CYPRUS
Cyprus has confirmed that Sandro Nicholas will be the island’s representative at the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam taking place later this year.
The Cypriot broadcaster, CyBC, announced the news to excited Eurovision fans in an official statement towards the end of last year.
The 23-year-old German-Greek is an up-and-coming artist and a star of “The Voice Germany” from 2018. He managed to turn all four chairs with Shawn Mendes’ ‘In my blood’ where he reached the semi-finals.
Sandro Nicholas’ real name is Alessandro Rütten and he was born and bred in Germany, with an American father and a Greek mother from Zakynthos. He speaks Greek and travels to Greece frequently. He plays the drums and guitar and at the age of 15, started to write songs and formed his own rock-band.
Sandro has a soulful, pop and rocky-edged vocal and exudes a confident manner on stage.
As well as ‘The Voice’, Sandro was the American entrant at the New Wave Festival in Russia last summer. One of the judges was the Greek Eurovision hit-maker veteran, Dimitris Kontopoulos, who was said to have put in a word with the decision-makers in Cyprus for Eurovision.
Cypriot bosses have stuck to the format that has served them well in previous years by internal selection of the artist and song.
The formula has yielded fairly good results for Cyprus with Eleni Foureira’s spectacular 2nd place and Tamta scoring 13th in Tel Aviv last year.
Mr Nicholas will face the task to uphold Cyprus’ impressive qualification run, with five qualified entries in a row from 2015 to 2019.
Cyprus received 120 songs, all vying to compete as the island’s act for 2020 and have shortlisted the options to three songs. The exact details about the song will be released at a later date.
CyBC chose Mr Nicholas out of several artists, trusting the young and talented potential to resonate with the Eurovision voter.
Sandro is playing a constructive role in the creative song-writing to the entry, in order to find the killer-tune for this contest. Mr Nicholas has told media, he wants “an emotional song”, one that is a genuine, honest song.
In his interview to Cypriot media, Sandro said, “[I am] absolutely captivated. This country is probably one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to. I’ve been to Zakynthos, Greece. I am Greek, but this place is magical and I’m so honoured and so pleased to be able to represent such an amazing country.”
He added, “It’s an honour for me, [to represent] for the Cypriot flag, and I want to do my very best. It’s fantastic, it’s a dream for me.”
The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals are on 12th and 14th May, with the Grand Final on Saturday 16th May 2020.
London Greek Radio wishes Sandro and Cyprus the best of luck in Eurovision.
Article written by Tony Neophytou
Cypriot broadcaster CyBC has confirmed that Cyprus will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest in the Netherlands Ahoy Arena Rotterdam next year.
Eurovision fans have eagerly awaited for developments as to what Cyprus may have up its sleeve in 2020.
The Cypriot bosses are most likely to be in favour of sticking to the format as it is now: internally selecting both the song and the artist, which repeats their more-recent successful formula. The Cypriots have a solid qualification record which is no doubt attributed to the formula of the last few years.
Cyprus have received 120 song entries from Greek and non-Greek song-writers, and Eurovision hit-makers of past contests. The powers that be have already short-listed a few, strong entries as the Cypriots rapidly proceed with their ambitious, concrete-solid approach and ideas to Eurovision. The selection will be responsible to pair the right song, with the relevant artist, to compliment the entry. The end of a process that would ultimately choose a performance-artist that has the complete package, for the contest.
The most likely scenario is to have a big named artist, one that is a Cypriot or Greek in the Greek-speaking music industry, flying the Cypriot flag for the 2020 Eurovision, and there will no doubt be an air of anticipation amongst fans.
Cyprus have five Top 10 consecutive results in the semi-finals, which is pretty impressive. These songs have often been contesting tightly in Eurovision Semi-Finals from 2015 to date.
The outstanding result of 2018’s Eleni Foureira’s ‘Fuego’ which finished second placed; agonisingly close to achieving the island’s first ever victory.
Tamta with the song ‘Replay’ scored a respectable 13th place in Tel Aviv, holding up the favourable results on the left-side of the scoreboard.
Cyprus made its Eurovision debut in 1981 with the band ‘Island’ finishing 6th. In 1982, the legendary and iconic artist Anna Vissi scored 5th with ‘Moni I Agapi’. A number of Cypriot singers have comprised that illustrious list including Alexia, Michalis Hatzigiannis, Constantinos Christoforou and Evridiki, Ivi Adamou and Despina Olympiou. Locally British-Cypriot Lisa Andreas, who was 16-years-old performed the Mike Connaris ballad ‘Stronger Every Minute’ in the 2004 contest. All in all thirty-five hopefuls have pinned their colours to the mast as Cypriot acts in the biggest music competition in the world.
