Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Encyclopedia
Cyprus participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. CyBC
announced that Cyprus's 2009 Eurovision entry would be selected through a national final where the general public will be the one to decide the winner via 100% televoting
. The national final was held on February 7, 2009.
with the song "Mono I Agapi
" performed by Anna Vissi
, in 1997
with "Mana Mou" performed by Hara and Andreas Constantinou, and 2004
with "Stronger Every Minute
" performed by Lisa Andreas
. Cyprus's least successful result was in 1986 when it placed last in 1986
with the song "Tora Zo
" by Elpida
, receiving only three points in total. However, its worst finish in terms of points received was when it placed second to last in 1999
with "Tha'nai Erotas" by Marlain Angelidou
, receiving only two.
The Cypriot national broadcaster, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation
(CyBC) broadcasts the event in Cyprus each year and organizes the selection process for its entry. Selection processes have varied over the years from full national finals such as in 2004
, 2006
, and 2008
, where the public chooses both the song and performer, to internal selections such as in 2005
and 2007
where the artist and sometimes song also is chosen by CyBC. For 2009, CyBC chose to hold a national final as it had the previous year.
. The selection process was almost identical to that of 2008
's. A submission deadline for songs was set for November 28, 2008 with the condition that writers be residents of Cyprus for at least two years. Cypriots, regardless of their country of residence, could also have submitted a song. The songs could be sung in any language, but they could not be submitted to multiple broadcasters in the contest.
Out of all of the entries received, 20 were chosen originally and then a seven-member jury cut down the number of songs to ten which proceeded to the national final where the public chose the entrant completely by televoting
. The seven member jury was drawn from a pot of fourteen suggested candidates and their identities will not be revealed throughout the duration of the final. In the case that the televoting system went down, the jury would have be used as an alternative to choose the entrant. The names of the ten finalist songs for the national final were announced on December 16, 2008, while the singer for each song was announced on January 20, 2009.
", nor the host of the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
, after Evdokia Kadi
placed 15th in the second semi-final in 2008
, Cyprus had to compete in the second semi-final to proceed onto the final in Moscow
. Christina performed seventh in the semi-final on 14 May, following Norway
and preceding Slovakia
, however she failed to qualify Cyprus to the final for the fourth consecutive year.
CYBC
CYBC may refer to:* Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation, Cyprus' public broadcasting service.* The IATA code for Baie-Comeau Airport, in Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Canada....
announced that Cyprus's 2009 Eurovision entry would be selected through a national final where the general public will be the one to decide the winner via 100% televoting
Televoting
Televoting, telephone voting or phone voting is a method of decision making and opinion polling conducted by telephone. Televoting can also extend to voting by SMS text message via a mobile cell phone.- Broadcast contest televoting :...
. The national final was held on February 7, 2009.
Background
Cyprus has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest twenty-six times since its first entry in 1981. Its best placing was fifth, which it achieved three times: in 1982Eurovision Song Contest 1982
The Eurovision Song Contest 1982 was the 27th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 24 April 1982 in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The presenter was Jan Leeming. The opening of the contest showed a map of Europe, with the translation "Where is Harrogate?" popping up on-screen from...
with the song "Mono I Agapi
Mono I Agapi
"Mono I Agapi" was the Cypriot entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1982, performed in Greek by Anna Vissi...
" performed by Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi
Anna Vissi , known as Anna Vishy in Cypriot Greek, is a Greek-Cypriot recording artist and actress...
, in 1997
Eurovision Song Contest 1997
The Eurovision Song Contest 1997, was the 42nd Eurovision Song Contest and it was held at the Point Theatre Dublin, Ireland, on 3 May 1997. Boyzone member Ronan Keating and Carrie Crowley were the presenters of the show....
with "Mana Mou" performed by Hara and Andreas Constantinou, and 2004
Eurovision Song Contest 2004
The Eurovision Song Contest 2004, was the 49th Contest and it was held in the Abdi İpekçi Arena in Istanbul, Turkey. This was the first occasion in which the contest was held in Turkey after they had won the competition in 2003 with Sertab Erener singing "Everyway That I Can"...
with "Stronger Every Minute
Stronger Every Minute
"Stronger Every Minute" was the Cypriot entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004, performed in English by Lisa Andreas. The song was finished 5th in the final....
" performed by Lisa Andreas
Lisa Andreas
Lisa Andreas is an English singer of Cypriot descent. At age 16, she represented Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 and came fifth with her performance of "Stronger Every Minute". Andreas was the youngest singer taking part in the competition that year.-2001 - 2003:Andreas won a...
