Last year's winners of the Eurovision Song Contest have shared a heart warming message after Liverpool was named as the host city for next year's competition.
Tonight Graham Norton announced on The One Show that Liverpool will welcome the huge international event next May. Liverpool was whittled down to the final two potential host cities along with Glasgow, beating off competition from the likes of Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham earlier in the process.
The UK is hosting Eurovision next year on behalf of Ukraine. Ukraine won the event this year and should be welcoming the world to Kiev in 2023 but sadly this has been deemed not possible because of the Russian invasion. The UK is stepping in after it finished second in this year's contest with artist Sam Ryder.
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Since the announcement hundreds of people have shared their excitement and joy at the decision, including last years Eurovision winners, Kalush Orchestra.
They 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 Song Contest Executive Supervisor Martin Österdahl welcomed the news and said: "Liverpool is the ideal place to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine. The city is synonymous with music and Liverpool Arena exceeds all the requirements needed to stage a global event of this scale.
"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. This will be the first Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the UK in 25 years and, as we work with our Host Broadcaster, the BBC, to celebrate Ukraine’s victory, this unique production promises to be a very special one indeed."
The Mayor of Odesa, Gennadiy Trukhanov, who is twinned with Liverpool, said: “It is a matter of great pleasure to know that the bid of Liverpool, our sister city, to host the Eurovision Contest in 2023 is successful. Your city is worthy of that as it embodies the colourfulness and brightness of entire Europe.
"You definitely know how to make the world dance and sing along with you. Next year all musical roads of Europe will lead to your city, and we are happy that not only Eurovision contest will decorate Liverpool, but the city itself will adorn the event too.
"All of Odesa is looking forward to literally hearing from you!”
Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson, said: “I’m over the moon that Eurovision is coming to Liverpool! We knew that we faced strong competition from Glasgow, but we also knew that we had a great bid underpinned by the expertise of our award-winning Culture Liverpool team and supported by all our brilliant partners.
“This is a massive event and the eyes of the world will be on us in May, especially those of our friends in Ukraine.
“Now begins months of work to put on the best party ever. Ukraine – you have my promise we will do you proud.”
Steve Rotheram said: "MUSIC’S COMING HOME! Music wouldn't be music without Liverpool - and now the biggest music contest in the world is coming to our region!
"Now the real work begins as we pull out all the stops for a Eurovision Europe to make Ukraine proud #SlavaUkraini."
Prime minister Liz Truss said: "Huge congratulations to Liverpool for having been selected as the hosts of Eurovision 2023. A welcoming city with a proud musical heritage, Liverpool will put on an unforgettable show which celebrates the rich culture and creativity of Ukraine."
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