As preparations continue for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in November, Cyprus have become the latest country to confirm their non-participation. More broadcasters are expected to confirm their position on the contest in the coming weeks.
Speaking to Eurovision Fun, Head of Delegation Evi Papamichael confirmed that the Cyprus would not be returning this year. Thankfully, we know the island nation are still pushing ahead for Rotterdam. Indeed, CyBC continue to put emphasis on finding an established artist to bring them success at the main contest in May.
Cyprus initially withdrew from Junior Eurovision following the 2017 contest, without announcing a reason. However, this was possibly linked to their last-place finish in Tbilisi. Last year, the delegation cited “management decision” for their non-participation.
Junior Eurovision 2020 – what we know so far
Junior Eurovision 2020 is to be held on November 29 in the Polish capital of Warsaw. The slogan for the show is ‘Move The World’. Following Viki Gabor’s victory on home soil in 2019, this will mark TVP’s second consecutive time hosting.
Note, unlike previous years, the show is due to be held in a TV studio, rather than an arena. The venue itself is yet to be confirmed, and will either be ATM Studio or Transcolor Studio.
To date, the following countries have confirmed participation in the contest:
Cyprus at the Junior Eurovision
The island nation’s trajectory very much mirrors their performance at the main contest, prior to the last two years. Cyprus debuted at the inaugural contest in 2013 in Copenhagen with Theodora Rafti’s “Mia efhi”, placing 14th. In 2005 they were forced to withdraw due to plagiarism allegations around Rena Kiriakidi’s “Tsirko”.
In May 2007, CyBC hosted the 2008 contest in Limassol, making it the first and only Eurovision-adjectent contest to be hosted in Cyprus to date. The country’s best result is eighth place, which they have achieved twice. First in 2004 with Marios Tofi’s “Oneira” and in 2006 with Louis Panagiotou and Christina Christofi’s “Agoria koritsia”.
In 2017, Nicole Nicolaou performed the song “I Wanna Be A Star” in Tbilisi, placing 16th in a field of 16. The following year, on 11 June 2018, CyBC announced that they would not participate in the contest that year.
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