The Mayor of Liverpool has promised the city will host the “best party ever” for Eurovision after being chosen to host the 2023 song contest.
The city won a competition to host the event after it was decided Ukraine could not host the 2022 winners.
Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson said she was “over the moon that Eurovision is coming”.
Eurovision Song Contest runner-up Sonia said it would be a great event as her fellow Scousers “know how to party”.
The singer, who finished second in 1993, said she was “absolutely over the moon”.
“I tell you something. Scousers know how to party,” she said.
“We’re going to have the biggest party ever.”
The city beat Glasgow to host after the two cities were chosen from a shortlist of seven potential hosts in September.
The competition will take place on May 13, 2023 at the 11,000-seat M&S Bank Arena, which stands on the waterfront next to the Albert Dock and close to the city’s Three Graces – the Liver Building, the Cunard Building and the Port of Liverpool Building.
Ms Anderson said the bidding team “knew we were facing stiff competition from Glasgow, but we also knew we had a great offer, backed by the expertise of our award-winning team at Culture Liverpool and backed by all our brilliant partners “.
“This is a massive event and the eyes of the world will be on us in May, especially our friends in Ukraine,” she said.
“Now begins the months of work to throw the best party ever.
“Ukraine – you have my promise that we will make you proud.”
As well as the final and the two semi-finals, there will also be a cultural programme, alongside Eurovision itself, including artist exchanges and co-productions between Liverpool and its sister city Odessa.
Ukrainian fashion, street art, orchestra musicians and painted eggs are among the plans.
The city will also see a trail of 20 life-size cutouts of Sonia, who came second for the UK at Eurovision in 1993, hidden in its streets, parks and venues, with people challenged to find them all.
Claire McColgan, Director of Culture Liverpool, said it’s been “a whirlwind few months in which we’ve spent hundreds and hundreds of hours developing a meaningful, thought-provoking offering that is thought-provoking, inspirational and a tribute to the… Ukraine is”.
“Liverpool is the right city to host this event – it’s a bittersweet victory but will be a showcase of solidarity across the UK and Europe,” she said.
Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said while it was a night of celebration “now the hard work begins”.
“Putting on a show that generates millions a night they will never forget during one of the most turbulent and trying years for our continent is no easy task,” he said.
“If anyone can do that, it’s the Liverpool City region – with a little help from our friends in Ukraine.”
Liverpool-born Gemma Abbey was one half of pop duo Jemini, who finished bottom of the 2003 competition without points.
She said she was “completely made up” after hearing the news.
“After attending Eurovision, it’s going to be huge,” she said.
“I don’t think people in Liverpool are going to realize how massive it’s going to be.”
“It’s brilliant.”
Former field hockey player and TV personality Sam Quek, who was born in neighboring Wirral, said it was “incredible”.
“Glasgow was the favourite…but never write off the Liverpool people,” she said.
“Hopefully we can put on a show, all credit to the people of Ukraine.”
Liverpool is twinned with the Ukrainian city of Odessa.
Its mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov said it was “a great pleasure” to know that “our sister city” would host the event.
He said Liverpool “embody the color and brightness of all of Europe” and definitely know “how to get the world dancing and singing along”.
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