The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) has announced, via its official website, that the Mediterranean island country will not be participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen. CyBC’s board said that they reached the decision after determining a need to cut spending on programs, despite public interest.
Cyprus has had a bumpy history with placing in Eurovision, having qualified to the final only 4 out of 10 times since the semifinals were introduced in 2004. It was in 2004 that they received their highest placement since 1997 with Lisa Andreas’ “Stronger Every Minute” placing fifth. Cyprus did not qualify to the 2013 final, with Despina Olympiou’s “An me thimasai” placing 15th in its semifinal.
Cyprus had participated in every year since its debut in 1981, except in 1984 and 2001. In 1984, CyBC determined that their entry was ineligible and withdrew. In 2001, their average score in past contests was not enough for them to qualify.
Cyprus joins Croatia on the list of cash-strapped countries unable to participate this year due to the economic crisis.
Will you miss Cyprus in Copenhagen this year? Tell us in the Cyprus 2014 forum.
Hasso G
October 4, 2013 at 18:43
ivrimkatalanit, that is not an accurate statement.
Cyprus sent songs in their own language in 2008, 2011 & 2013.
However in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 & 2012 they chose the English language. (And randomly French in 2007)
ivrimkatalanit
October 4, 2013 at 10:13
A great loss, cyprus always sends song in their own language and they are usually good songs 🙁
rajo
October 3, 2013 at 19:53
What Cyprus really says it, we don’t like the new transparency rules for the judget, because we don’t want to show how we all give 12 points to Greece.
Matt Friedrichs
October 3, 2013 at 18:22
This sucks monkey balls.
Zack
October 3, 2013 at 17:42
On the bright side, Bulgaria and San Marino have a better shot at qualifying now!
Ron
October 3, 2013 at 17:04
Cyprus is very rich country, GDP per capita is $26,389.
If Eurovision is only for rich countries, we would see only Cyprus, Greece, West-Europe and Scandinavia every year…
Roy van der Merwe
October 3, 2013 at 16:58
Something has to be done to spot countries from withdrawing. It cannot just be for rich countries