The Beatles wear vyshyvankas

As the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest is approaching its first semi-final on May 9, more Ukrainian notes appear in the preparations score of Liverpool, where the event will be held on behalf of Ukraine.

On Thursday, the contest’s host, BBC, dressed the Beatles statue in Liverpool in traditional Ukrainian clothing – embroidered shirts called vyshyvanka – for BBC filming ahead of the contest. The figures of Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon clad in white vyshyvankas will feature in coverage of the event next month.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine a year ago, Paul McCartney waved Ukrainian flags during his concerts, and Ringo Starr recorded a video message to Putin warning him of “major consequences.” Undoubtedly, both John Lennon and George Harrison would support Ukraine if they were alive.

Last year, Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest. Nevertheless, because of the Russian invasion, the right to hold the 2023 contest was given to the United Kingdom, the runner-up, on behalf of Ukraine.

A Ukrainian team is involved in preparing the show along with the European Broadcasting Union and BBC. Herman Nenov, a Ukrainian show director, clip maker and creative producer, is one of the 2023 contest directors. The Hardkiss frontwoman, Julia Sanina, will be a stage co-host, and Timur Miroshnichenko, a UA: First channel host, is invited to work off-stage, according to NV.

The official handover of Eurovision from Turin to Liverpool took place in early February. The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain chairman, Petro Rewko, was invited to St. George’s Hall for the ceremony featuring much blue-and-yellow in its attributes and the national flag of Ukraine flying over the building.