The Eurovision Song Contest has millions of fans all over the world, and the most dedicated of them flocked to Kyiv to witness the show.
Kyiv city authorities expected about 20,000 tourists to visit the Ukrainian capital during the Eurovision in May, the grand final of which was held on May 13. However, the authorities have yet to release any data on visitor numbers.
But judging from their output on social media, Eurovision fans were here in force: they posted lots of pictures of themselves trying Ukrainian food, enjoying sightseeing spots, and attending the nine Eurovision shows and other related events.
The Kyiv Post has picked out some of the most interesting pictures Eurovision fans shared with their friends on Instagram.
Memories of Kyiv
Some fans posted pictures from the International Exhibition Centre, the main venue of the contest, with its spectacular stage in the background.
Others enjoyed the lights of the Ukrainian capital at night.
Kyiv has plenty of sightseeing spots to discover, but one that simply cannot be missed is the Motherland Monument.
This 102-meter-high statue, the fourth tallest in the world, towers over the hills on the right bank of the River Dnipro. The Museum of the History of Ukraine in World War II is located in the base of the sculpture.
Two years ago, on May 8 2015, the sculpture was decorated with poppies, in remembrance of war victims.
Kyiv’s metro has several must-see stations, including Zoloti Vorota (Golden Gate) station, which features some 80 distinct mosaic decorations, and the world’s deepest metro station, Arsenalna, which is 105.5 meters below ground.
This year’s Eurovision slogan “Celebrate Diversity” was highlighted by a redecoration of the People’s Friendship Arch.
Kyiv decided to spruce up the gray metal monument with rainbow-colored temporary coverings, turning it into the Arch of Diversity.
Even though the new design triggered criticism from many Ukrainians, who said the Kyiv authorities was promoting the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, Eurovision fans seemed to like it, however.
Tourists also flocked to Kyiv’s central square, Maidan Nezalezhnosti, the center of Ukraine’s EuroMaidan Revolution in 2013-2014.
The demonstrations, during which more than 100 protestors died, swept corrupt former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and his regime from power.
Lots of tourists shared pictures of the Ukrainian capital’s famous and beautiful churches.
St. Sofia Cathedral in Kyiv is one of the city’s best-known ones, and its golden domes appeared in a host of photos.
Many Eurovision fans also took pictures of themselves near the Eurovision sign on Khreshchatyk.
Fans are now leaving Ukraine, as the Eurovision Song Contest is over. But judging from their social media postings, they’re taking lots of great memories with them.
