Hundreds of people enjoyed a special Eurovision party in the city as the UK hosted this year's competition on behalf of Ukraine.
Ukrainians and Southampton residents alike spent Saturday night dancing and singing as they watched the popular song contest.
The party was hosted by the Southampton Ukrainian Community Support Group.
Group founder and organiser Melanie Tudjaroglu said she was keen for Ukrainians in the city to ‘celebrate and enjoy themselves.’
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The 50-year-old said: “Not all Ukrainians got the chance to go watch Eurovision in Liverpool, so we decided, as a group, to host our own party.
“It was a really great night, and it went really well. We had a raffle with lots of prizes donated from businesses in and around Southampton.
“I don’t normally watch Eurovision but to host this party was amazing.
“The Lord Mayor Jacqui Rayment even popped in, which we were not expecting.
“She told me she really wanted to come to this party.
“Someone said to me ‘It’s Ukraine’s party but we are hosting it in our house.’
“Last year Ukraine won Eurovision, but the country couldn’t host it, so they need to have these experiences.”
Partygoers enjoyed music from a DJ alongside the Eurovision performances, along with a raffle, photo booth, and plenty of food and drink.
Around 170 people attended the party at Edmund Kell Unitarian Church, but persuading Ukrainians to celebrate was no mean feat.
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Melanie said: “What we’ve found within our group is that whenever there’s anything worth celebrating, Ukrainians don’t want to celebrate as their loved ones are fighting the war.
“They don’t feel like they can celebrate at all while their loved ones are at risk.
“The war doesn’t mean they cannot enjoy themselves and have some happiness.
“They shouldn’t feel guilty for enjoying themselves when there’s something to celebrate.
“It’s about encouraging them to have a healthy mind and body.”
She added: “There was a lot of happiness in the room on Saturday.
“The families here are displaced and want to go home, so having this celebration for them helps keep their spirits lifted.
“We all had a really amazing night.”
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