For some time now the rumour mill has suggested that Greece will go internal for Eurovision 2016. Mounting evidence suggests the theory is true.

For starters, the Greek singer Mariza Rizou recently revealed that ERT asked her to participate in Eurovision 2016, but she declined the offer.

“I was asked to do so this year,” she said. “I seriously discussed the matter with several people in ERT, because they have really good intentions and they want to change the whole style for the better, but I finally decided that I don’t feel like going to Eurovision right now.”

Among other things, Mariza is known for her 2013 album “Sweet Morning,” which helped define her jazz-pop sound.

Her quote suggests that ERT is keen to get back to the top of ESC, and lends credence to reports that it has already approached a variety of artists — from lesser-known upstarts to well-established stars.

Their names remain shrouded in secrecy. Eurovisionary reports that ERT is in contact with “a young male artist who is an actor, singer and songwriter” who released his first album this year. He has reportedly submitted songs to ERT already.

It’s no surprise that fans in Greece — the birthplace of democracy — are peeved about the apparent internal selection. Yet many are holding out hope that a national final featuring unknown participants could still take place.

Little is clear and the rumour mill will only keep churning. But one thing we can be sure of: an official announcement is unlikely to come until late in January 2016.

So, what do you think? Should ERT go internal or opt for a National Final? Who could that mysterious man be? Let us know below…

Keep up with the latest Greece Eurovision news

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Ilias
Ilias
8 years ago

Mariza Rizou is great idea but not with a song like the song that you posted but with a song like this i mposa nava tou isaia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHqF3EE5fKk or like this mia alli eftihia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML75wp0rOgM

JJA
JJA
8 years ago

@ct greece — if what you say is true, then ERT is being stupid.

You cannot change Europe or Eurovision by coming dead last. If SYRIZA honestly thinks this way, they are just wasting money. Better to withdraw.

ct greece
ct greece
8 years ago

In fact it was as recently as in 2009 that Syriza used to organise anti-Eurovision parties on the night of the final. They were calling them “Eurovisioff”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5qDSeQ-fUo

ct greece
ct greece
8 years ago

Everything is political to them, especially Eurovision which is such a huge platform. As for caring about the contest may I remind you that not so long ago most of them hated Eurovision with passion? Including the current ERT president who made his career in Communist party festivals. You couldn’t find a more hostile crowd than them.

Remember, in their minds these people want to change Europe…

Ern
Ern
8 years ago

@ct greece — You may be correct, but I find it difficult to believe that SYRIZA will treat the 2016 Eurovision representative the same way as they would a museum director (which is a political appointment). If they do, then they are outright stupid, and they clearly don’t care about Eurovision. All they care about is promoting an artist within Greece (maybe because the owner/manager is a friend of the government). Of course, this will backfire, because the Greek people won’t rally behind the artist. I honestly believe that ERT is being sincere, and they want to try something different… Read more »

Deemos
Deemos
8 years ago

I ve done a research.The only actor that had released a cd this year is Manos Psistakis. http://www.studio52.gr/info_gr.asp?infoID=000019d7 His voice is way too average.

ct greece
ct greece
8 years ago

@ ern I wouldn’t mind “artistic” if it meant something truly cool and cutting-edge like Estonia, Latvia or Belgium did this year. But I don’t think we will see anything like that. It seems what they’re looking for is young unknowns that fill all the leftist-hipster boxes without any actual talent. Providing a complete unknown who does nu-jazz like Marina Rizou with an internal selection would be a scandal. And yet they were thinking of doing just that. Mind you, they’re doing the exact same thing all over the place. There is not one museum or theatre director that they… Read more »

Ern
Ern
8 years ago

What on earth are they thinking over at ERT? A song like this cannot do well at Eurovision. It is too artistic.

I think ct greece is correct. The SYRIZA government wants to present a certain image for the country, and it is searching for these types of artists.

Azaad
Azaad
8 years ago

Given the economy not having a national final is the most responsible thing to do

Nikos
Nikos
8 years ago

This could go so many ways. I think we need to select someone from the diaspora with fluent English OR select a song in Greek for a change. Lately the contest has been very unkind to bad pronunciation and Maria Elena last year was no exception sadly. And it seems fans like having some non-English songs in the mix.

ct greece
ct greece
8 years ago

I’ve never heard of her before, but judging from this bit of news it seems to me that the new government wants someone who has Syriza* written all over them: Someone that ticks all the boxes of artsy and alternative. I wouldn’t mind a left-field choice from Greece this year, but the names we’ve been hearing about seem quite disapponting. Boring, pretentious and seriously lacking in experience.

* Syriza= the left-wing governing party of Greece.

Ariana
Ariana
8 years ago

If it’s true that ERT has decided to send something “alternative”, then I won’t care about our entry this year!!!

ArisObrien
ArisObrien
8 years ago

I think that man is Giannis Hachigeorgioy (??????? ?????????????). He is playing in a famous greek TV series (Tamam) and he is a musician.

dimitrisesc
dimitrisesc
8 years ago

The only actor and songwriter i know who released his first album this year is Panos Vlahos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZOlvRKNN9E

Zac
Zac
8 years ago

Eleni Foureira or Demy are the way to go – Tamta has already indicated she’d do a NF

Panos
Panos
8 years ago

Not only OLD news but no one knows and reads that 2016 Greek entrants are a band from Thessaloniki. Christie don’t just make news to get visits

Hippo
Hippo
8 years ago

I’m not impressed by these rumours at all. In my view an internal selection is only useful to get a huge act in who might consider a national final beneath them and to allow full focus on eurovision itself – no one wants to be embarrassed, looking at you Martakis. Ert need to pull a big name out the bag to justify internal which looks increasingly unlikely. If I was Ert at this point I’d look to those who’ve shown an interest before such as Melisses, Eleni Foureira or Tamta who are the right mix of status and plausibility. Anyone… Read more »

esc1234
esc1234
8 years ago

There is no point to do a national final if you cant do it well. I dont know who this man is but i hope that they will not send some alternative s*it that wont go through the final. Tamta and eleni foureira are waiting…