Page 675 - Liverpool Philharmonic 22-23 Season Coverage Book

Claire McColgan, one of the bid leaders and director of Culture Liverpool, said that the city had

devised a “meaningful, thought-provoking bid which is energising, inspiring and pays homage

to Ukraine and its incredible people”.

Liverpool will host the semi-finals and final from May 9-13
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She added: “Liverpool is the right city to host this event — it’s a bittersweet win but will be a

showcase of solidarity across the UK and Europe.”

The event next May will be staged at the 11,000-capacity dockside M&S Bank Arena, which is

near the city centre’s hotels and rail links. A Eurovision “village” will be built in the area to
cater for the thousands of extra visitors expected.

More than 160 million people tune in every year to watch the contest on television. Eurovision

is usually hosted by the country that won the year before. This year Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra

were the victors but the European Broadcasting Union, which produces the event, decided that
the show could not be safely held in the country.