. Cyprus's least successful result was in 1986 when it placed last in 1986
Eurovision Song Contest 1986
The Eurovision Song Contest 1986 was the 31st Eurovision Song Contest and was held on 3 May 1986 in the Grieg Hall in Bergen, Norway. It was the first occasion on which Norway played host to the contest...
with the song "Tora Zo
Tora Zo
"Tora Zo" was the Cypriot entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1986, performed in Greek by Elpida....
" by Elpida
Elpida
Elpida Karayiannopoulou , is a Greek singer who was one of the most successful singers in Greece and the Greek diaspora in the 1970s and 1980s....
, receiving only three points in total. However, its worst finish in terms of points received was when it placed second to last in 1999
Eurovision Song Contest 1999
The Eurovision Song Contest 1999 was the 44th Eurovision Song Contest, held on 29 May 1999 in Jerusalem, Israel after Dana International won the contest the previous year in the United Kingdom. The venue for the contest was the International Convention Center...
with "Tha'nai Erotas" by Marlain Angelidou
Marlen Angelidou
Marlain Angelidou sometimes spelt Marlen Angelidou , is a Greek singer and actress. She is best known for being former member of Greece's first ever manufactered girl band, Hi-5, as well as representing Cyprus in 1999's Eurovision Song Contest with Tha 'Ne Erotas...
, receiving only two.
The Cypriot national broadcaster, Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation
Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation
The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation ) or CyBC is Cyprus's public broadcasting service, transmitting island-wide on four radio and two television channels. CyBC is a non-profit organization that utilises its entire income for the promotion of its main mission, which is the objective provision of...
(CyBC) broadcasts the event in Cyprus each year and organizes the selection process for its entry. Selection processes have varied over the years from full national finals such as in 2004
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004
Cyprus was represented by Lisa Andreas and the song "Stronger Every Minute", with music and English lyric by Mike Connaris, and Greek lyric by Matheson Bayley and Andrew Adams...
, 2006
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006
Cyprus participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with "Why Angels Cry" performed by Annet Artani. The song placed 15th in the semi-final with 57 points and therefore did not qualify for the final.-A Song for Europe:...
, and 2008
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Evdokia Kadi was chosen as the Cypriot representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. The song selection took place in the form of a national final organized by CyBC. "Femme Fatale" is a traditional Greek Laïkó song with a French title.-National final:...
, where the public chooses both the song and performer, to internal selections such as in 2005
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005
Cyprus was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 by Constantinos Christoforou and the song "Ela Ela ". The Cypriot National Final was held on February 1, in Limassol hosted by Tasos Trifonos and Eleni Manousaki. Prior to the national final, the Cypriot Broadcaster CyBC had internally...
and 2007
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007
Cyprus and Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation chose Evridiki as the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 participant using an internal selection. The composer of the song is Dimitris Korgialas, with Posidonas Giannopoulos as the lyricist. The song is an Electro-pop dance song titled "Comme Ci, Comme Ça",...
where the artist and sometimes song also is chosen by CyBC. For 2009, CyBC chose to hold a national final as it had the previous year.
National final
The national final was held on February 7, 2009 at CyBC's Studio 3 in Nicosia, Cyprus. The original selection date was set for January 31, 2009, but it was rumored to be changed to accommodate a possible guest appearance by Sakis RouvasSakis Rouvas
Anastasios "Sakis" Rouvas II , often referred to mononymously as Sakis, is a Greek musician, television and film artist, businessman, and former pole vaulter who is one of the most successful and influential entertainers of all time in Greece and Cyprus...
. The selection process was almost identical to that of 2008
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Evdokia Kadi was chosen as the Cypriot representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. The song selection took place in the form of a national final organized by CyBC. "Femme Fatale" is a traditional Greek Laïkó song with a French title.-National final:...
's. A submission deadline for songs was set for November 28, 2008 with the condition that writers be residents of Cyprus for at least two years. Cypriots, regardless of their country of residence, could also have submitted a song. The songs could be sung in any language, but they could not be submitted to multiple broadcasters in the contest.
Out of all of the entries received, 20 were chosen originally and then a seven-member jury cut down the number of songs to ten which proceeded to the national final where the public chose the entrant completely by televoting
Televoting
Televoting, telephone voting or phone voting is a method of decision making and opinion polling conducted by telephone. Televoting can also extend to voting by SMS text message via a mobile cell phone.- Broadcast contest televoting :...
