EuroFest is the cultural festival taking place alongside the song contest and features the community and education programmes known as EuroStreets and EuroLearn.

Not only do the programmes celebrate the dazzling history of Eurovision and the rich heritage of Liverpool, but also the significant cultures and traditions of Ukraine, who won Eurovision 2022.

Bringing people together

EuroStreets will engage with Liverpool’s wider communities with a focus on food and crafts, celebrating cultures of all Eurovision nationalities. It will also celebrate chess – a huge pastime in Ukraine.

One part of the programme is Songs for Europe, a Eurovision theatre performance created by and for care home residents – particularly those living with dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease – and their loved ones. The theatre piece, created by Nwoko Arts and based on the residents’ Eurovision memories, is now touring care homes across the Liverpool City Region.

Liverpool is a city steeped in heritage and renowned for its impact on the musical world, so it is incredibly exciting that it is playing host to one of the biggest global music events – Eurovision.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Community celebrations

As part of EuroStreets, 63 community groups and grassroots organisations were awarded a EuroGrant of up to £2,000 to put on activities and events to celebrate Eurovision and their heritage.

Projects that were successful in getting funding include:

• a Eurovision Hip Hop Block Party with DJs, beatboxers and graffiti
• hairdressing and nail art classes for young people inspired by Eurovision styles through the decades
• a workshop celebrating the dumplings of Liverpool, East and Southeast Asia and Ukraine

Inspiring future generations

EuroLearn has three main strands – music, visual arts and storytelling. Schools across the city region will be supplied with resource packs which they can use to bring Eurovision into the classroom.

Some of the exciting activities include a mass collaborative choir performing alongside the Ukrainian Children’s Choir, a Eurovision and brass band soundclash and exploring the folk tales of Eurovision countries.

EuroLearn has also seen the city region overtaken by seven giant eggs decorated in the pysanky tradition of Ukraine and Eastern Europe. There is a pysanka egg from each local authority of the city, decorated by members of the Ukrainian community.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Liverpool is a city steeped in heritage and renowned for its impact on the musical world, so it is incredibly exciting that it is playing host to one of the biggest global music events – Eurovision.

“These outstanding programmes are bringing together people of all ages across the city region to connect with and share, not only the rich heritage of Eurovision and their home city, but also the significant cultures and traditions of Ukraine.”

Have a project idea?

If there’s heritage in your local area that you’d like to share, we can help. Explore our funding programmes to find out how we can support your heritage.