Cypriot participation in Eurovision 2026 is causing strong reactions, as a group of citizens sent a letter to the Board of Directors of RIK, expressing their opposition to both the song and the accompanying video clip chosen to represent the country in this year’s competition.
According to the content of the letter, which is signed by persons from the field of culture, journalism, the academic community and creation, this participation is characterized as an “unacceptable presentation of Cyprus”, which “insults the country, its traditions and aesthetics”. The signatories question the incompatibility of the aesthetics of the videoclip with the image that, as they say, the Republic of Cyprus is trying to project in the context of the Presidency of the Council of Europe.
Special mention is made of the use of the Greek language, which – as noted – is limited to expressions such as “opa” and “jalla”, but also to scenes of the videoclip which, according to them, “legitimize dangerous practices of road delinquency”.
With their letter, the citizens call on the RIK Board of Directors:
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to withdraw the particular video clip,
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to withdraw the song from the competition,
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and inform taxpayers of the costs of production and participation, as well as the jury members and those who approved the script and production.
The letter has been made public and a statement from RIK is expected, as the issue has already sparked a public debate around the selection criteria and the role of the state broadcaster in international events.
Same letter