. The seven member jury was drawn from a pot of fourteen suggested candidates and their identities will not be revealed throughout the duration of the final. In the case that the televoting system went down, the jury would have be used as an alternative to choose the entrant. The names of the ten finalist songs for the national final were announced on December 16, 2008, while the singer for each song was announced on January 20, 2009.
Results
| Draw | Singer | Song | Composer - Lyricist | Televotes | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tefkros Neokleous | "Mary" | Tefkros Neokleous | 2161 | 8 |
| 2 | Christina Metaxa Christina Metaxa Christina Metaxa born April 4, 1992 is a Cypriot singer-songwriter born in Limassol. Her brother Nikolas Metaxas, who is also is a singer, won second place in the Greek version of The X Factor; he is also the creator and composer of Christina's Eurovision entry.She now attends Brown University,... |
"Firefly Firefly (song) "Firefly" was the Cypriot entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2009, sung by Christina Metaxa. The song was composed by Metaxa's brother Nikolas Metaxas. A second version was made from the original version that won in Cyprus at the national final... " |
Nikolas Metaxas Nikolas Metaxas Nikolas Metaxas is a Cypriot singer and songwriter who became famous after coming second in the first season of the Greek version of The X Factor.... |
12309 | 1 |
| 3 | Marlen Angelidou Marlen Angelidou Marlain Angelidou sometimes spelt Marlen Angelidou , is a Greek singer and actress. She is best known for being former member of Greece's first ever manufactered girl band, Hi-5, as well as representing Cyprus in 1999's Eurovision Song Contest with Tha 'Ne Erotas... & The Diesel Sisters |
"Mr Do Right One Night Stand" | Marlen Angelidou | 2526 | 7 |
| 4 | Marian Georgiou | "Heartbeat" | Dionisis Stamatopoulos, Antroulla Michael | 1535 | 10 |
| 5 | Alex Panayi | "There is Love" | Alex Panayi | 3305 | 6 |
| 6 | Zel Mr. Zel Zeliş Şenol is a Turkish Cypriot singer. She was born in Nicosia. She has been involved with music from a young age and has taken part in a number of festivals and toured all the major cities of Cyprus. She has also has worked with Grammy winner, Billy Paul and sung in a concert with Billy Cobham.... |
"I'm Gonna Breakup With You" | Nikos Evagellou, Tefkros Neokleous | 3338 | 5 |
| 7 | Pieros Kezou Pieros Kezou - Biography :Pieros Kezou was born in Paralimni, Cyprus on the 15th of November. Growing up in the first difficult years of the islands recent turbulent history, Pieros showed early signs of maturity and a high interest in music. Ηe would lock himself in his room with a voice recorder and a small... |
"Bleed 4 U" | Pieros Kezou | 6590 | 2 |
| 8 | Christiana Theokli, Kostantina Georgiou, Andreas Christofrou | "Moving On" | Giorgos Sinos, Christina Georgiou | 3737 | 4 |
| 9 | Katerina Neokleous | "I Believe" | Katerina Neokleous | 1992 | 9 |
| 10 | Gore Melian | "I Wanna Thank You" | Gore Melian | 3877 | 3 |
At Eurovision
As Cyprus is not one of the "Big FourEurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
", nor the host of the Eurovision Song Contest 2009
Eurovision Song Contest 2009
The Eurovision Song Contest 2009 was the 54th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest and was hosted by Russia after their win in 2008. It took place between 12 and 16 May 2009 at the Olympic Indoor Arena in Moscow, Russia....
, after Evdokia Kadi
Evdokia Kadi
Evdokia Kadi is a Greek Cypriot singer who represented Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008, with the song "Femme Fatale". She was eliminated in the second semi-final on May 22 and therefore did not make it to the final.She started her singing career in 2001 at the University of Cyprus...
placed 15th in the second semi-final in 2008
Eurovision Song Contest 2008
The Eurovision Song Contest 2008 was the 53rd edition of the Contest. It was hosted in Belgrade, Serbia after Marija Šerifović won the 2007 Contest in Helsinki, Finland. This year was the first contest to have two semi-finals which were held on 20 and 22 May, and the final held on 24 May 2008...
, Cyprus had to compete in the second semi-final to proceed onto the final in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
. Christina performed seventh in the semi-final on 14 May, following Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
and preceding Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
, however she failed to qualify Cyprus to the final for the fourth consecutive year.