The Cypriot delegation will be certain to want to maintain the good run of form, following the recent successes by John Karayiannis, Minus One, Hovig, Eleni Foureira and Tamta.
Eurovision fans will be patiently waiting to find out the island’s thirty-sixth representative.
The Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Finals span from May 12th and May 14th and the Grand Final airs on Saturday 16th May 2019.
For all of your Eurovision news on Cyprus, make sure you regularly check back to lgr.co.uk and tune in to London Greek Radio to hear the latest music news.
Article written by Tony Neophytou
Stavros Flatley has come second in Britain’s Got Talent’s Champions Final.
The British-born, Greek-Cypriot, father-son dance duo was voted second on Saturday night’s “Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions Final” who were looking for the ‘ultimate champion’.
The likeable pair, Demi Demetriou and son Michalakis (nickname ‘Lagi’) excitingly engaged the studio and got the judges on their feet. Their routine was backed by the world-famous Mikis Theodorakis, “Zorba the Greek” music.
The routine over, senior Demetriou said to the judges and audience, “You’re all Greek now!”
The two-minute routine was fired-up with Cypriot dancers to compliment the act, which included Anthony Komodikis and Kiri Pitt.
Family and friends, including wife and mum, Karen Demetriou waved Cyprus flags. Listeners told LGR that they felt uniquely proud of seeing the Cypriot-patriotic colours at such a huge television event.
Demi Demetriou, 51, bounced onto the stage in character of the usual Riverdance music, only for Lagi, 23, to ‘cut it off’ and announce: “Let’s do this Greek style.”
He then told his dad: “Teach them to dance!”
Demi happily obliged, demanding that everybody in the studio gets up on their feet as Zorba the Greek started playing.
Stavros Flatley were Britain’s Got Talent finalists in the third series of the show, ten years ago in 2009.
Speaking after their energetic performance, judge David Walliams told them, “This is interpretive dance, it’s an interpretation of what dance is, and it was great you involved all of us actually.”
Simon Cowell agreed, with the 60-year-old telling the pair: “You just make us feel-good. In this country we just want to feel good and that is what you have just done.” Alesha Dixon echoed the sentiment, saying, “You made us smile, you made us feel good. What more can I say, I love you”.
Amanda Holden summarised the pair’s legacy with, “You are the heart of Britain’s Got Talent! You make my heart sing!”
In the end, the winners were dance duo Twist and Pulse. Ukrainian sand-artist Kseniya Simonova came third.
From LGR’s point of view, we thank Demi and Laki for the fun. The duo have often said it’s just a “fun jokey act” but one that we think, has always managed to extract that joyful, feel-good factor.
Article written by London Greek Radio
Forty-five years ago to this day the Turkish military launched its second offensive against the Republic of Cyprus, in full violation of international law, including the UN Charter, despite the ceasefire that had been agreed.
The Turkish army invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, and launched the second phase of the invasion on August 14 of the same year, occupying the best part of Mesaoria, Famagusta, Karpasia and Morphou.
On Sunday 11th August the British-Cypriot community held a commemorative event in conjunction with the Famagusta Association of Great Britain, at St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, Wightman Road. Its president Dr. Vasilis Mavrou and president of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK Christos Karaolis were in attendance at the event.
The Cyprus High Commissioner Euripides Evriviades who is retiring from his post this month, also present, to address the Church faithful and many visitors on this occasion. He gave a passionate speech about his six years serving the London office. The Cypriot diplomat explained how he tirelessly worked to campaign and enlighten others, on the Cyprus cause.
He underlined the values believed are central to the dispute, with a fairer future, that’s deserved for his Cypriot compatriots.
“All Cypriots Greek-Cypriots, Turkish-Cypriots, Maronites, Latin, Armenian deserve much better… What we want is nothing more and nothing less than other what is given to peace-loving people democracy, human rights and the rule of law, we are not children of a lesser God, we all burn under the same sun, we want democracy, human rights and the rule of law for everyone.” Mr Evriviades said.
To his fellow-Cypriots he urged always carrying the Cyprus flag high, Euripides said, “if we don’t hold our [Cypriot] flag high, then nobody else will respect it.”
He concluded his speech, thanking the Cypriot community of the UK for their continuous support, “[translated in Greek]… I believe you have made me a better human being, I have learnt so much from you [the British-Cypriots].” He also thanked the Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades for his appointment to the UK post.
