Liverpool Hope University is set to host an international conference that will give fans of Eurovision an opportunity to find out more about the enduring impact of one of the world’s biggest music events.
EUROVISIONS, which takes place at the Capstone Theatre on Hope’s Creative Campus on 10-11 May, invites anyone with an interest in the competition to come and find out more about its cultural significance.
The conference is free to attend and is organised independently from Eurovision itself, but has taken place at the same time and in the same city as the main event for the last six years.
The 2023 edition has a particular focus on Liverpool hosting the competition on behalf of Ukraine, and will also examine the role of national and cultural representation and how Eurovision is contributing to both promote and question stereotypes.
It features a host of academic speakers from around the world, as well as media professionals from the BBC, S4C and Culture Liverpool, who are responsible for Liverpool’s programme of events as the host city.
Discussing both academic and non-academic thinking around Eurovision, the conference is an inclusive event of dynamic roundtable discussions which aim to be enjoyable and informative for everyone, regardless of your knowledge level.
“I am delighted that Liverpool Hope University is able to host this high-profile event,” said Dr Tom Skyes, Lecturer in Musical Performance in the School of Creative and Performing Arts.
“The conference theme of 'Representing oneself and the other' fits well with this year's Eurovision theme, 'United by music', which is central to many of the discussions.
“The fact that EUROVISIONS is open to all fits perfectly with Hope's ethos of knowledge sharing and community engagement, and provides opportunities for academics and some of our own students to present their research to a wider audience.
“Fans will also be able to take part in discussions, giving them the chance to gain alternative perspectives on Eurovision and popular music in general.”
The EUROVISIONS programme will also feature a ‘Science Slam’, which provides a platform for early career researchers to present their work to a larger audience as well as several musical performances.
That includes a recital from , a choir of children from two special needs schools in Liverpool who are set to perform at the Eurovision Village as part of a Culture Liverpool-funded engagement project led by Hope’s Dean of Creative and Performing Arts, Professor Stephen Davismoon.
EUROVISIONS will be streamed live on YouTube and Facebook, providing those who are unable to attend in person with an opportunity to ask questions and participate in the conference.
You can find out more at eurovisions.eu.