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Cyprus made its Eurovision Song Contest debut in 1981, marking the island nation’s first steps on one of the world’s biggest music stages. Though relatively small in size, Cyprus has consistently delivered vibrant performances, representing the country’s rich culture, talent, and passion for music.

1980s – 1990s: Steady Participation and Experimentation

The journey began in Dublin, Ireland, with the Cypriot broadcaster Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) selecting the band Island to represent the nation. The song “Monika” written by Doros Georgiades and composed by Stavros Sideras, was a soft, folk-inspired track with lyrics in Greek. Its theme focused on a girl named Monika, and the music had a traditional Cypriot essence.

This debut performance placed Cyprus in 6th position with 69 points—a respectable and impressive result for a newcomer in the competition. The success of “Monika” set the stage for Cyprus’s future Eurovision endeavors, showing that even a small country could make a splash in a contest that had long been dominated by larger nations. Next year, in 1982, the country was represented by Anna Vissi, with the song “Mono i agapi“, which placed 5th with 85 points, giving Cyprus an even better result than in 1981.

Cyprus’ participation in Eurovision came with its own set of challenges. Being a smaller nation with a limited music industry compared to some of its larger European counterparts, finding the right combination of song and artist was often difficult. Additionally, the political situation with neighboring Greece and Turkey sometimes overshadowed the contest, with Cyprus consistently awarding its maximum points to Greece, a move that became a familiar and often critiqued tradition, while Cyprus and Turkey never exchanged votes until 2003.

The 1990s marked a period of experimentation for Cyprus, as the country embraced a variety of genres and artists. Cyprus frequently finished in the middle of the leaderboard during this decade. Artists like Evridiki became Eurovision regulars, with Evridiki representing the country three times in total. Her 1992 entry “Teriazoume” and her 1994 entry “Ime anthropos ki ego” both achieved 11th place. While finishing in the top 10 four times in the ’90s, they got their best result to date, getting another 5th place in 1997 with “Mana mou” performed by Hara and Andreas Konstantionu.

Cyprus also had its fair share of challenges. In 1999, Marlain’s entry “Tha’ne erotas” ended up placing 22nd with only 2 points, marking one of the country’s worst results to date.

2000s: A Language Shift and Revival

The turn of the century saw Cyprus increasingly turning to English-language entries to reach a broader audience. In 2002, Cyprus achieved a major comeback with the boyband One and their song “Gimme” which placed 6th with 85 points. This return to the top 10 reaffirmed Cyprus’ potential in Eurovision, especially when paired with modern pop influences.

Another high point came in 2004 when Lisa Andreas performed the ballad “Stronger Every Minute” finishing 5th in the final with 170 points, one of the country’s best results. However, the 2000s also brought several struggles, including entries like Stelios Constantas‘s “Feeling Alive” in 2003 (20th) and Annet Artani’s “Why Angels Cry” in 2006, which failed to qualify for the final.

2010s: The Rise of Contemporary Pop

The 2010s were a transformative decade for Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest, marked by a shift toward contemporary pop music, international collaborations, and a focus on creating performances that could capture the hearts of viewers across Europe. After years of fluctuating results in the early 2000s, Cyprus found a renewed sense of identity in Eurovision, culminating in its most successful result ever.

In 2012, Cyprus struck gold with one of its most memorable entries of the decade—Ivi Adamou and her infectious pop hit “La La Love”. The upbeat, danceable song with a catchy chorus immediately stood out from the competition, receiving widespread attention even before the contest.

Ivi Adamou’s performance in Baku, Azerbaijan, earned Cyprus 7th place in the semi-final and a 16th-place finish in the grand final with 65 points. While not a top-tier result, “La La Love” became a fan favorite and gained commercial success across Europe, solidifying Cyprus’ ability to produce contemporary, radio-friendly music. It marked a turning point, where Cyprus leaned more heavily into modern pop music, setting the tone for its future entries.

Following the success of “La La Love,” Cyprus continued to experiment with a range of musical styles throughout the mid-2010s, though results remained inconsistent.

In 2013, Cyprus reverted to a more traditional ballad with Despina Olympiou’s “An me thimáse” sung in Greek. The entry, a melancholic love song, struggled to make an impact and failed to qualify for the final, finishing 15th in the semi-final.

After skipping the 2014 contest due to financial constraints, Cyprus returned in 2015 with John Karayiannis and his song “One Thing I Should Have Done”. The stripped-back ballad with emotive vocals, earned Cyprus a 6th place finish in the semi-final and 22nd place in the final. While not a top result, it proved Cyprus could still compete in a crowded field of entries with a more subdued, intimate performance.

