Eurovision 2023: Liverpool pays tribute to bittersweet, says mayor

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The Lord Mayor of Liverpool said winning Eurovision was "bittersweet" and vowed to do everything possible to honor sister city Ukraine .

Councillor Roy Gladden has written to the Mayor of Odessa after Liverpool won the right to host the 2023 European Song Contest last week.

The city won a competition to host the event after it was decided that last year's winner, Ukraine, won't was unable to accommodate. twist".

It comes as BBC Director General Tim Davie praised Liverpool for their "energy" and "warmth" and " record of offering great events", after meeting with the city's cultural team to discuss the upcoming show.

Ukrainian participant Kalush Orchestra won the competition of May and the winning country normally hosts the following year contest.

However, the event will not be held in the country due to the war in Ukraine , so Sam Ryder's second place finish led the UK to intervene.

In his letter to the Mayor of Odessa Gennadiy Trukhanov, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool said they were "proud" that the city instead hosted Ukraine on May 13, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported.

"When it was announced that we were the winner, it was a bittersweet moment.

"We know this event is your competition in 2023 - but sadly that won't be the case.

"Ukraine is at the heart of our Eurovision plans - we will do everything we can to celebrate your culture, your people and your country - giving it a twist excuse that we are sure you will approve."