The grand final of Eurovision 2023 kicked off last night with last year’s winner Kalush Orchestra performing on video in Ukraine and live in Liverpool, the northern English city hosting on behalf of the country that is fighting Russia’s invasion.
Organisers have walked a tightrope between reflecting the situation in Ukraine and steering clear of overt politics not allowed in the contest, which attracted 37 countries this year.
Britain’s Kate, Princess of Wales, made a surprise appearance playing piano on video in the opening segment.
The 26 acts that qualified for the grand final span musical styles from ballads to heavy rock to rap, starting with Austria’s Teya & Salena performing Who The Hell is Edgar?, a pounding track inspired by 19th century writer Edgar Allan Poe.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was barred from addressing worldwide viewers – who numbered 160 million last year – by organiser the European Broadcasting Union.
It said granting his request, which was made with ‘laudable intentions’, would be against the non-political nature of the event and its rules prohibiting making political statements.
Ukraine, however, is set to figure prominently in the show, which has the theme “United by Music”.
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