“I like it this big.”

CyBC, Cyprus’ state broadcaster, has announced that the country will not participate at Eurovision 2014. The Mediterranean nation is know to la la love Eurovision, but there simply isn’t enough money in the pot to make competing a reality.

In a statement issued on Thursday the broadcaster said that its decision reflects public sentiment. It added that its board of directors “took into account the additional reduction of the CyBC budget for 2014 and the need for drastic cuts in programming expenditure.”

Cyprus continues to experience higher-than-expected economic contraction, and ratings agency Moody’s recently said the country’s banks need an additional 1.5 billion euros to stay afloat. The country has had a negative rating with Moody’s since May 2009.

Y’all have seen Cyprus’ economic contraction reflected in its Eurovision acts for at least two years. In 2012 Ivi Adamou had to withdraw from Eurovision in Concert just two weeks ahead of the concert because of financial difficulties at CyBC.The Cyprus Mail reported that employees of the broadcaster had not received their salaries in the month of March because parliament had not yet approved their state budget. That led to a four-hour blackout and to proposed strikes by staff members. Funding Ivi’s Eurovision campaign seemed a little insensitive.

Earlier this year in Malmö Cyprus’ Despina Olympiou staged a very low-key performance. It was lovely, but seemed to suggest the broadcaster didn’t have the funds for something more elaborate.

We’re sad to see Cyprus go, so will mourn their loss by paying tribute to Ivi.

You can keep up-to-date on the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.

Photo: Eurovision.tv (EBU)

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Davinia Gibbs
Davinia Gibbs
9 years ago

No wonder Greece did poorly! They rely on the 12 points Cyprus ALWAYS gives them!! (and vice versa naturally). I am also glad Turkey were not there too…. they have so many of their own people living in other countries, they could all vote for them as they so often do too! We had a better Contest for it, if only Russian-loving countries and the Scandinavians follow suite and vote fairly, it will become about the music again, and not politics or cheating.

Emily
Emily
10 years ago

What a shame… Please come back soon, Cyprus. *

Zach
Zach
10 years ago

I loved An me thymasai it was beautiful and should have gone to the final. I felt it was simple yet elegant.

Ron
Ron
10 years ago

@Charles – what backstage drama with SVT?

Bronson
Bronson
10 years ago

Such a disappointment. I’ve always loved Cyprus’ entries, unfortunately we won’t see them this year.

On the bright side it’s one less country Valentina Monetta has to face to get to the finals! 🙂

Marion
Marion
10 years ago

:'(

takecare
takecare
10 years ago

i dont get why these public televisions dont let a private one take care of esc

D
D
10 years ago

At least Greece doesn’t have a guaranteed 12 points…let’s look on the bright side.

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

Not a surprise, and the right move financially for the broadcaster. Hopefully someday they’ll be back, but I doubt we’ll see them again within the next 5 years.

Charles
Charles
10 years ago

From a finantial point of view for me it’s more than understandable and, if I may say, very predictable considering the strong lack of promo-support from the cypriot tv station to Despina already affected by lack of money – the songwriters and producers of the song were not even allowed to go to Malmö as CyBC could not afford to pay their flights and stay during the rehearsals weeks (besides all the backstage drama with SVT). Therefore it’s not a surprising decision. Taking in consideration the way the current crisis is affecting severly so many southern european countries, this is… Read more »

Leon
Leon
10 years ago

Who represented Cyprus in 2013 again? Yea, no biggie. As long as Greece joins (either way they’re like the same country).

Stephen Colville
Stephen Colville
10 years ago

Christos Mylordos was the only Cypriot entry I’ve ever liked.

Alex
Alex
10 years ago

Too bad..too bad..

David Thielen
10 years ago

I have an idea. Azerbaijan is buying votes anyways. How about a deal where if Azerbaijan pays for a country to participate, that country then gives Azerbaijan 12 votes?

Kalomira-greece
Kalomira-greece
10 years ago

Ohh nooo!! Why????I am so disappointed about that! I hope greece will join Denmark next year!

Diane
Diane
10 years ago

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

paco
10 years ago

Que pena.pienso que la organizacion del festival deve adaptarse a los tiempos de crisis por la que pasan,los paises mas deviles para que esto no.Que lastima

hetalialover
hetalialover
10 years ago

it will never be the same

Luke Borg
Luke Borg
10 years ago

No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Nooooooooooo

Tiggeh
Tiggeh
10 years ago

Poor Cyprus. They are normally a joy at Eurovision. So many losses already for 2014…makes you wonder if having 2 semi finals is justified.