The keys to Eurovision have been officially handed over to Liverpool.
At a special ceremony in St George’s Hall, televised live on BBC TWO, the host city for 2022, Turin, passed on the ceremonial baton.
Mayor Joanne Anderson received the Eurovision Key from Mayor of Turin Stefano Lo Russo before Rylan and AJ Odudu hosted the semi-final draw for the 67th annual song contest, which will be held in the city in May.
Known as the insignias ceremony, it officially kicks off Liverpool’s hosting of Eurovision 2023.
Each host city has made a key since 2008 and these will soon go on public display in Liverpool.
A Liverpool key will be made later this year to be passed on to next year’s hosts.
Mayor Joanne said: “It is Liverpool’s absolute honour to host Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine and their beautiful people. We promise to put on a show that puts them at the heart of our celebrations and shows how music can unite us all.
“Receiving the Eurovision key from Turin makes it all so very real. The countdown has begun!”
Mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo, who had earlier in the day laid a wreath at the Heysel memorial at Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium, said: “Music is a powerful language that can touch our souls but we don’t have to teach it to Liverpool. It has the power to bring people together and I’m sure the people of Ukraine will feel that.
“I hope you enjoy Eurovision every bit as much as we did in Turin.”