Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005

{{Main|Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Prior to the 2005 contest, the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Cyprus 22 times since its debut in the {{escyr|1981||1981 contest}}.{{Cite web |title=Cyprus Country Profile: Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/country/cyprus |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906014453/https://eurovision.tv/country/cyprus |archive-date=6 September 2018 |access-date=22 October 2018 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)|website=eurovision.tv}}{{Cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Robyn |date=3 August 2017 |title=Cyprus: Broadcaster reportedly will internally select songwriter for 2018 |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/08/03/cyprus-songwriter-internal-selection/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024120014/https://wiwibloggs.com/2017/08/03/cyprus-songwriter-internal-selection/ |archive-date=24 October 2018 |access-date=22 October 2018 |website=Wiwibloggs |df=dmy-all}} Its best placing was fifth, which it achieved three times: {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=1982|t=in 1982}} with the song "{{lang|el-latn|Mono i agapi|i=no}}" performed by Anna Vissi and {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=1997|t=in 1997}} with "{{lang|el-latn|Mana mou|i=no}}" performed by Hara and Andreas Constantinou, and {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=2004|t=in 2004}} with "Stronger Every Minute" performed by Lisa Andreas. Its least successful result was {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=1986|t=in 1986}} when it placed last with the song "{{lang|el-latn|Tora zo|i=no}}" by Elpida, receiving four points in total; its worst finish in terms of points received was when it placed second to last {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=1999|t=in 1999}} with "{{lang|el-latn|Tha'nai erotas|i=no}}" by Marlain Angelidou, receiving only two points.

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, CyBC organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. CyBC's intention to participate in the 2005 contest was revealed on 9 September 2004. The broadcaster had used internal selections and televised national finals to select its entry in the past. In 2003, CyBC selected the entrant internally, while in 2004, it organised a national final to select the entry. In 2004, CyBC opted to internally select the artist and organise a national final to select the song.Citations regarding the history of the selection process:

• 2003: {{Cite web|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|date=8 January 2003|title=Cyprus: Open competition, internal selection|url=https://esctoday.com/1107/cyprus_open_competition_internal_selection/|access-date=20 June 2022|work=ESCToday}}
• 2004: {{Cite web|last=Christodoulides|first=Louis|date=26 January 2004|title=Cyprus announces national final candidates|url=http://esctoday.com/2132/cyprus_announces_national_final_candidates/|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=9 December 2023}}{{cite web|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|date=23 November 2004|title=Constantinos Christoforou for Cyprus|url=https://esctoday.com/3382/constantinos_christoforou_for_cyprus/|publisher=ESCToday|access-date=20 June 2022}}

In early September 2004, members of the group Hi-5 revealed on the Sigma TV show Alive that CyBC had approached them to represent Cyprus in Kyiv.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Roel |date=9 September 2004 |title=CyBC asked Hi-5 to represent Cyprus |url=https://esctoday.com/3123/cybc_asked_hi-5_to_represent_cyprus/ |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=ESCToday}} The next month, CyBC stated that they had terminated negotiations with the group and announced they were instead reviewing a proposal by EMI Greece to send Constantinos Christoforou to the contest;{{Cite web |last=Bakker |first=Sietse |date=15 October 2004 |title='Constantinos Christoforou to Kiev' |url=https://esctoday.com/3229/constantinos_christoforou_to_kiev/ |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=ESCToday}} confirmation of his selection came on 24 November 2004. Christoforou had previously represented {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=1996|t=Cyprus in 1996}} as a solo act and {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=2002|t=in 2002}} as part of the group One, where he placed ninth and sixth with the songs "{{lang|el-latn|Mono gia mas|i=no}}" and "Gimme", respectively. Alongside word of Christoforou's selection by CyBC, details of the song selection process were also announced, with the song to be selected through a national final.

Four songs, two written by Christoforou himself and two written by Mike Connaris (who composed the Cypriot Eurovision entry in 2004) were selected for the national final and were announced on 28 January 2005. The national final took place on 1 February 2005 at the Monte Caputo Nightclub in Limassol, was hosted by Tasos Tryfonos and Eleni Manousaki, and was broadcast on RIK 1 and RIK Sat, as well as online via cybc.cy.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Roel |date=28 January 2005 |title=Four songs for Constantinos Christoforou |url=https://esctoday.com/3699/four_songs_for_constantinos_christoforou/ |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=ESCToday}}{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/3718|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050313231516/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/3718|title=Cyprus selects a song tonight|date=1 February 2005|access-date=23 December 2023|archive-date=13 March 2005|first=Roel|last=Philips|website=ESCToday}} The satellite broadcast contained an English translation of the show and the event was also live streamed to the UK on London Greek Radio.

