Eurovision 2023 United by Music
This May, the city has been a-buzz with music on every corner (and plenty of glitter and sequins!) as Liverpool hosted Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine. The School and University thoroughly enjoyed getting stuck in with celebrations.
The University of Liverpool was delighted to play a part in the city’s hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, which involved a week-long music festival on campus, city centre karaoke pod and a special mural by local artist and alumnus Paul Curtis. The icing on the cake was the renaming of beloved campus space Abercromby Square to ‘ABBAcromby Square’.
- Catch up on these activities and more in the University's Eurovision 2023 round-up (link)
When Liverpool was confirmed as 2023 hosts back in October, our very own Learning Technologist and Eurovision Superfan Faye Sharpe was invited down to the BBC studies for the live announcement (link). We caught up with Faye and Student Experience Administrator Laura Capener to hear their take on the festivities.
Faye at the Eurovision-themed Liverpoool sign
So, how did we do?
Laura: As runners up in 2022, the UK were offered the opportunity to host on behalf of Ukraine, and reigning winners the wonderful Kalush Orchestra. Liverpool won the bid and, in my opinion, the European Broadcasting Union could not have picked a better city.
Laura and Faye, semi final ready
Liverpool is known to be a welcoming and friendly city that boasts a hub of musical talent (and boy, do we know how to throw a party!).
Not once did the city forget that we were hosting on behalf of Ukraine - there were so many details from giant Soloeiko Songbirds dotted around the city, a sea of blue and yellow everywhere you looked, and a stunning Ukrainian market at the Pier Head.
I know I’m biased but Liverpool and its people have done Ukraine, the UK and the rest of the world proud.
Faye: Liverpool was the perfect choice to host Eurovision 2023. Liverpool never does anything by half and you can see this by how we celebrated Eurovision coming to our city.
It was so much more than a song contest and became a city-wide celebration full of life and glitter!
Everyone I spoke to from all over Europe told me how Liverpool has been the best Eurovision they have been too (and one woman from Sweden had been to every Eurovision hosting city since 2009!)
I hope that we did Ukraine proud. We were truly honoured to host on their behalf. I give Liverpool Douze Points!
Laura at the centre of the Eurovision celebrations
What did it mean to you personally?
Laura: For me personally, Eurovision is a huge part of my life and top of my bucket list has always been to attend a Eurovision show.
Never in a million years did I ever think I would get the chance to attend in the UK, let alone in the beautiful city I get to call home.
Eurovision brings people together every year - whether you are a pop enthusiast or rock lover, there’s something for everyone. It is a safe space for all, no matter who you are or where you come from. For a few hours in a week in May, you can forget everything else that’s going on in your life and escape.
This last week has been a dream come true. From the Big Eurovision Welcome, to attending the Semi Finals in the arena… from partying at Eurovillage, to attending intimate gigs with this year’s delegations. I can honestly say, it’s been a week I’ll never ever forget. Here’s to Sweden 2024!
Faye: Eurovision has always been engrained as part of my family since I was a kid! It is the biggest event of the year in my eyes.
To be able to have Eurovision in Liverpool, and to be able to lucky enough to attend a show was a dream come true!
I have never danced, sang, laughed or cried so much in my life. The post Eurovision blues have truly set in! Now to just get started on my outfit for next year. See you in Sweden!
Laura at the Royal Albert Dock
Faye Sharpe is Learning Technologist (Medical Education) in the School of Medicine’s Technology and Learning (TEL) Team. Laura Capener is a Student Experience Administrator for the School’s Research and Scholarship Theme and Assessment for Years 1 and 2.