Liverpool
Eurovision Song Contest 2023 has started
“United by Music” is this year’s ESC motto. photo
© Corinne Cumming/EBU/dpa
Instead of last year’s winner Ukraine, Great Britain is hosting the ESC, and Peter Urban is the last commentator for German television. The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 has started.
The Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2023 started on Tuesday evening in Liverpool, England. Participants from 15 countries competed in the first semi-final that evening. The motto of the ESC this year is “United by Music”.
According to the ESC rules, the Ukrainians would normally have held this competition as last year’s winners. Because of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Great Britain, as the second-placed country last year, took on this task instead. The BBC brings the theme of Ukraine, among other things, with their national colors in the design of the party in Liverpool.
“It’s the first time that a country is hosting an ESC for another country. And Liverpool welcomed us with open arms,” said Ukrainian singer Julia Sanina at the start. She hosted the evening as part of a trio of presenters, along with actress Hannah Waddingham (“Game of Thrones”) and “Britain’s Got Talent” judge Alesha Dixon. The second semi-final is on Thursday. Like other big sponsors of the competition, Germany is certainly set for the final on Saturday.
According to bookmakers’ betting odds, Sweden and Finland have the best chance of winning the ESC on Saturday. The German ESC contribution Lord of the Lost ranks in the middle.