Unity Theatre is putting on a free Ukrainian arts festival for Eurovision

Liverpool’s Unity Theatre on Hope Place is being transformed into a Ukrainian creative hub in the run-up to the Eurovision grand final.

Aptly called A Place of Hope, it will be a two-week free programme of performance, activities and exhibitions happening across Eurovision fortnight to celebrate the stories and talent of Ukrainian artists, available in person at Unity theatre or through Unity Online.

Running from May 2 to 11, it has been created in partnership with award-winning Ukrainian theatre makers Yurii Radionov and Shorena Shoniia.

Here are 9 events making up A Place of Hope …

An Evening of Ukrainian Poetry – May 5

Cast and creatives behind URKLAND feature in an evening of poetry which reveals more about the incredible spirit of the Ukrainian people, their defining sense of love, and their defiance in the face of conflict. Free (ticketed), 7.30pm, performed in Ukrainian with English captions.

Maria – May 9-11 (World Premiere performance)

A powerful new theatre retelling of Ulas Samchuk’s 1934 novel, Maria follows the life of a young woman through one of Ukraine’s most terrible tragedies – Holodomor (translated as death by hunger) which saw millions starve in the 1930s as a result of Soviet policies. Free (ticketed), 7.30pm, 2pm matinee on May 11.

Hope Table – May 10

Unity will host Hope Table before the world premiere of Maria, a chance for the audience to sit down over a meal together, to meet new people and share their cultural experiences alongside a culinary one. Free (ticketed), 5.30pm.

A Place of Hope panel discussion – May 10

Following the world premiere of Maria, Yurii Radionov and Shorena Shoniia will join a panel of guests including actor, filmmaker and Unity patron David Morrissey for an insightful and thought-provoking discussion. Post-show, for Maria ticket holders only.

UK/Ukraine creatives meet up – May 11

Unity hosts regular creatives meet-up events, and during Eurovision the focus will be on UK and Ukraine, giving artists, creators and makers from both countries a chance to come together, chat and exchange experiences and ideas and maybe even come up with new collaborations.

To Know Us Better: Exhibition by Anton Shebetko – May 2-12

Unity’s exhibition space will be dedicated to a photography project and exhibition by Kyiv-born artist and photographer Anton Shebetko. Through portraits and interviews, To Know Us Better celebrates queer Ukrainians living in other European countries as they share their experience and hopes for a better future.

Home Trail by Open Eye Gallery – May 2-12

Home Trail is part of Home, a series of exhibitions and events created by Open Eye Gallery with Ukrainian curators Viktoria Bavykina and Max Gorbatsky. Using an app designed by Liverpool Uni, guests can choose from five different free self-guided walking trails – Land, Making, Liberty, Resistance, Settings – which take in cafes, shops, museums and galleries, each featuring an artwork by a contemporary Ukrainian photographer.

Ukraine Creates – May 5-12

Ukraine Creates is a free interactive exhibition in the Unity Bar which features stories from Ukrainian creatives including musicians, make-up artists, performers and more.