More than 600 submissions were received from artists all over Europe, following the announcement of Cultural Festival commissions for events around the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest when it comes to Liverpool in May.
There was a call out to artists, creatives, makers, musicians and performers for ideas towards creating an inclusive, thought-provoking, entertaining and diverse cultural festival in the lead up to the main event.
Applications were welcome from creatives in the nations competing in Eurovision 2023 and in particular from artists from Ukraine and from the Liverpool City Region.
A panel of judges from Culture Liverpool, the Ukraine Institute, British Council and Liverpool UNESCO City of Music have already shortlisted 55 submissions, which will now receive funding for further research and development. A third of those shortlisted are submissions by Ukrainian artists, organisations or collaborators.
Information about Liverpool’s plans for the Eurovision education and community programmes will be announced in the new year.