Tim Davie added: “Liverpool is such an exciting, warm and vibrant city.
“It’s the undisputed capital of pop music and is celebrating the 65th anniversary of its twinning with the Ukrainian city of Odessa.”
The final two cities battling it out were revealed last month following a seven-strong shortlist which also included Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.
Ukrainian entry Kalush Orchestra triumphed at the 2022 competition in Turin, Italy, but the EBU later concluded the show could not be safely held in the war-torn country.
It was decided the UK would host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, as Sam Ryder came second in the competition.
Applicant cities were asked to demonstrate how they would reflect Ukrainian culture, music and communities if they were to host on behalf of Ukraine.
This will be the ninth time the UK will have hosted the competition, more than any other country.
It’s a NO from me!
“STRIVE TO SUPPORT”
” DURABLE RELATIONSHIP”
Apart from the legal eagles that must love this vague nonsense ( lime a €€ jackpot )there’s nothing in there to say me to the yes side.
A BIG NO/NO from me
@Ken Mc Carthy: ‘sway’ me!!! even
@Ken Mc Carthy: How about ‘lime a €€ jackpot’? Some kind of code?
@Brendan O’Brien: hey hey…. I was waiting on the ‘dyslexia’ mocking— 4 minutes!!! U getting slow
@Ken Mc Carthy: You’re saying you have dyslexia?
@Brendan O’Brien: it doesn’t bother me one iota/ never hindered my career or life— its other small minded idiots that seem to have the problem with it!
@Ken Mc Carthy: I’ll stick to mocking your hero-worship of Trump and such things in future.
What qualifies as durable?
@George Vladisavljevic: no idea but you have to ‘strive to support’ it
@George Vladisavljevic: Well, you could have a durable relationship with your doctor, dog, grocer or your local handyman!
@George Vladisavljevic: Thomas Byrne FF on upfront with Katie Hannon Monday night was asked this in a debate with peader Tobin of Aontu, he hadn’t got a jot and tried bluffing his way through the answer, Tobin ran rings around him.
@Seanie: I was watching that……like seriously……Thomas byrne was the best they could put ‘out to bat’?? Tobin didn’t even have to try very hard…….. byrne scored plenty of own goals
@George Vladisavljevic: the durable bunny
(Vote NO) to this lieing government they have gone rogue deliberately trying to feed misinformation to the Irish people to get a yes vote it NO .and if they try to get it passed a second time it will be NO again.
I think this referendum will very well display that the loud, vocal, right wing commentary as seen in the comments section of the journal are not at all representative of the views of the general population. It’s all, no/no on here but this referendum will easily pass.
Empty can makes most noise!
@Soundy Sound: if it does easily pass I would be very worried for the critical thinking of the nation.
I don’t see it passing but it depends on the profile of the turnout. Unfortunatly we have ppl who will just vote for whatever the govt say without looking at what being asked to vote for.
Your constitution is the last protection against government overreach. Unless you are 100% certain of what the change will cause it should always be a no vote.
When you can’t define durable it opens potential legal chaos for absolutly no reason at all.
Senator Michael McDowell have all spoken very well on this as an ex min for justice and AG he is very well placed to do so. An honest man in my view.
I would urge anyone unsure to look at his 8 page document on it and why it should be No/No.
@Soundy Sound: were you not watching the news last night? no side zero coverage, obviously a governmental ploy.
@Soundy Sound: more likely than not this referendum will pass as its got all government parties pushing it, a quango set up & paid to push it ( electoral commission), media fully behind the government mantra of a ‘yes’ vote & the ( not even) subtle dictat that if we don’t bring in the correct result we’ll have to go again. The legal profession see this as a goldmine for sure but you’re wild accusation of labeling anyone who opposes this being rammed through as the ‘far right’ just once again shows how that term ( far right) has become so diluted & misused as to make it a worthless insult
@R B: I just do with what the govt demand us to do!
@Éanna o Sca: I just do the opposite of what gov demand us to do*
@Ken Mc Carthy: A Trump supporter balking at the term ‘far right’ – LOL etc.
@R B: what critical thinking, a nation of sheep it is.
@Brendan O’Brien: hi Kevin….adults are talking here…. give mommy back her phone
@Soundy Sound: if it does pass don’t bother with the mother’s day card after voting the only mention of her out of the constitution a big NO/NO from me
@R B: Senator McDowell on YouTube also. He’s excellent
Voting no to both
Sinn fein will re run it if they get into government if the Yes vote fails to go through….They reckon they can reword it to sway a Yes vote
@Mark Rooney: well, there’s something to be said for that approach….. the vague makey uppy present wording is wide open to different interpretations & legal challenges. A bit of clarity would go a long way to swaying me over to the government mantra (a ‘yes’ vote)
@Mark Rooney: Sinn Féin are doing their best to not be in government. They are the worst opposition party I have ever seen.
What if your relationship on durex?
have your say