Glasgow And Liverpool Vie To Host The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest

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Glasgow or Liverpool will host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, according to the BBC, after Britain was invited to host the competition on behalf of Ukraine, the contest's designated host nation. Scotland’s biggest city and the birthplace of The Beatles were named the two finalists from seven U.K. cities that applied. A decision will be made in the next few weeks, according to the BBC, which will broadcast the competition. When Ukraine's entrant, folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra, won this year's competition in May, it was awarded the chance to host the opulent pan-continental music festival. Sam Ryder of Britain came in second.

The competition was moved to Britain in 2023 after organizers decided it would be too unsafe to hold it in Ukraine. According to the host nation, the event would be a celebration of Ukrainian culture and innovation.  "We are determined to make the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest one that both reflects the winning position of Ukraine and is also an event that all of the U.K. can participate in,” said  Phil Harrold, chairman of the BBC's host city selection committee.

Eurovision, which was founded in 1956 to help heal the wounds left by World War II, has expanded to include more than 40 nations, including non-European countries like Israel and Australia. By prohibiting overtly political symbols and lyrics, the contest's organizers try to keep music and politics apart, yet tensions on the international stage frequently interfere. Russia's invasion of Ukraine resulted in its expulsion from this year's competition.