In 2016, Cyprus entered the competition with Minus One and their rock-infused track “Alter Ego”. The song was a departure from Cyprus’ usual pop style, blending rock with electronic elements. Despite finishing 8th in the semi-final and 21st in the grand final, “Alter Ego” was praised for its originality and energy, reflecting the country’s willingness to embrace different genres and keep their entries fresh.

In 2017, Cyprus returned to a more traditional Eurovision pop sound with Hovig and his song “Gravity”. The song carried a modern pop vibe with an electronic beat and moody undertones. Hovig’s strong performance and charismatic stage presence earned Cyprus a respectable 5th place in the semi-final, and 21st place in the final.

The defining moment of Cyprus’ Eurovision history came in 2018 with Eleni Foureira and her electrifying performance of “Fuego.” The entry, a dance-pop anthem with Latin-inspired beats, took the Eurovision stage by storm in Lisbon, Portugal. Foureira’s high-energy performance, paired with captivating choreography and pyrotechnics, made “Fuego” an instant fan favorite.

Foureira’s charisma and stage presence were undeniable, and she quickly became one of the leading contenders for the top prize. In the grand final, Cyprus earned its best-ever result, finishing 2nd with an astounding 436 points—only behind Israel’s Netta and her song “Toy.”. “Fuego” became a massive hit across Europe, cementing Eleni Foureira’s status as a Eurovision icon and raising the bar for future Cypriot entries.

The success of “Fuego” was a breakthrough moment, proving that Cyprus could compete at the highest levels of the contest. It also marked a shift in the country’s Eurovision strategy, showing a clear move toward dynamic, performance-driven entries with international appeal.

After the unprecedented success of “Fuego,” Cyprus aimed to maintain its momentum in the following years. In 2019, Cyprus selected Tamta to perform the song “Replay,” another pop anthem reminiscent of “Fuego.” Despite high expectations, Tamta’s performance finished 13th in the final with 109 points. While not reaching the same heights as “Fuego,” “Replay” kept Cyprus in the upper half of the leaderboard and confirmed the country’s commitment to producing contemporary bops.

2020s – A Decade of Challenges

The decade began with an unprecedented challenge—the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic disrupted the annual event, which had been set to take place in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Cyprus was set to be represented by Sandro with his song “Running”, a track that combined a powerful pop sound with emotional lyrics.

As Eurovision returned in 2021, Cyprus aimed to make a strong comeback with Elena Tsagrinou and her bold entry, “El Diablo”. The song, an upbeat dance-pop anthem with a provocative title and powerful chorus, quickly gained attention. Elena’s performance in Rotterdam was vibrant and full of energy, reflecting the high-energy style Cyprus was known for. The song’s performance earned Cyprus a 16th place finish in the grand final, with 94 points and despite not reaching the top spots, “El Diablo” was praised for its strong production and the dynamic performance.

In 2022, Cyprus faced a setback with Andromache and her song “Ela”. Sung in both Greek and English, “Ela” aimed to captivate audiences with its blend of traditional and modern elements and became an instant fan favorite. However, the entry failed to qualify for the final, finishing 12th in the semi-final with 63 points. Despite the disappointment, the song’s unique mix of languages and styles highlighted Cyprus’ continued experimentation with its Eurovision entries.

In 2023, Cyprus made a notable return to form with Andrew Lambrou and his song “Break a Broken Heart” Combining powerful vocals with a catchy, emotive chorus, the entry was well-received by fans. The song achieved a solid 12th place in the final with 126 points, and a 7th place finish in the semi-final with 94 points.

In 2024, Cyprus continued its Eurovision journey with Silia Kapsis and her track “Liar”. The song, performed in English, aimed to make a memorable impact with its engaging melody and strong performance. The result was a 15th place finish in the final with 78 points and a 6th place in the semi-final with 67 points.

The decade has seen Cyprus grappling with the effects of the pandemic, experimenting with diverse musical genres, and striving to recapture the success of its previous high points. Despite the ups and downs, Cyprus remains a vibrant and dedicated participant in Eurovision, demonstrating resilience and creativity in its approach to the contest.

Eurovision 2025: What to Expect?

As the countdown to Eurovision 2025 begins, Cyprus has set high expectations with Theo Evan at the helm. With his innovative style and engaging performances, there’s a lot to look forward to in the upcoming contest.

For those eager to dive deeper into Theo Evan’s background, music style, and previous accomplishments, you can check the below article where you can explore his journey as an artist, his influences, and what makes him a good choice for next year’s Eurovision.

🇨🇾 Theo Evan will represent Cyprus in Basel