An MP from Liverpool's twin city of Odesa in Ukraine says it will feel like next year's Eurovision Song Contest is being hosted by his home city as well.
Liverpool is stepping in to host next year's showpiece event because this year's winners - Ukraine - are unable to do so because of the invasion of their country by Russia. The UK finished second in this year's contest and Liverpool's bid was announced as the winner on Friday.
Liverpool's bid will place a huge focus on celebrating the spirit and culture of Ukraine and judges were impressed by the close relationship it holds with Odesa, which it has been twinned with since 1957.
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Speaking today, Oleksii Goncharenko, Member of Parliament for Odesa, spoke about his delight that Liverpool had been selected to host next year's event on behalf of his nation.
He said: "This is fantastic news. Odesa, the third largest city in Ukraine, has been twinned with Liverpool since 1957. The two cities have a special friendship and share many similarities in terms of geography and industry.
"We are extremely honoured to be twinned with the capital of pop. With Liverpool hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, it is like a part of Odesa is hosting too."
Liverpool first struck up links with Odesa in 1957 when it was still part of the Soviet Union. City officials maintained an active policy of twinning with other cities following the Second World War where links were forged with the Black Sea port.
Following the announcement on Friday, the Mayor of Odesa, Gennadiy Trukhanov said: “Dear citizens of Liverpool. Our cities are located far from each other but there are things that shorten this distance.
“Odesa and Liverpool are two maritime, free cities. Two architectural pearls that attract millions of tourists annually and also a longstanding friendship and solidarity, originated by our twinning, unite us.
“Odesa is the city where dozens of European cultures and traditions meet each other. We haven’t only absorbed them but enriched them too.”
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