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https://theconversation.com/eurovision-under-the-shadow-of-war-how-the-2023-contest-highlighted-humanitarianism-empathy-and-solidarity-205468>
"In 2022, Ukraine won the Eurovision Song Contest in a landslide victory.
Traditionally, the winner hosts the following year but due to the significant
security issues posed by the ongoing war with Russia, Ukraine was unable to
host.
As the 2022 runners-up, the United Kingdom stepped in to assist with hosting
duties. It was the eighth time Eurovision has not been hosted by the winner,
and the fifth time the UK has helped out. It is, however, the first time the
contest has not been hosted by the winner due to an active conflict situation.
The production was a collaboration between last year’s Ukrainian winners and
the UK hosts, to ensure both were fairly represented throughout. In addition to
representation within the show itself – including the genuine co-host chemistry
between Ukrainian rock goddess Julia Sanina and British actor Hannah Waddingham
– a share of inexpensive tickets were reserved for displaced Ukrainians in the
UK.
As per tradition, the grand final opened with the previous winners, Ukraine’s
Kalush Orchestra, performing their winning song. This was followed by the flag
parade, which featured past Ukrainian performers, including Go_A (2020-21) and
the iconic Verka Serduchka (2007).
The postcards – the short videos used to introduce each performance – connected
the co-hosts Ukraine and the UK to their performing guests via similar
landmarks found in each country, from beaches to national libraries. In line
with the year’s theme, “United by Music”, these sought to illustrate we are
united by shared experiences.
The interval act during voting was a medley of songs by Liverpudlian artists,
ending with 2019 winner Duncan Laurence performing Gerry and the Pacemakers’
You’ll Never Walk Alone. It, too, aimed to express solidarity with Ukraine."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
