Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013

Cyprus participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö, Sweden, and selected their entry through an internal selection, organised by the Cypriot broadcaster Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC). Despina Olympiou represented Cyprus with the song "An me thimasai", which failed to qualify from the first semi-final of the contest, placing 15th and scoring 11 points.[1][2][3]

Eurovision Song Contest 2013
Country Cyprus
National selection
Selection processInternal selection
Selection date(s)Artist: 23 January 2013
Song: 14 February 2013
Selected entrantDespina Olympiou
Selected song"An me thimasai"
Finals performance
Semi-final resultFailed to qualify (15th, 11 points)
Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2012 • 2013 • 2015►

Background
Main article: Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest

Prior to the 2013 Contest, Cyprus had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest twenty-nine times since its first entry in 1981.[4] Its best placing was fifth, which it achieved three times: in 1982 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.[5] In 2012, Cyprus selected Ivi Adamou to represent the country in Baku. Ivi achieved the 16th place in the final making it their best result since 2004.[6]

Before Eurovision

Internal selection

Prior to the official announcement of CyBC, many different artists were rumoured to have been in negotiations or in contention for being selected. Among these artists were Giorgos Papadopoulos, Valando Tryfonos, Despina Olympiou, Vera Boufi, Filippos Konstantinou and Giorgos Doukas.[7][8][9]

On 1 February 2013, CyBC announced that Despina Olympiou was internally selected to represent Cyprus.[10] During a press conference on 14 February 2013, the Cypriot song, "An me thimasai", with lyrics by Zenon Zindilis and music by Andreas Giorgallis, was officially presented to the public and press.[2][11]

Preparation

Olympiou travelled to Greece on 18 February 2013 to promote her entry during the Greek national final.[12] Spanish (Si Me Recuerdas) and English acoustic (If You Think Of Me) versions of the song were released to promote the entry prior to the contest.[13][14]

At Eurovision
Despina Olympiou at the first semi-final dress rehearsal in Malmö.

Cyprus was allocated to compete in the first semi-final on 14 May for a place in the final on 18 May.[15] In the first semifinal, the producers of the show decided that Cyprus would perform 14th, following Ireland and preceding Belgium.[16] The Cypriot performance featured Olympiou alone on stage, wearing a black silk dress with tulle elements.[17]

Cyprus failed to qualify from the first semi-final of the competition, placing 15th and scoring 11 points.[1][3]

Points awarded to Cyprus
Points awarded to Cyprus (semi-final 1)[3]
12 points 10 points 8 points 7 points 6 points
5 points 4 points 3 points 2 points 1 point

Points awarded by Cyprus

References
  1. Leon, Jakov (14 May 2013). "We have our first ten finalists!". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  2. Roxburgh, Gordon (14 February 2013). "Cyprus present their love song for Malmö". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  3. "Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Semi-Final (1)". Eurovision.tv. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  4. "Eurovision Song Contest 1981". EBU. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
  5. "History by Country: Cyprus". European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
  6. "Eurovision Song Contest 2012". EBU. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 26 May 2012.
  7. "Cyprus: Giorgos Papadopoulos Chosen by CyBC?". escflashmalta.com. 27 October 2012.
  8. "Cyprus: Valando Trifonos Selected Internally?". escXtra.com. 16 January 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014.
  9. "ΑΣΤΡΑΨΕ & ΒΡΟΝΤΗΞΕ ΤΟ ΡΙΚ ΓΙΑ ΤΙΣ ΕΞΕΛΙΞΕΙΣ ΤΗΣ EUROVISION 2013 - ΠΟΙΕΣ ΟΙ ΕΠΟΜΕΝΕΣ ΚΙΝΗΣΕΙΣ". ShowTime-cy (in Greek). Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  10. "It's Despina Olympiou for Cyprus". European Broadcasting Union. 1 February 2013.
  11. van Lith, Nick (14 February 2013). "Cyprus: 'An Me Thimase' presented". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 28 March 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  12. Roxburgh, Gordon (18 February 2013). "Koza Mostra & Agathonas Iakovidis to represent Greece". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 14 February 2013.
  13. "Cyprus: Spanish version of An me thymasai online". ESCtoday. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  14. Randjelovic, Denis. "Cyprus: Despina releases English version of her song". esctoday.com. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  15. Siim, Jarmo (17 January 2013). "Draw results: Who's in which Semi-Final?". Eurovision.tv.
  16. Siim, Jarmo (28 March 2013). "Eurovision 2013: Semi-Final running order revealed". Eurovision.tv.
  17. Leon, Jakov (7 May 2013). "Despina goes for pure emotion". Eurovision.tv.
  18. "Eurovision Song Contest 2013 Grand Final". Eurovision.tv. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
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