All four competing songs were performed by Christoforou and the winning song, "Ela Ela (Come Baby)", was selected by a combination of votes from a public televote (60%) and a seven-member jury panel (40%).{{cite web|url=https://esctoday.com/3721/cyprus_chooses_ela_ela/|title=Cyprus chooses 'Ela ela'|date=1 February 2005|access-date=29 December 2023|website=ESCToday|first=Roel|last=Philips}} "Ela Ela (Come Baby)" received 68% of the public televote.{{Cite web |date=2019-01-08 |title=Κύπρος 2005: Οι Hi-5 έγιναν... Χριστοφόρου και η Πατρόκλου... Κωνσταντοπούλου |trans-title=Cyprus 2005: Hi-5 became... Christoforou and Patroklou... Konstantopoulou|url=https://infegreece.com/cyprus-2005-hi5-constantinos-christoforou/ |access-date=2023-09-12 |first=Dimitrios|last=Mantzilas |website=INFE Greece|language=el}}{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/specials/read/4229|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061121093617/http://www.esctoday.com/specials/read/4229|title=Constantinos: third time at Eurovision Song Contest|first=Roel|last=Philips|date=17 April 2005|access-date=29 December 2023|archive-date=21 November 2006|website=ESCToday}} Backing vocals for "Ela Ela (Come Baby)" were provided by Elena Patroklou, who represented {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=1991|t=Cyprus in 1991}}.{{cite web |last1=Philips |first1=Roel |date=22 February 2005 |title=Kiev 2005: Constantinos feat. Elena Patroklou |url=http://esctoday.com/3871/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420151515/http://esctoday.com/3871/ |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=20 April 2021 |website=ESCToday}} The members of the jury were Ruslana (who won Eurovision for {{esccnty|Ukraine|y=2004|t=Ukraine in 2004}}), Evridiki (who represented {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=1992|t=Cyprus in 1992}} and {{esccnty|Cyprus|y=1994|t=in 1994}}), Dimitris Korgialas (singer and composer), Dafni Bokota (singer and television presenter), Evi Papamichail (Head of Delegation for Cyprus at Eurovision), Sokratis Soumelas (representing EMI Greece) and Nikos Nikolaou (actor). In addition to the performances of the competing songs, the show featured guest performances by Korgialas, Evridiki, and Ruslana.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/3581|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050313231546/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/3581|website=ESCToday|first=Roel|last=Philips|access-date=23 December 2023|date=10 January 2005|archive-date=13 March 2005|title=Evridiki and Ruslana guest stars in Cypriot final}} Christoforou also performed songs from his studio album Idiotiki parastasi.

Following the song's selection, Christoforou's prior studio album Idiotiki parastasi, which had been certified gold, was re-released in February 2005 to include "Ela Ela (Come Baby)" as well as three additional bonus tracks; the other national final songs were not included.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/3868|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125151903/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/3868|title=Constantinos re-releases album|date=23 February 2005|access-date=29 December 2023|archive-date=25 November 2006|website=ESCToday|first=Roel|last=Philips}} A music video for "Ela Ela (Come Baby)" was then released on 19 March during the CyBC show Efharisto Savvatovrado to further promote for the entry.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4075|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125151420/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4075|date=19 March 2005|archive-date=25 November 2006|access-date=29 December 2023|first=Roel|last=Philips|website=ESCToday|title=Ela ela video in premiere tonight}}

Christoforou also visited and performed in 15 countries that were taking part in the 2005 contest as part of a promotional tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.cybc.com.cy/cybc_eurovision/news_14.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203192922/http://www.cybc.com.cy/cybc_eurovision/news_14.html|access-date=29 December 2023|language=el|archive-date=3 February 2007|publisher=Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC)|website=cybc.com.cy|trans-title=Interview with Constantinos|title=

