Cyprus: CyBC confirms participation in Eurovision 2019

by Sanjay (Sergio) Jiandani 6,898 views

CyBC, the Cypriot national broadcaster, has confirmed to ESCToday that Cyprus will participate at the forthcoming 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

Thus Cyprus joins Germany, Norway and Sweden in the list of countries who have so far confirmed their intention to participate at next year’s Eurovision edition.

The Cypriot broadcaster is yet to determine the mechanism it will use to select its 2019 Eurovision act and entry. In 2018 Cyprus initially opted for a national selection, but switched to an internal selection which proved to be very successful for the country!

The Foureira effect!

Eleni Foureira has shaken the ground both in Greece and Cyprus after her Eurovision participation, where she has waken up the interest of established artists to partake in the competition. Will we see more famous Greek and Cypriot acts enter the competition in the future?

Foureira has not only given Cyprus its best ever Eurovision result with her entry Fuego and put the Mediterranean island on the map, she has gained much fame and recognition in Europe and beyond.

Eurovision has been a ground breaker for the artist; the contest has brought her international acclaim and exposure, opening the doors for a potential international career. The 2018 Eurovision runner-up has signed an international record deal with Sony Music International, whilst Fuego has become a massive hit in many European countries.

Eleni will be soon embarking on a European tour which will take her to London, Ibiza, Stockholm, Madrid, Barcelona, etc.

Will Cyprus select its 2019 Eurovision act and entry internally again after this year’s success?  We will have to wait and see.

Cyprus in Eurovision

Cyprus debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981 with the group Island, achieving an honorable 6th placing in Dublin.

Aphrodite’s island has been represented by some of the biggest names in the Greek and Cypriot music industry: Anna Vissi (1982), Michalis Hatzigiannis (1998), Evridiki (1992,1994,2007), Ivi Adamou (2012), Despina Olympiou (2013), etc.

The country achieved its best Eurovision result this year when it placed 2nd with Eleni Foureira’s Fuego. The Athens-based mega-star was selected internally to fly the Cypriot flag at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon. Eleni made Cyprus proud with her magnificent and dazzling performance at the Altice Arena.

The EBU is yet to announce the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest host city and dates. The 2019 Eurovision Song Contest is expected to be held in Israel, after it won the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest with Netta‘s Toy.