AUGB chairman takes part in Eurovision official handover in Liverpool

The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain chairman, Petro Rewko, was invited to St. George’s Hall in Liverpool to the official handover of Eurovision from Turin to Liverpool, which hosts this year’s song contest on behalf of its last year’s winner, Ukraine, unable to take up hosting duties because of the war.

The presence of the Ukrainian community’s representative amplified the Ukrainian overtones of the event featuring a lot of blue-and-yellow in its attributes, including the national flag of Ukraine flying over St. George’s Hall.

Stefano Lo Russo, the mayor of last year’s host city, Turin, handed over the symbolic Eurovision key to his Liverpool counterpart, Joanne Anderson, BBC reports. “A little bit of advice – enjoy the event; include everybody; engage the whole city; be proud for such an incredible international stage for you, for Ukraine and for peace,” Lo Russo told Anderson.

“I’m really proud to be able to host Eurovision for Liverpool, but especially proud to do it on behalf of Ukraine,” Anderson said.

The ceremony came after this year’s Eurovision slogan was revealed – “United in music” – along with official artwork showing hearts beating together, incorporating the colors of the Ukrainian and U.K. flags.