The Turkish side continues to disregard calls by the international community relating to Cyprus and continues to hold the city of Famagusta hostage of its illegal military occupation. Dubbed a “ghost town”, Famagusta’s fenced off section – called Varosi – remains to this day deserted, abandoned to the elements.
Turkish troops invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, five days after the legal government of the late Archbishop Makarios III was toppled by a military coup, engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece. Two unproductive conferences in Geneva followed; the first between Britain, Greece and Turkey and the second with the additional attendance of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives. Three weeks after the ceasefire of July 22, and despite the fact that talks were still being held and just as an agreement seemed about to be reached, the Turkish army mounted a second full-scale offensive. As a result, Turkey increased its hold to include the booming tourist resort of Famagusta in the east and the rich citrus-growing area of Morphou in the west.
All in all, almost 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus came under Turkish military occupation. Nearly one-third of the population, some 200,000 Greek Cypriots, were forcibly uprooted from their homes and properties, thousands were killed during the hostilities, over 1,000 persons were listed as missing while thousands of Greek Cypriots and Maronites remained enclaved.
Numerous UN resolutions have demanded respect to the independence, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus, the return of the displaced to their homes, and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the island, but all resolutions have been ignored by Turkey.
The latest effort to reach a Cyprus settlement will get underway next month: with the Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, to meet with the U.N. secretary-general to map out the next steps toward a hoped-for resumption of formal reunification talks.
United Nations spokesman Aleem Siddique said Anastasiades and Akinci also decided to carry on discussions with U.N. envoy Jane Holl Lute to prepare the framework for “structured and results-oriented” negotiations leading to a peace deal “with a sense of urgency.”
Siddique said the two politicians discussed “in-depth the basic principles” of a potential peace accord.
Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The last round of negotiations, in the summer of 2017, at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
Article written by London Greek Radio
On July 20, 1974 at 5:20am, Turkish troops landed on the Republic of Cyprus’ coast five miles off Kyrenia. Since that day, nothing on the island has ever been the same.
Every year since, on the anniversary of the invasion, sirens have blared out over the Republic, recalling the moment Turkish troops invaded.
In 1974, approximately 40,000 Turkish troops under the command of Lieutenant Nurettin Ersin implemented their invasion plan, code-named ‘Attila’, illegally invading the island in violation of the UN Security Council Charter.
Turkey still illegally occupies 37 per cent of Cyprus’ territory.
Turkish troops invaded Cyprus on July 20, 1974, five days after the legal government of the late Archbishop Makarios III was toppled by a military coup, engineered by the military junta then ruling Greece. Two unproductive conferences in Geneva followed; the first between Britain, Greece and Turkey and the second with the additional attendance of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot representatives. Three weeks after the ceasefire of July 22, and despite the fact that talks were still being held and just as an agreement seemed about to be reached, the Turkish army mounted a second full-scale offensive. As a result, Turkey increased its hold to include the booming tourist resort of Famagusta in the east and the rich citrus-growing area of Morphou in the west.
All in all, almost 37% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus came under Turkish military occupation. Nearly one-third of the population, some 200,000 Greek Cypriots, were forcibly uprooted from their homes and properties, thousands were killed during the hostilities, over 1,000 persons were listed as missing while thousands of Greek Cypriots and Maronites remained enclaved.
Numerous UN resolutions have demanded respect to the independence, unity and territorial integrity of Cyprus, the return of the displaced to their homes, and the withdrawal of foreign troops from the island, but all resolutions have been ignored by Turkey.
The National Federation of Cypriots in the UK on Tuesday rallied Parliament, with the annual All-Party Parliamentary titled ‘Cyprus – Prospects for a Solution’. The Government Spokesperson of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr Prodromos Prodromou, briefed the APPG and members of the UK Cypriot community with the latest developments on the Cyprus issue.
The Federation President, Mr Christos Karaolis, thanked the 19 Parliamentarians, including the Minister and Shadow Minister, who were present and welcomed guests to the event and spoke of the UK Cypriot community’s hope and determination to see a reunited Cyprus free from the outdated system of guarantees and without the presence of foreign troops, as well as the return of refugees to their hometowns and properties. He added, “what we’re asking for is both fair and simple; a fully functioning state that is in line with the rule of law and is free from foreign interference. Put simply a “normal state” as the UN Secretary-General Mr Antonio Gutteres said in 2017.”
