No less than 7 possible host cities in the United Kingdom were shortlisted, which was brought back to 2 a couple of weeks ago, and tonight (October 7th 2022), we will know whether it will be either Glasgow or Liverpool that will host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 on behalf of this year’s winners, Ukraine.
What will happen tonight?
The thing that will happen tonight is the following:
- 20:00 (CET): The 2023 host city will be revealed during the “The One Show” on BBC One. In this show British Eurovision commentator, Graham Norton, together with this year’s British Eurovision runner-up, Sam Ryder, will discuss the upcoming host city of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
- 23:40 (CET): During “The Graham Norton Show”, also on BBC One, Sam Ryder will perform his new single. This show was pre-recorded yesterday (October 6th 2022).
Will it be Glasgow or Liverpool?
Did you know…
- That the city of Liverpool forms a twin city with the Ukrainian harbour city Odessa, and Glasgow twinned with the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don? Of the latter the twinning was cut because of the invasion of Russia in Ukraine. We do not know whether this helped both these cities in the race to become the next Eurovision host city…
- In 2008 Liverpool was “European Capital of Culture”, and it was the second time this city was given this title. The reason for this is that Liverpool has a rich maritime history, but also a creative culture, and an artistic legacy. Liverpool has the most museums of the UK, besides the capital city of the United Kingdom, London.
- The grand building “Saint George’s Hall”, which was built in 1841, is the first airconditioned building of the United Kingdom. Because this building was built right next to an enormous graveyard, the people at the time needed air-conditioning to hide the stench coming from the burial grounds.
- That if the contest would go to Liverpool they would host it in the “M&S Bank Arena”, a venue that has a capacity of 11,000, and is situated right next to the river Mersey. In the vicinity of this venue there is a congress hall, and all sorts of other practical facilities to host the contest.
- The Beatles, one of the most popular bands of all time, was from Liverpool, but also girl group Atomic Kitten, and Melanie C from the Spice Girls. And do not forget about the city of Liverpool’s contribution to the musical arts when it comes down to all sorts of genres of music, and because of this Liverpool is the only city in England that is recognized by the UNESCO as a City of Music.
- That if the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 would be hosted by the Scottish city of Glasgow the contest would be held in the “OVO Hydro Arena”. The architect team of this venue was also the team behind the Millennium Bridge in London, and the remodelling of the Reichstag in Berlin. The OVO Hydro Arena can hold up to 14,300 people, and hosts over a 140 events per year, making it one the busiest arenas in the world, comparable to Madison Square Garden in New York.
- That the Scottish city of Glasgow is recognized by the UNESCO as a City of Music.
- Glasgow has the most expensive collection of art in the world.
- Glasgow passed as Gotham City in the latest Batman movie, “The Batman”, starring Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman. Next year we will see Glasgow turned into a ‘60’s type of city in a new Indiana Jones movie adventure. The super intense zombie horror movie “World War Z”. starring Brad Pitt, was partially shot in Glasgow.
- The host venue of the contest should hold at least 10,00 spectators, but also a press centre that can hold at least 1,500 journalists. The venue should be near an international airport, so all delegations have easy access to the host city and its venue.
- That host city of any Eurovision Song Contest needs at least 2,000 rooms available within the host city for delegations, singers, and production teams to rest.
- The largest host venue of the Eurovision Song Contest was the Parken Stadium in the Danish capital Denmark back in 2011, up to 38,000 spectators were able to watch the contest from within the arena. The smallest venue was Green Glens Arena in the city of Millstreet back in 1993, where, at the time, 1,500 spectators could enjoy an evening full of Eurovision glory.
- That the United Kingdom consists out of 4 countries: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
What do you think?
Where do you think that the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be held? Is it Liverpool or Glasgow for you? Let us know in the comments below!
Eurovision 2023
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