I put off posting an entry yesterday in the hope that I would have plenty to write about today, but unfortunately I wasn’t as enthused by last night’s Eurovision grand final as I thought I would be. Of course, there is plenty to say about the contest being a resounding display of European unity, one which is very much needed at a time like this; but I don’t think I can comment much about the songs themselves. It could just be my impression, but I thought they all sounded pretty similar: they were all in the same strong base, techno genre. To a certain extent, to be honest I struggled to tell them apart.

That being said, it would have been wonderful to be up in Liverpool last night. Watching the show in my living room, I just didn’t get the same atmosphere. By all reports the city came to life this week: it really got into Eurovision, and the fact that it was hosting on behalf of Ukraine made that even more poignant. Whatever I thought of the songs, the fact remains that Ukraine is being illegally and maliciously invaded by Russia. A display of European unity, allowing us all to express solidarity with the Ukrainians as well as revulsion at what Russia is doing, was essential. I think that’s what we got last night. In opening up to Europe and welcoming Ukraine in particular so passionately, Liverpool has done us proud. Last night it delivered a strong, resounding message to our Ukrainian siblings: they will never walk alone.