Over the past few months rumours have swirled that Greece’s ERT wants to choose its Eurovision 2016 act internally. And now even more evidence is mounting to suggest the theory is true.
ERT, the Greek public broadcaster, began its search for the Eurovision 2016 artist shortly after confirming participation. Many artists have been asked to sing for Greece — and many of them have said no. Among the new names that have emerged is Eleonora Zouganeli, a famous Greek diva with a beautiful voice. ERT seems to have contacted her two times, but unfortunately, she declined. Speaking to wiwibloggs, Eleonora’s manager had this to say:
Thanks for your interest, but Eleonora Zouganeli will not be participating in Eurovision this year.
Eleni Foureira for Eurovision?
There are other artists who are dying to get the Eurovision ticket. One of them is Eleni Foureira, Greece’s “Golden Girl”. Eleni was recently invited on a TV show, where she said that she would be more than happy to represent the country in Stockholm. Unfortunately, she added that ERT is looking for something way different than her in terms of genre and style. Sadly her fans will have to wait for at least another year for their chance to see Eleni at ESC…
ERT is clearly struggling to make a match. Eurovisionary reports that a decision will be taken in the coming days, as Mr Tsaknis, the president of ERT, will reportedly attend a meeting where all the options will be discussed and a decision made. So, as ever, we’re just going to have to wait.
What do you think? Should Eleonora have said yes? Should Eleni have been asked? Let us know below…
Damn, Eleonora would bring a fresh air to ESC. She’s talented and her songs are so beautiful (in Greek).
Eleni Foureira is a pop singer, reminds me of Rita Ora and Rihanna.
She’s a great performer, but maybe ERT wants something different.
In general, well done to them for asking a big artist like Eleonora (when will BBC?), but I think they should hurry up
@CookyMonzta They won’t change anything, even if they see negative reactions from fans… I don’t think that the people in ERT really care about Eurovision, they will just use it to promote some particular singers…
@Ariana: Your English is very good. 🙂
What would it take to twist ERT into sending something more innovative? And could they change their minds (like Germany recently did) before the deadline, if they saw and heard what other countries were sending, and they suspect that their initial entry won’t measure up to that standard?
This is the year we actually have to send something modern… Unfortunately it is understood by everyone that ERT wants something “alternative” to represent us. That means we can’t send someone like Demy, Tamta or even Eleni Foureira ( I don’t like her voice, but she would be better than everything that ERT is planning ) . We are completely hopeless this year… We won’t manage to qualify for the first time!
Sorry for my bad English…
I have a lot to say about this greek mess but im gonna say only this: Its awfull in 2016,because there is a left goverment to search for “alternative” music. Eurovision is about a good song, not representing the stupid politics os tsipras. Eleni foureira is a great choice but unfortunately she is not gonna represent greece because she is too pop…. And i actually i have a really bad feeling about our participation this year. We are one of the few countries always present on the final but now that people who REALLY KNOW EUROVISION have left ert, these… Read more »
Is Foureira aware of the fact that she has to sing as well? Yeah I mean actually, to sing with her own voice. Like, LIVE stuff, you know?
Well, everybody deserves a chance. Maybe she should try in at least 60 years when she will be able enough to pull an-old-lady-from-Russia-2012 performance. Srsly, she is comletely talentless.
oh my god please not foureira… I have said it again she is awful. some of her songs are catchy etc but they are all trash. Also she isn’t the best singer tbh. please not her
I’d like to see Tamta, Demy, Melisses, and Myronas Stratis. I’ve always wanted to see us send someone like Nikos Vertis or of course Hatzigiannis, but they’d never do it. (@Hippo, please not Katerina Kampaneli, Akis deserved to be in the final more than her, she was annoying.)
I am a bit happy Zouganeli is not our act. I am not a fan (except for I Epimoni Sou which is amazing). I hope Foureira gets it next year or soon because she is great and would stand out in the recent sea of ballads.
I lik egolden girl
@Fotis: thx for the link about the most INACCURATE site in the world of Eurovision
HEY! Where’s Demy? If she gets into this, Ira would have no choice but to remix her song.
http://oikotimes.com/2016/01/26/greece-2016-ert-to-announce-soon-its-internal-decision/
seriously this is the most INACCURATE news post about Greece guys
Zouganeli would have been good. There’s been a lot of cheap pop so far so she’d have stood out and I’m sure the juries would have lapped it up. I like Eleni Foureira but from a tactical view I really don’t think she’d stand out enough and the juries would hate it. My personal choice would be Areti Kosmidou or Katerina Kampaneli singing a song by Stavento ( without Stavento rapping). He’s wrote some great stuff that would really stand out at Eurovision with a good vocalist and could get a decent placing. It’s plausible too (he wouldn’t be risking… Read more »
Homegurrl Eleonora should give it a try and ERT souldn’t try to find an act that could support a song like “I epimoni sou” by Eleonora because I have the feeling that that’s what ERT wants…
If they want to stick with the “Entexno”-theme of this years song they should ask Malu Kyriakopoulou. She has a strong voice and is a young, new artist that might be “hungry” for some competition 😛
Eleni Foureira would also be a blast!
Time is ticking…
@my 2 cents – Oikotimes makes up fake articles. Don’t trust them.
I’d love to see Eleni Foureira in Eurovision, she’d probably be one of my dream Greek artists. And maybe if the broadcaster absolutely can’t find anyone for this year they might just go for her. At least I wish.