Συνέντευξη με τον Κωνσταντίνο|date=2005}} This included performing at {{esccnty|Malta|y=2005|t=Malta's selection event}} on 21 February 2005,{{Cite web|date=21 February 2005|title=Chiara Wins Song for Europe Festival|url=https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2005-02-21/news/chiara-wins-song-for-europe-festival-72330/|access-date=1 November 2021|newspaper=Malta Independent}} followed by {{esccnty|Greece|y=2005}}'s on 2 March and {{esccnty|Serbia and Montenegro|y=2005}}'s on 4 March.{{cite web|url=http://www.cybc.com.cy/cybc_eurovision/news_8.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207064017/http://www.cybc.com.cy/cybc_eurovision/news_8.html|date=2005|title=Η περιοδεία του Κωνσταντίνου συνεχίζεται|publisher=Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC)|website=cybc.com.cy|trans-title=Constantinos's Tour Continues|access-date=29 December 2023|language=el|archive-date=7 February 2007}}{{Cite web|last=Philips|first=Roel|date=5 March 2005|title=Serbia & Montenegro choose No Name|url=http://esctoday.com/3958/serbia__montenegro_choose_no_name/|access-date=29 December 2023|website=ESCToday}} By late March, Christoforou had also visited Switzerland to record television appearances.{{cite web|url=http://www.cybc.com.cy/cybc_eurovision/news_9.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207064156/http://www.cybc.com.cy/cybc_eurovision/news_9.html|publisher=Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC)|website=cybc.com.cy|trans-title=Visits to Cyprus|title=Επισκέψεις στην Κύπρο|access-date=29 December 2023|language=el|archive-date=7 February 2007|date=2005}} Christoforou returned to Malta on 12 April for two days of additional interviews with media, including the exclusive premiere of the club mix of "Ela Ela (Come Baby)" on the Eurovision Radio segment of Maltese station Super One Radio.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4222|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116064539/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4222|title=Constantinos reveals Eurovision plans|date=13 April 2005|access-date=30 December 2023|archive-date=16 November 2006|website=ESCToday|first=Deo|last=Grech}} Other promotional activities included Christoforou performing at club Eros in London on 2 May alongside previous year's Cypriot entrant Lisa Andreas and the {{esccnty|United Kingdom|y=2005}}'s 2005 entrant Javine.{{cite web|url=http://esctoday.com/news/read/4299|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060515045213/http://esctoday.com/news/read/4299|title=Three Eurovision acts in London|first=Barry|last=Viniker|date=26 April 2005|access-date=30 December 2023|archive-date=15 May 2006|website=ESCToday}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cybc.com.cy/cybc_eurovision/news_16.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070207064918/http://www.cybc.com.cy/cybc_eurovision/news_16.html|trans-title=Great success in London|title=

Μεγάλη επιτυχία στο Λονδίνο|access-date=29 December 2023|language=el|archive-date=7 February 2007|publisher=Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC)|website=cybc.com.cy|date=2005}} While in London, he also appeared on the ITV News show Live with Angela Rippon alongside entrants from Lithuania and Malta, and was interviewed by London Greek Radio and London Hellenic TV.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4336|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116065047/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4336|first=Barry|last=Viniker|date=30 April 2005|access-date=30 December 2023|archive-date=16 November 2006|website=ESCToday|title=Angela Rippon show hosts Constantinos, Laura and Chiara}} A visit to Portugal followed the UK, before Christoforou returned to Greece on 10 May. He also visited Belarus, Russia, Romania, Andorra, Spain, Croatia, and Slovenia.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2005 took place at the Palace of Sports in Kyiv, Ukraine, and consisted of the semi-final on 19 May and the final on 21 May 2005.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |website=eurovision.tv|title=Eurovision Song Contest–Kyiv 2005 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2005 |access-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501145620/https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2005 |archive-date=1 May 2020}} All participating nations, with the exceptions of the host country, the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom), and the nine highest placed finishers in the {{escyr|2004||2004 contest}}, were required to qualify from the semi-final on 19 May 2005 in order to compete for the final on 21 May 2005; the top ten countries from the semi-final then progressed to the final.{{cite web |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |website=eurovision.tv|title=Rules of the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/searchfiles_english/574.htm |access-date=30 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210010517/http://www.eurovision.tv/searchfiles_english/574.htm |archive-date=10 February 2006}} As Cyprus finished fifth in the 2004 contest, the nation automatically qualified to compete in the final. Both the semi-final and the final were broadcast in Cyprus on RIK 1 and RIK SAT with commentary by Evi Papamichail.{{cite web|url=https://escinsight.com/2016/03/13/hod-spotlight-conversation-cyprus-evi-papamichael/|date=3 March 2016|work=ESC Insight|title=The HoD Spotlight: In Conversation With Cyprus' Evi Papamichael|access-date=29 December 2023}}

