20-39
Best result: Yuksek – Extraball – 5th in NSC 38
Worst result: Utah Saints – Something Good 08 – 22nd SF in NSC 20
It all began with independence day – March 8th 2008. Cydoni-Gibberia became the newest nation birthed to Natia, having been granted independence from Arjastan in an amicable peace deal. The vibrant nation of 52 million people had been reborn from ancient Cydu tribal areas conquered in years past by Arjan explorers, and immediately sought to establish Cydu culture internationally. After joining the United Natians and the Natian football federations, the nation’s broadcaster CyGiTV was promptly installed as a member of the NBU and took one of the last vacant spots on the contest’s roster shortly after.
Cydoni-Gibberia debuted in the contest in the 20th edition, with the bright-eyed delegation heading to Fuel, the capital of Ugaly, with hopes high for continued success in the contest. Things started poorly, with Utah Saints finishing last in the semi-final on the nation’s maiden voyage in the contest. To this day, this remains one of only three last place finishes for Cydoni-Gibberia in the contest.
Things improved rapidly; the first qualification in NSC 21 saw Uniting Nations earn a 9th place finish for Cygo, as it affectionately and colloquially became known, before the iconic Pigloo’s “Moi J’aime Skier” followed up with another qualification in NSC 22.
Early entries tended to be orientated towards upbeat pop or dance, although some of the alternative tendencies Cygo would become known for were first shown in NSC 24, when InnerPartySystem established their name in Natia with the powerful electro-rock anthem “Don’t Stop”, earning a solid 18th place in the final in a pop-heavy competition, and encouraging the broadcaster to make more bold choices more often.
Results were intermittent, with qualification seemingly on a 50/50 basis, but it was not until the end of this period that Cydoni-Gibberia started to rack up more points. Röyksopp set the new highest finish for the country in NSC 36, with “Happy Up Here” narrowly missing out on the nation’s first prequalification. Two editions later, in NSC 38, Yuksek and his French electropop track “Extraball” achieved what many in the country thought impossible – a top five finish for the red, purple and yellow.
The nation rounded off this period with Enter Shikari’s “Juggernauts” as the first ever directly qualified entry into the final from Cydoni-Gibberia. The band finished 23rd, keeping their heads above the bottom five.
Results in full:
What is your favourite Cydu entry from this period?