Sound the alarm: We have some controversy in Greece!
Thanos Petrelis, a popular Greek singer, has told Hello magazine that 2005 Eurovision winner Helena Paparizou shouldn’t attempt to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2014.
“I believe it is wrong of Helena to do this. As she has participated in the contest on account of her homeland, and has managed to win, there is no reason to antagonize us [by competing] for another country, even if it is for the country she comes from.”
Helena was born in Sweden to Greek parents and recently said in an interview that she respects both parts of her identity.
Petrelis also stated that he’d lke to participate in the contest, no matter what place he finishes.
“I would like to go, in order to give a message with Greek lyrics. One time I searched for songs for my new album, and I came across a very nice Greek one, which describes today’s situation in Greece. I thought that this is the song I, sometime, want to sing at the Eurovision Song Contest.”
It seems that not everyone agrees with Helena Paparizou’s decision to participate in the Melodifestivalen 2014! This also comes through in the current betting odds in Sweden, which show Helena as the fourth favourite to win. This is the drawback of her absence from the Swedish music scene. There are many who say that they haven’t heared any of her songs on the radio for a long time.
Billy Xifaras contributed this report from Greece. Follow him on Twitter at @bill_xifaras. You can also keep up-to-date on the latest Eurovision news and liking our Facebook page.
@Zach: Katrina Leskanich was born in Kansas, representing the U.K. with her bandmates the Waves. She and bandmate Vince de la Cruz became the first Americans to win the ESC in 1997.
The minute I saw her name on the Melodiefestivalen roster of competitors, I knew a skirmish would break out. She is not the first, nor will she be the last, to represent a different country. She was actually born in Sweden, yes?
He should be lucky that she decided to compete for Greece on her first 2 occasions and brought them a great placing and a win. She has been saying for a long time that she would love to try to represent Sweden. I mean if the U.S. were able to participate maybe Kalomira or Hannah Mancini would love to represent. But it takes a strong person to love where their roots are and where their lives are.
He’s easy on the eyes, but that attitude has got to go. Technically, if Helena were born and raised in Sweden, wouldn’t she be considered more Swedish than Greek? I mean, racially I’m Japanese/Irish/Scottish, but being American, I consider myself that more than anything else. He’s not mentioning that because no one’s complaining that she brought Greece a victory! Let her embrace both facets of her identity I say!
I’m half Finnish, half Swedish, and I still acknowledge both parts of my background. I wouldn’t expect Helena to just throwaway her homeland, Thanos clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Sure, I personally don’t want Helena to win Melodifestivalen but I think she has every right to compete in it. I actually would’ve expected her to compete for Sweden rather than Greece.
Screw you Petrelis
Algunas personas se toman esc,como una guerra entre paises,para mi es todo lo contrario una union y exaltacion de lo que debe ser una EUROPA unida.Señores es un concurso de canciones nada mas.
Greece and their extremely over-the-top sense of patriotic-self is ridiculously insane … Again trying to make Eurovision a forced stamp for patriotism is something I just can never understand when the essence is or should be music. Judging someone due to his or her nationality in this context is just absurd. I sometimes wonder: are really in the 21st century? Nobody bothers with the ridiculousness in some of the music choices nor the way the contest is used as a platform for the LGBT community … but when it comes to defend patriotic identities everybody seems to be ready to… Read more »
If I was half Greek and half Swede, I would also look for opportunities in Sweden. I mean it’s a better in the Nordics!
Helena is a grown woman and can do whatever she wants. If she feels drawn to both countries then I don’t see anything wrong with competing for both. However, I do see his point that former ESC winners do represent their country. It’s a slippery slope but, I support Helena. All she’s trying to do is build a Swedish career.