On 22 March 2005, an allocation draw was held which determined the running order for the semi-final and final, and Cyprus was set to perform in position 9 in the final, following the entry from {{esccnty|Albania|y=2005}} and before the entry from {{esccnty|Spain|y=2005}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4099|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050518025042/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4099|date=22 March 2005|access-date=30 December 2023|website=ESCToday|last=Bakker|first=Sietse|archive-date=18 May 2005|title=Running Order of the Final}} Christoforou and his team took part in rehearsals on 16 and 17 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 20 and 21 May.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurovision.tv/english/1253.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050519005638/http://www.eurovision.tv/english/1253.htm|title=Calendar - Time schedule|date=2005|archive-date=19 May 2005|access-date=30 December 2023|website=eurovision.tv|publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}} The Cypriot stage performance was choreographed by Fotis Nikolaou,{{cite web|url=https://esctoday.com/4369/constantinos_featuring_elina_konstantopoulou/|title=Constantinos featuring Elina Konstantopoulou!|date=4 May 2005|access-date=29 December 2023|first=Roel|last=Philips|website=ESCToday}} who was part of the artistic team for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Christoforou was joined on stage by four dancers, as well as by backing vocalist Elina Konstantopoulou, who represented {{esccnty|Greece|y=1995|t=Greece in 1995}}; she replaced Patroklou, who decided not to perform at the contest for personal reasons.{{cite web|url=http://www.cybc.com.cy/cybc_eurovision/news_15.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203235320/http://www.cybc.com.cy/cybc_eurovision/news_15.html|publisher=Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC)|website=cybc.com.cy|trans-title=The return of Elina|title=Η επιστροφή της Ελίνας|access-date=29 December 2023|language=el|archive-date=3 February 2007|date=2005}} The performance was opened by Konstantopoulou singing before Christoforou took over for the main part of the song; the stage presence utilized divider mirrors as well as large drums.{{cite web|url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4559|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125151832/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4559|title=Cyprus ready to win|date=17 May 2005|website=ESCToday|access-date=30 December 2023|first=Barry|last=Viniker|archive-date=25 November 2006}} At the end of the final, Cyprus placed 18th, scoring 46 points.{{Cite web |title=Cyprus |url=https://sixonstage.com/country/cyprus |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=Six on Stage}}{{cite web |title=Grand Final of Kyiv 2005 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2005/grand-final |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420054251/https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2005/grand-final |archive-date=20 April 2021 |access-date=20 April 2021 |website=eurovision.tv|publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}}

{{see also|Voting in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

Voting during the three shows involved each country awarding 1–8, 10 and 12 points to the other competing countries; countries were not allowed to register votes for themselves. All countries participating in the contest were required to use televoting and/or SMS voting during both rounds of the contest. At the end of the event, Cyprus received the top 12 points from Greece and Malta, garnering 46 points overall and placing 18th in the field of 24 finalists.{{cite web |title=Results of the Grand Final of Kyiv 2005 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2005/grand-final/results/cyprus|publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)|website=eurovision.tv |access-date=7 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420175740/https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2005/grand-final/results/cyprus|archive-date=20 April 2021 |url-status=live}} The nation awarded its top 12 points from televoting to {{esccnty|Romania|y=1995}} in the semi-final and to Greece in the final.{{cite web |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2005/semi-final/results/cyprus|title=Results of the Semi-Final of Kyiv 2005 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |website=eurovision.tv|access-date=24 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420175758/https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2005/semi-final/results/cyprus|archive-date=20 April 2021 |url-status=live}} CyBC appointed Melani Steliou as its spokesperson to announce the Cypriot votes during the final.{{cite web |last=Philips |first=Roel |date=2005-05-17 |title=The 39 spokespersons! |url=http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4409 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219170216/http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/4409 |archive-date=2005-12-19 |access-date=2009-04-27 |website=ESCToday}}

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{{Reflist}}

{{Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest}}

{{Eurovision Song Contest 2005}}

2005

Category:Countries in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005

Eurovision