THE first details of a two-week cultural festival which will take over Liverpool in the lead up to The Eurovision Song Contest have been unveiled.

Running from Monday 1 to Sunday 14 May, 'EuroFest' will present 24 brand new commissions - 19 of which are collaborations between UK and Ukrainian artists – that will transform the city as fans from across the world descend on Liverpool.

Although full details of all of the commissions will not be announced until late March, organisers have revealed headline plans for four of the projects, along with the names of all of the organisations taking part.

Headline plans for EuroFest 

The majority of the work being produced has been inspired by the Eurovision 2023 slogan ‘United by Music'.

There will be a Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade by The Kazimier – a huge outdoor underwater sea disco which will make its way through the city to kickstart the Eurovision Party.

Working with UK and Ukrainian designers, musicians and community groups, expect hundreds of performers, incredible music and a huge glitterball jellyfish.

The English National Opera does Eurovision is being created by the English National Opera and will be a unique show bringing together two very different musical worlds into one epic outdoor performance with live chorus and orchestra.

Izyum to Liverpool by Ukrainian artist Katya Buchatska, will transform the iconic Liverpool Cathedral into a train carriage replicating the journey from Izyum to the border with Poland.

Filmed in real-time, this piece offers an extraordinary window into the landscape of Ukraine as it is today and also serves as a reminder of the spirit and resilience of the Ukrainian people.

Finally, Rave Ukraine is a collaboration between producer Jez Collins, UAME I Music Saves UA and Open Culture to deliver a simultaneous rave in Liverpool and Kyiv which will be streamed across the world.

Managing Director, BBC Eurovision 2023, Martin Green, said: "These commissions perfectly sum up this year’s contest with music, storytelling and of course the best of British and Ukrainian culture at their heart.

"I cannot wait to see them all come to life this May, especially the glitterball jellyfish!"

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The list of collaborators taking part in EuroFest which can be revealed are:

  • Amigo & Amigo, Svitlana Reinish, Anton Dehtiarov, M3 Industries, Black_Box
  • Artists on the Frontline and Parade-Fest
  • BBC Storyville Live
  • Black Gold Arts, First Take, Homotopia, Hackney Showroom and RubyLemon
  • Bluecoat and The Jam Factory, Lviv
  • English National Opera
  • Go Fly Your Kite and the Junior Academy of Science Kyiv
  • Invisible Wind Factory
  • Jamala
  • Jez Collins, UAME I Music Saves UA and Open Culture
  • Liverpool Cathedral and Katya Buchatska
  • Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Sheep Soup
  • Port and Katya Taylor
  • Natalie McCool, Stealing Sheep, Krapka;KOMA and Helleroid
  • National Museums Liverpool
  • Northern Town and Jeanefer Jean-Charles & Associates
  • Open Eye Gallery
  • The Reading Agency and BBC Arts
  • Slukh.Media, Sonia Chapman and Perfectionist.London
  • Tate Liverpool
  • Unity Theatre and Yurii Radionov
  • Whispered Tales and Denys Kashchei

The chosen commissions were selected through a process which included the BBC, British Council, Ukrainian Institute and Culture Liverpool.

An initial call-out in December attracted almost 700 responses of which 50 were shortlisted and supported in the development of their idea.

'Eurovision is much more than the Grand Final'

Mayor of Liverpool, Joanne Anderson, said: "For Liverpool, Eurovision is much more than the Grand Final on May 13. This amazing collection of artists will ensure that everyone who wants to be part of the Eurovision journey can do so for a whole fortnight leading up to the big day.

"I am particularly proud that we are able to provide a platform for so many brilliant Ukrainian artists and musicians and that our local cultural sector has welcomed them with such warmth and spirit.

"I can’t wait until we can reveal all of the details so that everyone can start planning their EuroFest trip."

More details around the schools and community programme, plans for the EuroVillage and other Eurovision specific events will be made public in the coming weeks.

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