Plans for Eurovision to inspire next generation of Liverpool musicians

Organisers are working to give young people a platform to be involved in staging the contest

Author: Sophie MerrickPublished 9th Nov 2022
Last updated 9th Nov 2022

It's hoped Eurovision coming to Liverpool next year will inspire the next generation of musicians.

As part of the city's hosting duties on behalf of Ukraine, organisers are working to give young people a platform to be involved in staging the contest.

Alicia Smith is heading up the Schools and Education programme around it, she said: "If we could get all of our schoolchildren singing it would be great. A big mass Eurovision young people's choir.

"Music, songs, lyrics, portray so many different things. It gives communities and our young people a voice. You can never underestimate the power of words and I think that's really important. We want to ensure we're inspiring the next generation.

"At the heart of it is the message 'just be yourself'. That's what Eurovision does, and that's what the heart of Liverpool is. That big welcome and that big hug".

Alicia Smith

Liverpool's hosting the contest on behalf of current winners Ukraine, who are unable to hold it due to the ongoing war with Russia.

Last year's winners Kalush Orchestra released a statement when the city won it's bid to host on behalf of Ukraine.

They said: 'We are very pleased that next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool. Though we haven’t had the privilege of visiting yet, the musical heritage of the city is known all over the world. Playing in the same place that The Beatles started out will be a moment we’ll never forget!

'Although we are sad that next year’s competition cannot take place in our homeland, we know that the people of Liverpool will be warm hosts and the organisers will be able to add a real Ukrainian flavour to Eurovision 2023 in this city.'

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