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. 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.

Background

Prior to the 2013 Contest, Cyprus had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest twenty-nine times since its first entry in 1981. 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. 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.

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.
On 1 February 2013, CyBC announced that Despina Olympiou was internally selected to represent Cyprus. 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.

Preparation

Olympiou travelled to Greece on 18 February 2013 to promote her entry during the Greek national final. Spanish and English acoustic versions of the song were released to promote the entry prior to the contest.

At Eurovision

Cyprus was allocated to compete in the first semi-final on 14 May for a place in the final on 18 May. In the first semifinal, the producers of the show decided that Cyprus would perform 14th, following Ireland and preceding Belgium. The Cypriot performance featured Olympiou alone on stage, wearing a black silk dress with tulle elements.
Cyprus failed to qualify from the first semi-final of the competition, placing 15th and scoring 11 points.

Points awarded to Cyprus

Points awarded by Cyprus

Semi-final 1

Points awarded in first semi-final:
12 points
10 points
8 points
7 points
6 points
5 points
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 point

Final

Points awarded in the final:
12 points
10 points
8 points
7 points
6 points
5 points
4 points
3 points
2 points
1 point