Manchester prepares for the MancHagen Eurovision Festival

Love Eurovision? Love Manchester? Then you’ll be interested in the MancHagen Eurovision Festival running from April 10 to 13, 2024. The event, co-organised by the Manchester Eurovision Party (MEF) and Copenhagen’s MalmöHagen Festival, has been billed as the world’s largest Eurovision celebration outside the official live shows in Switzerland.

The festival promises an eclectic mix of entertainment, including a unique yellow catwalk, vibrant drag performances, and a music extravaganza featuring a host of familiar faces from the Eurovision community. Attendees can look forward to appearances from drag luminaries such as Actavia [pictured], Danny Beard, Choriza May, and Blu Hydrangea, alongside Eurovision veterans including Nicki French, Linda Martin, and Keiino, who represented Norway in 2019. The event will also feature emerging talents, including the likes of Silvester Belt and Aiko, set to showcase their skills at the festival.

Kris Hague, who has been at the helm of the MEF event for the past two decades, expressed excitement about the forthcoming festival, stating, “It’s the perfect time for Manchester to host something like this.” He noted the city’s long-standing desire for a Eurovision event of this magnitude, aiming to recapture the vibrant atmosphere that surrounded the Liverpool Eurovision festivities in 2023.

Reflecting on the evolution of his original Eurovision viewing party, which began at the Iconic gay bar in 2005, Hague shared how the initiative has grown substantially over the years. “It started as a little viewing party called EuroFest… but over the years it has just grown and grown,” he explained, highlighting the international draw of the annual event.

The concept for MancHagen emerged as Hague sought ways to commemorate the history of the Manchester event, eventually collaborating with the MalmöHagen team to develop a comprehensive festival experience. Key attractions will take place at the Manchester Arcade Arena and Depot Mayfield, including a grand All Stars concert and an all-day extravaganza featuring a Yellow Carpet Parade.

An exciting addition to this year’s festivities will be the Drag-A-Vision 2025 competition, which will spotlight recent UK Drag Race stars, including Marmalade, Rilesea Slaves, and Alexis Saint-Pete among others. Furthermore, festival-goers can explore the ‘Eurovision Village’ nestled in the Gay Village, characterised by a family-friendly atmosphere alongside evening parties and performances across various local bars.

MancHagen will also see performances from numerous artists, with the first confirmed act being Shkodra Elektronike from Albania, who will present her song Zjerm. More acts will be revealed as the festival date approaches.

The event places significant emphasis on inclusivity and community spirit, which Hague himself acknowledged by stating the festival aims to celebrate Eurovision’s diverse appeal: “We want this event to showcase every element of the contest and why so many people love it… a big joyful and colourful celebration that everyone can enjoy no matter what.”

Tickets for MancHagen start from £45, with organisers aiming to make the event accessible while operating on a not-for-profit basis. Proceeds from ticket sales will support five charities, including Manchester Pride and the George House Trust, aligning the festival with local community efforts.

Additional features of the festival include a Ukrainian fashion show, after-party events, and musical performances, ensuring an extravagant and memorable celebration of Eurovision culture. As anticipation builds for the international competition in May, Hague expressed optimism about the UK’s potential entry this year, with credible whispers surrounding the selection process.

Source: Noah Wire Services