In 1988, Cyprus faced disqualification from the Eurovision Song Contest due to premature publishing of their entry before the official deadline. Additionally, in 2001, Cyprus had to take a break from the competition but returned the following year. This hiatus was due to a former Eurovision rule stipulating that if a country failed to reach the Top 10, it would be required to sit out for a year. Fortunately, this regulation has since been abolished, allowing countries to participate in consecutive years regardless of their previous performance.

Cypriot music often exudes warmth and sincerity, reflected in its tendency towards ballads or rhythmic songs, which are frequently showcased in the Eurovision Song Contest. While Cyprus and Greece share some cultural affinities, particularly evident in their music, it’s important to recognize that Cypriot music possesses its own unique style and sonic identity, shaped by the island’s rich history and geographical context.

There have been instances where artists have performed for both Cyprus and Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest, exemplified by figures like Anna Vissi and Elpida. However, this phenomenon is not exclusive to Cyprus and Greece; numerous countries have had singers represent them in multiple editions of the contest, illustrating the diverse and interconnected nature of the Eurovision community.

The phenomenon of neighbouring or culturally similar countries exchanging high points in the Eurovision Song Contest extends beyond Cyprus and Greece. This practice is evident among various regions, such as the Balkans and Scandinavia, where countries often show favouritism towards their neighbours or those with shared cultural ties.

As for Cyprus, the country has embraced the freedom to choose its language in recent years. However, experimentation, such as Evridiki’s attempt to sing in French with “Comme ci comme ça” in Helsinki 2007, didn’t always lead to qualification for the Grand Final.

Since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004, Cyprus has consistently navigated through the qualification process each year. Out of 31 appearances in the Grand Final, Cyprus has achieved a Top 10 placement ten times, indicating a success rate of approximately 25% in securing a spot among the top performers.

The biggest success for Cyprus came in 2018 with “Fuego” by Eleni Foureira, marking their best result in the contest to date – second place”! With their entry, Cyprus received a remarkable 436 points, garnering the maximum 12 points from both the televoters and the juries of Israel, Greece, and Spain. This outstanding achievement underscored Cyprus’s growing prominence and impact in the Eurovision Song Contest.

In the recent edition held in Liverpool, Australian citizen Andrew Lambrou represented Cyprus with the song “Break A Broken Heart” and successfully made it to the Grand Final, finishing in 12th place.