Bookers Flowers help Ukraine at Eurovision
To celebrate The Eurovision Song Contest, which this year is being held in Liverpool, Booker Flowers and Gifts have been collaborating with several Liverpool venues to provide Ukrainian Flower Crown Workshops, also known as a Vinok.
The workshops – which raised funds for people affected by the war in Ukraine - started on 26th April with attendees making their own Eurovision Flower crown combined with a delicious meal.
Owner Gemma Wakerley explained why they decided to run these workshops. “As a team at Booker Flowers and Gifts we want to celebrate this once in a lifetime event of Eurovision coming to Liverpool, whilst not forgetting why it is here, and to raise money for those affected by the war in Ukraine”.
“We felt it would be good to combine these workshops, by working collaboratively with several Liverpool venue, to form packages of activity, meal, and drinks in a way that visitors to the city could also experience some of Liverpool’s world-renowned hospitality”.
“We wanted the crowns to be made from sustainable materials, and last for the Eurovision final, so they have been made from dried flowers in Eurovision’s colours. This means they will also make a lovely keepsake to remember the event by”.
The Vinok is a traditional Ukrainian Flower Wreath that was historically worn as a headdress by young women who were eligible for marriage. This tradition dates to pre-Christian times, and it was believed that the headdress would protect young women from evil spirits.
Liverpool was chosen as the host city for Eurovision 2023 because 2022 winning country Ukraine were unable to host it themselves due to the conflict. The competition will play homage to Ukraine as Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson explained: “Ukraine is at the heart of all our Eurovision host city plans. Working with our Ukrainian community we are shaping a thought-provoking and powerful programme that is all-encompassing and representative of modern Ukraine – inspiring, poignant, funny, beautiful and moving.”