Mr Karaolis reassured those present, that despite it being 45 years since the illegal invasion, the Cypriot community is ‘louder than it has ever been before’ with 376 MPs receiving emails ‘calling for Turkey to take it’s #HandsOffCyprus”.
45 years on from the most tragic page in the Republic of Cyprus’ history, at 5:30am the war sirens rang around the island once more.
President, Nicos Anastasiades, expressed his readiness on Thursday to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, welcoming the latter’s proposal for an informal conference.
The UN Secretary-General told the leaders at the end of the Conference on Cyprus in Crans-Montana two years ago that he wanted both of them to get back to him when they were ready with a plan on when, how, and where they want to meet and do a deal, and not before.
Article written by London Greek Radio
Hollywood actor and filmmaker Nicolas Cage arrived in Cyprus this month to begin filming his new movie, “Jiu Jitsu.”
The film, from Dimitri Logothetis, will be shot entirely in Cyprus.
“Jiu Jitsu,” a sci-fi martial arts movie, will involve Nicolas Cage having to fight against a super-strong alien which comes to Earth on a mission to destroy. The cast includes Frank Grillo, Alain Moussi, Rick Yune, Marie Avgeropoulos and JuJu Chan.
It will be the first high profile production under recent incentives aiming to establish Cyprus as a filming destination under the name Olivewood.
The €24.6 million film will be shot entirely in Cyprus, taking advantage of a programme that gives productions the option to choose between cash rebate or tax credit, and also benefit from tax discounts on investments made on equipment and infrastructure. The cash rebate programme is a rebate of 25-30 percent on eligible expenditure.
The film’s producer and director Demetris Logothetis told CyBC TV that he already has plans to shoot a second film on the island written by Gary Scott Thompson of Fast and Furious fame.
The entire film will be shot in two Cypriot villages near the capital of Nicosia.
The villages of Mammari and Lympia will host the crew of the production team, and their surrounding landscapes will provide the entire backdrop of the movie.
The area of Mammari is home to some breath-taking limestone caves, something that makes it ideal for shooting this type of movie, with its dramatic themes of an alien takeover.
According to reports, the filming on Cyprus will last for approximately three weeks.
Cage received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance as an alcoholic Hollywood writer in Leaving Las Vegas (1995).
Here’s to many more movies made in OLIVEWOOD… so very Cypriot!
Article written by London Greek Radio
Former Cypriot President Demetris Christofias died on Friday 21st June at Nicosia General Hospital, a month after he was hospitalised for acute breathing problems. He was 72.
Earlier on Friday his doctor, Michalis Minas told the Cyprus News Agency that the former president died at 5:36 pm local time.
Christofias served a single five-year term as Cyprus’ sixth President from 2008 until 2013.
Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades confirmed his predecessor’s death expressing “deep sorrow.” Anastasiades said he and Christofias may have been on divergent political paths, but he did what he thought was best for his country.
Condolences to Christofias’ family poured in from Greek Cypriot political leaders as well as the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots Mustafa Akinci, who tweeted, (translated), “With great sadness, I’ve been made aware of the death of Demetris Christofias, a former Greek Cypriot leader and former General Secretary of AKEL. I express my sincere condolences to his wife and his three children, to the AKEL family and to the Greek Cypriot community in general.”
One of Cyprus’ best-known politicians, Christofias was born in Dikomo in the Kyrenia District, on 29th August 1946, and educated in Cyprus and Moscow.
First elected a member of parliament for Kyrenia in 1991, he was elected president of the House of Representatives in 2001. It was during his second term as speaker that he was elected president of the Republic in 2008.
Christofias was the only Cypriot president not to seek re-election, citing his failure to achieve his “life’s vision” of reunifying the country that had been split since Turkey invaded in 1974.
Christofias’ “man-of-the-people” persona endeared him to many.
He underwent a life-saving kidney transplant in 1999, in which the donor was his sister. He also had open-heart surgery earlier in the same year.
John Kyriakides, Chairman of LGR, said, “I am really saddened to learn of the death of Demetris. He was a good friend of LGR and I will keep fond memories of the former Cyprus President.”
An Extraordinary Cabinet Meeting was held on Saturday chaired by President Anastasiades confirming that the funeral of the former President will take place on Tuesday 25th June at the Holy Church of God’s Wisdom, in Strovolos, at 1700 local time.
After the meeting, Government Spokesman Prodromos Prodromou said that the Cabinet have declared national mourning until the day of the funeral, which will also be a public holiday.
Flags will fly at half-mast on all government buildings and schools.
Mr Christofias is survived by his wife, Elsie, two daughters, a son and grandchildren.
