The Orthodox Church of Cyprus is calling for the Government to make CyBC withdraw “El Diablo” as its Eurovision 2021 entry.
The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus has called for the Cypriot entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 to be withdrawn. The church said in a statement that:
“essentially praises the fatalistic submission of humans to the devil’s authority”
They added that the song is making a mockery of Cyprus’ moral foundations by advocating for:
“our surrender to the devil and promoting his worship”
The church said that it had received a deluge of reactions from thousands of church goers about the song, saying:
“From whatever angle you choose to look it and whichever explanations are given about the lyrics of the song, they don’t send the most ideal messages which must be sent from a semi-occupied homeland that struggles for freedom and to prevent its complete subjugation,”
CyBC has defended the selection of “El Diablo” as the nations entry for Eurovision 2021, with the Chairman stating that the broadcaster should have done a better job of explaining the message of the song.
A man was arrested over the weekend for threatening CyBC staff and property in relation to protests against the song. A group called “Cypriot Christians” also started a petition to have “El Diablo” withdrawn and has inundated the Cypriot broadcaster with telephone complaints. With some callers even threatening to burn down the Cypriot broadcasters building.
Who is Elena Tsagrinou?
Elena Tsagrinou was born in Athens in 1994. Throughout the years, she has performed on the biggest music shows in Greece and Cyprus at a considerable number of concerts. She has collaborated with many other famous Greek artists such as Konstantinos Argyros and MELISSES.
Elena Tsagrinou was the very first act that was not planned to participate at the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest being confirmed, on November 25.
Image Source: Dimitris Skoulos | Source: The Guardian
Cyprus debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981. Their best result was in 2018, with Eleni Foureira and performance of the song “Fuego” won second place with 436 points. Before then, their best results in the contest came in the form of three fifth place finishes. In 2004, Lisa Andreas performed “Stronger Every Minute” in Istanbul, Turkey. She finished 5th in the final scoring 170 points, which included 12 points from Greece. They also placed fifth in 1997 with Hara & Andreas Constantinou and their song “Mana mou”, and in 1982 with Anna Vissi’s “Mono i agapi.” Cyprus withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 due to financial difficulties but returned again in 2015.
