Metquarter Celebrates Creativity And Culture In The Run Up To Eurovision 2023

Liverpool is ready to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine, and Metquarter is gearing up to provide visitors with a series of remarkable experiences that pay tribute to the Liverpool and Ukraine communities. 

From lively Grand Finale watch parties to an exclusive EuroFestival cultural commission set to take place at the iconic Everyman Cinema, the tenants of Metquarter will join forces to offer locals and tourists unforgettable experiences, all under one roof.

Storyville Live 

Following the announcement of the two-week EuroFestival which takes over Liverpool in the lead up to The Eurovision Song Contest from 1 – 14 May, Metquarter’s very own Everyman Cinema will celebrate being part of the unique 24 new commissions which will transform the city.

In collaboration with Storyville and the BBC, Everyman Cinema will host a mini film festival celebrating Ukraine’s rich cultural heritage on the 11 and 12 May, and audiences will be able to watch for free. Featuring an enthralling collection of films curated by Storyville Live and showed on Everyman’s big screen, the films will highlight Ukraine’s vibrant cultural heritage and stories from the frontline of the conflict with Russia, alongside an array of sensational new and classic music documentaries.

Spaces can be reserved here.

Everyman Cinema Watch Party 

For the Grand Finale itself, Everyman Cinema will host an unforgettable watch party, treating guests to music, drinks, snacks and a scorecard to follow along with the competition. Guests will be asked to come in their best fancy dress and bring their most chaotic dance moves – expect sass, glitter balls, flag waving, fizz and more!

GPO Food Market 

On 13 May, GPO Food Market will screen the Eurovision Grand Finale on a big screen from 8pm until late. With live music from LMA’s Katie Belle, limited edition specials from GPO’s unique food vendors and themed cocktails at the GPO bar, this will be an evening not to be missed.

For some family fun, mini chefs can learn the art of pizza making with Gerry’s Pizza inside GPO on 14 May. Little ones will learn how to stretch dough like a pro and create their very own delicious pizza with toppings of their choice. Once the pizza making is done, guests can sit down to enjoy their pizza along with some fries and a drink.

Art Quarter

The Art Quarter Liverpool will present a Eurovision mini market which will run 11am – 5pm, on Thursday 11 May and Friday 12 May. The event will take place on Metquarter’s upper level outside the entrance to Everyman Cinema and GPO and will showcase the incredible work of seven local artists.

Run by a group of independent artists, The Art Quarter understands the importance of supporting local talent and the market will be full of local handmade gifts. Confirmed artists at the markets include Mary Delaney-Hald, Karen Edwards, Clare Ellis, Elaine Hackett, Freida McKitrick, Eli Pascall-Willis and Matthew Storrow. A donation from the profits of sales will be given to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) in support of Ukraine.

Fairytale Endings

Fairytale Endings, the destination occasion wear store at Metquarter, will also celebrate its Ukrainian links with a Eurovision window display. The store is a proud stockist of ‘Love by Ricca Sposa’, a Ukrainian brand owned by designer– Yulia Lobachevsky. During the war, the inspiring designer has had to relocate her factory but has overcome adversity by continuing to follow her passion and design incredible bridal wear. 

Gill O’Neill, owner of Fairytale Endings Prom and Occasion Wear said “We are so excited that Liverpool is hosting Eurovision on behalf of the Ukraine, and we’ll be decorating our window to celebrate.  We represent a lot of the countries taking part as we curate our evening, bridal and occasion wear from specialist designers around the world. 

We certainly feel part of Eurovision here as we currently stock a couple of designers from Spain- Sonia Pena and Fely Campo, Ana Alcazar and Christian Koehlert from Germany, Tarik Ediz from Turkey, Pia Michi, Kevan Jon and Angel Forever and others from the UK, Portia and Scarlett from Australia as well as other designers from around the World.  We are most proud to be a stockist of ‘Love by Ricca Sposa’ whose owner and designer is an inspiring young Ukrainian woman – Yulia Lobachevsky.  She has had to relocate her family, factory and workers to a safer area in Ukraine away from the fighting and is still designing and producing the most beautiful wedding dresses, despite the adversity she must be facing daily.”

Antonios

Throughout Eurovision week, much loved coffee stall Antonios will be selling bespoke cupcakes created by local baker Sugar Smith Cakes from his stall on the ground floor. 

Jennina O’Neill, Metquarter Centre Manager said: “The excitement is palpable as we gear up for one of the most monumental cultural events to hit not only Liverpool, but the entire UK in 2023! We are overjoyed and honoured to be a part of this historic moment, with Everyman Cinema taking centre stage in the EuroFestival celebrations as one the unique 24 commissions.

To truly capture the magic of Liverpool as the host city for Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine, we’re bringing together our tenants to create an unforgettable experience and incredible centre-wide displays to captivate our visitors. This is the ultimate celebration of music and culture, and we can’t wait to share it with the world and show our support for Ukraine”.

For more information about the Metquarter visit https://metquarter.com/