LGR express their sincere condolences to family and friends.
Article written by London Greek Radio
Singer Tamta, has officially recorded the Cypriot entry for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest at studios in Stockholm, Sweden.
She will sing ‘Replay‘, described as an up-tempo pop “banger”, at the 64th annual contest in Tel Aviv this May.
Georgian-Greek singer, Tamta Goduadze, 38, was announced as CyBC’s artist to represent Cyprus last December, officially instigating the Cypriot ‘well-drilled’, organised Eurovision machine quite early this year.
The song’s composer Alex Papaconstantinou AKA Alex P, was the man behind Eleni Foureira’s ‘Fuego’ – last year’s impressive runners-up position in the competition.
He has been assisted by Sweden-based songwriters Teddy Sky, Viktor Svensson, Kristoffer “Bonn” Fogelmark and Albin Nedler.
The songwriters have penned hits for some of the biggest-named artists in music such as One Direction, Mark Anthony, Demi Lovato, Avicii, MO, 5SOS, Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, Arash and more.
Tamta told Cypriot TV, (translated) “I’m going to (sic.Tel Aviv) without forecasting what position Cyprus will achieve. I hope that what we will present on stage will make you proud. I’d like to thank everybody for their support and hope that you stand by me on this wonderful Eurovision journey.”
Tamta revealed that she felt that the tune complimented her signature pop-style credentials and she was impressed with the creative team behind the track, which convinced her to fly the Cypriot flag in the competition.
She is soon to start filming the official music video to the Eurovision track this month.
The release date for the Cypriot tune is confirmed for March at the earliest, which enhances the fans’ excitement even more.
Cyprus competes in the Eurovision first Semi-Final on Tuesday 14th May at 8 pm GMT.
For all of your Eurovision news on Cyprus, make sure you regularly check back to lgr.co.uk and tune in to hear “Replay” on LGR in the coming weeks.
London Greek Radio wish Tamta and the Cypriot delegation the very best of luck in the competition.
Cyprus’ Eurovision Entry for 2019 Confirmed (click here for more Eurovision news)
‘Replay’ team, from left to right, Alex Papaconstantinou, Viktor Svensson, Teddy Sky, Tamta, Kristoffer “Bonn” Fogelmark, Albin Nedler (picture)
Article written by Tony Neophytou
Tamta Goduadze will represent Cyprus at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv in May.
The Cypriot broadcaster CyBC announced the female artist and song a few weeks ago, ending weeks of speculation.
Tamta will sing ‘Replay‘, a pop-dance, up-tempo number. Her entry is penned by Greek-Swedish hitmaker Alex Papaconstantiou, aka ‘Alex P‘, the man behind Eleni Fouriera’s ‘Fuego’ – the impressive runners-up from last year, along with Sweden-based songwriters Teddy Skye, Viktor Svensson, Kristoffer “Bonn” Fogelmark and Albin Nedler.
Tamta, 38, was born and raised in Georgia, where she started singing at the age of five and moved to Greece at the age of 20. After singing on a TV reality talent contest, she was signed by a major record label in Greece and has a back catalog of several hits.
The sure-fire Eurovision track is believed to be exactly moulded for Tamta’s signature pop-style credentials.
CyBC chiefs felt that Tamta was right for this year’s contest as she is perceived earnestly to have the “complete package” that comprises of a strong ‘live’ singer and entertaining act.
The Cypriot tune will be officially released in February or March, further maximising Eurovision fans excitement.
Cyprus also returns with Eurovision artistic stage director Sacha Jean-Baptise, the woman behind ‘Fuego’. She will be tasked with elevating Tamta’s stage routine ensuring that it will translate into points on the scoreboard.
The Head of the Cypriot delegation, Evi Papamichael explained that a big named artist would be a necessary solution to answer the Eurovision’s competitiveness, amidst so many countries, which numbers 42 this year. She said that Tamta was the broadcaster’s preference this year.
Tamta has had a long-time quest to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest and almost came close to achieving it on previous occasions. In 2007 Tamta was pipped to the post by Cypriot singer Sarbel, in Greece’s Eurovision heat stages, with the ballad ‘With Love’. In 2016, she missed the deadline for the Greek selection process by a few hours with the subsequently-released track ‘Unloved’.
Tamta felt it an incredible honour to be representing Cyprus, a nation which has always strongly supported her music endeavours and undertaking this bold task, was a way of her giving something back to her Cypriot fan-base.
Having released four studio albums (including a Best Of) and multiple hit singles, Tamta is frequently heard on the LGR airwaves.
