Liverpool to host 2023 Eurovision Song Contest

Celebrations took place as Liverpool, a city in the north of England, was announced the hosts of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest on Friday. Liverpool was chosen ahead of the other finalist city, Scotland's Glasgow.

Gethin Mullock, Manager of Liverpool's Masquerade Bar said "There's so many people who will want to just experience the whole Eurovision, like, feel and excitement. And it's definitely something that will come to not only this bar but to all the bars in the area and it's something that we're so excited, but I know everyone else around here is so excited as well. So, yeah, it's going to be brilliant."

Ukraine won the right to host the pop extravaganza when its entry, folk-rap ensemble Kalush Orchestra, won this year’s contest. Organisers 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.

Anna Ekvist, Ukrainian refugee living in Liverpool said "A song is also, rise our mood. It also (about) cheering us up and cheering people up, because when they stay in Ukraine they also like to sing in hard moments, in happy moments, so this, like, music will all gather us again together and show that everything is fine and will be even better."

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. The 2023 Eurovision final will be held on May 13.