Excitement builds for Ukraine-inspired Eurovision final in UK
- Liverpool City in England is hosting the annual song contest on behalf of 2022 winner Ukraine, which is unable to stage it because of Russia’s invasion
- President Zelensky is not allowed to address viewers – who numbered 160 million worldwide last year – as it is against the non-political nature of the event
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Excitement was building in Liverpool, England on Saturday for the Grand Final of Eurovision 2023, a spectacular event that will walk a tightrope between reflecting the situation in Ukraine and steering clear of overt politics.
The city in northern England is hosting the annual song contest on behalf of 2022 winner Ukraine, which was not able to stage, as is customary, because of Russia’s invasion.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky was barred from addressing worldwide viewers – who numbered 160 million last year – by organiser the European Broadcasting Union.
It said granting his request, which was made with “laudable intentions”, would be against the non-political nature of the event and its rules prohibiting making political statements.
Ukraine, however, is set to figure prominently from the very start, with last year’s winner Kalush Orchestra performing its track Stefania live in the auditorium, according to the rehearsals.
The 26 competing acts span musical styles from ballads to heavy rock to rap, starting with Austria’s Teya & Salena performing Who The Hell is Edgar?, a pounding track inspired by 19th century writer Edgar Allan Poe.
Fans arriving at the arena on the banks of the River Mersey for the final dress rehearsal were draped in the flags of Ukraine, Britain and the other 24 contenders. The arena can hold about 6,000 people and many thousands more can watch in a fan zone on the banks of the River Mersey.
Liverpool has become a sea of yellow and blue during the build-up, as Britons and visitors show their support for Kyiv as the country continues to battle invading Russian forces and suffer bombardment.
Ukraine’s entry this year is Heart of Steel, an electro-pop offering by the band Tvorchi inspired by the siege of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.
During last year’s contest, Kalush Orchestra singer Olef called from the stage: “Please help Ukraine, Mariupol. Help Azovstal right now.”
This year’s favourite going into the climax of a week of celebrations and preliminary rounds is Sweden’s Loreen, with her offering “Tattoo”. She previously won in 2012.
The acts each have three minutes to convince juries and the voting public at the grand final on Saturday night.
The winner is decided by a combination of points awarded by juries and viewers in each competing country, plus for the first time viewers in other countries, who will carry the weight of one participating country.
