Bluecoat will celebrate Eurovision this May with an array of special events.

New art commissions, family activities and a Eurovision print party will be highlights

Bluecoat has announced a two week Eurovision programme. The arts centre will host no fewer than three commissions as part of EuroFestival, the cultural festival that will transform Liverpool across a two week period to coincide with Eurovision.

In addition Bluecoat will offer a family-friendly print party where visitors can create their own Eurovision inspired keepsake; themed children’s activity packs and art trails in the legendary Bluecoat garden.

The programme announcement comes after the Bluecoat’s Eurovision Viewing Party sold out in just one week.

Adam Lewis-Smythe, Bluecoat’s Senior Curator said: “We are delighted to contribute to the city’s cultural welcome for Eurovision, both through EuroFestival and our own programme of events and activities. I think Liverpool does solidarity really well, and it’s really important to Bluecoat that we are working with a Ukrainian artist, Alevtina Kakhidze, and the Jam Factory, an art centre in Lviv, on a new exhibition that will bring Alevtina’s powerful work to Liverpool, alongside that of Liverpool-based artist Ellie Hoskins.

“Bluecoat is known for its warm welcome and our programme ensures that there is a way for everyone to enjoy Eurovision this May. Whether you want to celebrate the cultural heritage of Ukraine, get creative making Eurovision-inspired artwork or simply soak up the atmosphere with your family, Bluecoat will have something for you.”

Full details of the Bluecoat’s Eurovision programme are below:

Dialogues

When: Mon 1 – Sun 14 May

Bluecoat is delighted to welcome Ukrainian artist Alevtina Kakhidze to our gallery, alongside Liverpool based artist Ellie Hoskins. Kakhidze is best known for her drawings, performances and videos, which use humour to understand and analyse the world around her. Kakhidze’s recent drawings have focused on the war against Ukraine, charting the impact and effect of war on her family and neighbours. Hoskins shares Kakhidze’s deadpan humour. She uses text, illustration, painting, sculpture and animation to comment on daily life.

The two artists will work alongside each other in Bluecoat’s gallery to create new work for this exhibition. As well as appearing in our galleries, look out for the artists’ work on the outside of the Bluecoat’s building on Blundell Lane.

Dialogues is a partnership with Jam Factory Art Center in Lviv.

How much: Free entry

Alevtina Kakhidze Performance

When: Thu 11 May, 6-8pm

Artist Alevtina Kakhidze brings her trademark wry humour to the Bluecoat in this special performance combining elements of stand-up comedy.

How much: Tickets £5, booking required via the Bluecoat’s website.

With Fire and Rage

When: Mon 1 – Sun 14 May

This EuroFestival commission will enable visitors to discover the stories of artists on the frontline in Ukraine as they walk the streets of Liverpool. With Fire and Rage is an immersive audio experience combining testimony with photography, visual art, poetry and music. Visitors simply need a smartphone and headphones to explore the powerful role creativity plays in the face of invasion, as narratives range from music concerts in metro stations during air raids, to rescuing artworks out of cities as rockets fall.

Scan the QR code in the garden at the Bluecoat and experience the story of Sasha Osadcha from the Kharkiv School of Photography, who organised the smuggling of archives out of Kharkiv during rocket fire.

How much: Free entry

Eurovision print party

When: Mon 8 May, 11-1pm and 1-3pm

Make your own Eurovision keepsake and experiment with different printing methods at the Bluecoat’s family friendly print party.

Choose from two sessions and learn how to decorate traditional Ukrainian pysanka eggs using wax resist techniques, make posters using stencils and screen print Eurovision flags to fly during the festival.

Recommended minimum age 3+

How much: Adult £12.00 – Child £8.50 Booking required. Tickets will be available via the Bluecoat website.

Family activity packs

Drop in to the family zone in Bluecoat’s cafe and pick up a children’s activity pack for just £2. Visitors can complete the Eurovision-inspired activities as a family or relax with a coffee in the popular Bluecoat cafe.

Blue Room Sunflowers

This May Blue Room, Bluecoat’s inclusive arts programme for learning disabled and neurodivergent artists, will transform the Bluecoat’s garden with artworks inspired by the sunflowers of Ukraine.

Visitors can enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Bluecoat’s secret garden whilst taking time to see how many sunflowers they can spot.