For all of your Eurovision news on Cyprus, make sure you regularly check back to lgr.co.uk and tune in to hear “Replay” on LGR in the coming weeks.
London Greek Radio wish Tamta and the Cypriot delegation the very best of luck in the competition.
Article written by Tony Neophytou
Cyprus has confirmed that Greek star Eleni Foureira will be the Cypriot representative for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest held in Portugal.
Cypriot broadcaster CyBC made the official announcement and the title of her entry ‘Fuego’ (Spanish for “It’s Fire”), is written by Alex Papaconstantinou, or Alex P, a Greek-Swedish producer, well-known in Eurovision circles.
The up-tempo Eurovision track has a distinctive, maybe even innovative, ethnic feel with it sometimes being referred to as “ethno upbeat”.
It is a modern pop song that embellishes the instrument of the clarinet or ‘klarino’ as a familiar ethnicity trait in Greek, as well as Mediterranean music.
CyBC chiefs felt that the Albanian-born singer was right for this year’s contest as the upbeat song compliments Eleni as a singer and dancer.
Eleni, who will be 31 by the time of the contest in May, began her music career in 2007 as a member of the Greek girl group Mystique, before pursuing a solo career after the group disbanded in 2009. She is charismatic, who’s stage-skills are expected to “attack” the Cypriot entry effectively which will no doubt, help this upbeat song.
The staging of the entry has been assigned to the internationally acclaimed artistic director and choreographer Sacha Jean-Baptiste, who has extensive experience at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Cypriot bosses had ditched ideas of a Cypriot sing-off to find their entry’s hopeful and instead made the offer to Eleni’s Panik Records, therefore, internally selecting her for it.
In a statement, the singer said she felt incredibly honoured to sing for Cyprus and is hoping to set the leader board on fire, with her catchy track.
”I would like to say a big thank you to CyBC and all the Cypriot people, for giving me this opportunity. It is a great honour for me to represent this wonderful country which has supported me that much for all of these years.
She added, “My Eurovision song is called Fuego. It is written in English; only its title is Spanish. I am very glad that Alex has composed such a great song. This has actually been the reason for my positive answer to this Eurovision invitation. My promise is that I will do my best.”
Eleni was born in Fier, Albania and is a Greek artist of Albanian origin. She has lived in Greece from a very young age when her family settled in Kallithea, Athens.
Her back-catalogue of successful London Greek Radio hits have included her current hit ‘Vasilissa’, along with ‘To Kati’, ‘Ase Me’, ‘Chica Bomb’, ‘Reggaeton’, ‘To Party De Stamata’, ‘Ston Erota Tin Trela’, ‘Fotia ft. Nevma’, ‘Pio Erota Pethaineis’, ‘Rantevou Stin Paralia’, ‘Anemos Agapis’, ‘Pio Dinata’, ‘Ti Koitas’, and ‘2018 S’agapo’.
Eleni has always desired to be at Eurovision, revealing that it has always been a childhood dream of hers.
In 2016 she proposed ‘Ti Koitas (Come Tiki Tam)’ to the Greek national broadcaster ERT, but they refused it. Greece failed to qualify for the final for the first time that year with Argo.
Eleni almost made it to Eurovision in 2010, when she competed in the 2010 ‘Ethniko Teliko’ with ‘Kivotos Tou Noe’. While she missed out by coming second place, it did not diminish her Eurovision goal, which is lucky for Cyprus as she’s tipped to have a “killer track.”
In the last few years, Eleni has released four successful studio albums and multiple singles. One of those hits was ‘Sto Theo Me Paei’, a Greek cover of the 2015 Eurovision entry of Israel ‘Golden Boy’ by Nadar Guedj.
More recently she has released singles in both Greek and English and in 2017 scored a new international hit with the song ‘Send For Me’, a collaboration with successful producer and rapper A.M. SNiPE.
‘Fuego’ will be released in the coming weeks, with no official date set yet.
The LGR website will have the song on its release date in the weeks leading up to the competition.
The Cypriot delegation will be quietly optimistic about their qualifying chances for a fourth year, following the recent successes by Minus One, John Karayiannis and Hovig.
Cyprus competes in the First Eurovision Semi-Final which airs on Tuesday 8th May, on BBC Four. The Top 10 countries to qualify are assured a place in the final on Saturday 12th May, on BBC One.
London Greek Radio wish Eleni Foureira and the Cypriot delegation the very best of luck in the competition.
Article written by Tony Neophytou
