It’s time that Cyprus announced its plans for Lisbon! The national broadcaster of the country Cypriot Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) has now released a long information text in which everything that concerns a candidate performer is reported.
As it is now officially confirmed, the composer of the Cypriot entry at the 63rd Eurovision Song Contest will be the Swedish-Greek award-winner Alex Papakonstantinou, who has collaborated with many former Eurovision participants, such as Helena Paparizou, Anna Vissi, Sarbel and Arash and has been the composer of three former Eurovision entries. These entries are:
- Yassou Maria by Sarbel (Greece 2007)
- Always by Aysel and Arash (Azerbaijan 2009)
- La La Love by Ivi Adamou (Cyprus 2012)
According to the CyBC rules, as a performer can apply only anyone who is over 16 years old and he/she or his/her parent(s) is/are Cypriot citizen(s).
Every artist wishing to participate can submit his/her application only by e-mail ([email protected]). On the CyBC file the candidates may get aware of all the documenation that is demanded to accompany their application as well as the YouTube video sample that have to submit. Artists are able to apply until 20 October. Any overdue entry will be considered void.
All applicants that meet the requirements of CyBC are going to compete during the first selection phase. The ones who will pass to the second phase, will take part in a round of auditions which will lead the successful hopefuls to the final show, which will be airing live on TV. At this show, the candidates are going to compete with entries that will be assigned to them by the broadcaster.
The final winner and Cypriot 2018 Eurovision representative will be chosen by both jury vote and televoting. However, CyBC holds the right to proceed with the selection of a performer by any way and in any phase of the procedure.
Cyprus at Eurovision
The island of Aphrodite made its debut in 1981, having missed the contest only twice since. The best placing for Cyprus has been a 5th place, which has been achieved on 3 occassions: in 1982, in 1997 and in 2004. This was the last time that Cyprus reached the Top 10. Cyprus has had relatively poor resuls since then, as they have seen 6 semi-final non-qualifications and low placings on the final scoreboard.
In 2017, CyBC had internally selected the former participant of the Greek X-Factor Hovig to represent country in Kyiv. With his electropop entry Gravity, he reached the Grand Final of 13 May and he finished 21st with 68 points.