The Director General of CyBC, Tahanasis Tsokos, has appeared on CyBC defending the broadcaster’s choice of “Jalla” as its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2026.
Following criticism of “Jalla” as the Cypriot entry for Eurovision 2026, the Director General of CyBC appeared on the broadcaster explaining how the song was selected, its approach to Eurovision and thoughts on the matter.
Responding to an open letter from public figures calling for “Jalla” to be withdrawn, he explained that the entry was chosen from submissions from record companies to the broadcaster, with 15 artists among the final selection. A panel formed of four music industry professionals and one representative on CyBC selected Antigoni and “Jalla” as their entry for Vienna.
Mr. Tsokos explained that he is fully supportive of the entry, which has received a strong positive reaction online. Regarding the cost of participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, the Director General explained that “€50,000 goes towards participation in Eurovision and the €120,000 concerns production,”. An equivalent amount is also contributed by the record company of the participating act.
Cyprus was the first country to announce their representative for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. This has continued a trend of the island nation of being one of the first countries to reveal their singers since 2023.
ANTIGONI, Antigoni Buxton, is a British Greek-Cypriot singer, born and raised in North London. She has made several TV appearances, including most famously her debut on UK Love Island Season 8 in 2022. She has since released many hit singles, including “You Can Have Him”. Her most recent singles include “Sleeping Alone” and “Habibi”. Antigoni quite oftenly embraces her Cypriot heritage by incorporating traditional Cypriot instrumentation through her music, mixing it with more contemporary genres.
Antigoni will perform “JALLA” in the second half of the second semi-final on May 14.
Source: Cyprus Mail
Cyprus debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981. Their best result was in 2018, when Eleni Foureira and the song “Fuego” finished second with 436 points. Before then, their best results in the contest came in the form of three fifth-place finishes. These fifth-place finishes were Anna Vissi with “Mono i agapi” in 1982, Hara & Andreas Constantinou with “Mana mou” in 1997 and Lisa Andreas with “Stronger Every Minute” in 2004. Cyprus currently holds the record for the most participations in Eurovision without a win.