Greece crashed out of the Eurovision semi-finals for the first time ever in Stockholm. But being one of the most successful nations in the contest since the semis were introduced, they’re not giving up. Instead it seems that they are formulating plans to stage a national final for Eurovision 2017.
ERT, Greece’s public broadcaster, only confirmed participation a few weeks ago. But it looks like things are progressing quickly. They’re reportedly going to send invitations to a host of interested artists to gage their seriousness. Crucially, more people will be involved in this year’s selection and they’re unlikely to choose behind-closed-doors.
Speaking to music website mikrofwno.gr, Panagiotis Tsolias, ERT’s Corporate Communications and Press Manager, said:
In ten days, we’ll have a full image of what we are going to do. We’re in the process of contacting many artists that have shown interest. We only decided that we are going to participate twenty days ago. So in the next days we will also decide how our act will be selected. There’ll probably be some candidates and a national selection show, as happened for years.
Unfortunately, Mr. Tsolias also said that there is no truth in the rumours that have been swirling about particular artists in recent months. That’s bad news for anyone who was hoping that Demy would be selected, then…
It seems that ERT would be in charge of the national final. The president of ERT, Dionisis Tsaknis (who selected Argo last year), says that no private broadcaster will take the responsibility of organising a selection. Previously, MAD TV hosted the Greek national final Eurosong.
Greece has, of course, used many selection formats in the past: internally selecting their artist but hosting a NF for the song; selecting a specific record label that then selected the acts to participate in the NF; and sending open invitations to record labels to submit one entry each. The format of this year’s national final remains unclear.
For now all we can do is wait and see what Greece decides. But at least we can take comfort in knowing they are thinking this through and are keen to get back to the final.
What do you think? Is Greece headed in the right direction? Or are you worried we’ll end up with Argo 2.0?
I’m so fulled of comments posted everywhere (fb, yt, etc) that refer to the greek debt. Italy, France, The Netherlands are some of the eu countries that owe a LOT more money than Greece. So stop spreading lies you hear on tv and get your facts straight.
@Frau von Storch
@Charles
A Eurovision-related site is the last place I (a Greek) whould like to see some (more) ignorant, smart-ass foreigners talk about the political situation in Greece.I can’t argue with you, I’m tired. Quora and a ton of on-line newspapers are MORE than enough.SO GO THERE if you wanna talk about politics AND GTHO OF WIWIBLOGGS.
@Robyn Gallagher: Original? Maybe! Sophisticated? No way! Demo-esque? Pretty sure! Amateur? Absolutely! … They bombed at the semi final because they decided to a) stop sending the same bs they tended to send during their proud televoting-any-load-of-crap years and b) they decided to stop being sophisticated and retaining their ethnic deep music leaving those songs in the 90s … being entertained by free alcoholic men in kilts and screaming men dressed in white is not as pleasing as a stand up comedy show much less bringing Shakira-esque numbers … it may be entertaining for everybody but it ain’t good. Period.
Learning from their mistakes (which have been way too many as far as ESC goes) … or learning to finally work their way out of their own issues and get money for things that are far more important than having someone paying their Eurovision participation every time? Eurovision will not diminish unemployment ratings or pay the bills at the end of the month much less change austerity policies … it’s nothing but a one night distraction … is it any worth considering … it’s not for free? For as long as they stop sending bs ethnic crap and give us… Read more »
@Kayt Phoe China
Can they send worse? (:
@Robyn Gallagher
No…. last year they sent a really really bad pontiac song.
Actually, when Greece sent something original they were in top-10…lets remember Opa -Alcohol is free -Number one- Watch my dance(refrain)
But…with up tempo songs they were also in top-10. Secret Combination-This is our night-Shake it -Yassou Maria etc….
So??
Hopefully they send a better entry then 2016!
That would be funny if they won again in Kyiv! #ATHENS 2018
I want it staged in a mall. Ethno-pop diva climbing guys during a daytime walk through the mall screaming Aphrodisiac while being on playback.
Life doesn’t get better than that.
And I’m tired of salty comments like below. Though this year a peak of people showed where their manners are, I suppose a bigger tidal when we’ll be getting more about how ‘everything’s fine’ in Kiev
@R+
Well, 2015 was the only exception. In 2014 we sent once again a cheap upbeat generic song.
@Robyn Gallagher
I wouldn’t call “Utopian Land” sophisticated… nor professional…
I mean that I want to see my country taking the contest more seriously and sending entries that make you say “WOW”. Like Armenia 2016 or Latvia 2015.
We always submit very “common” entries and I don’t like that.
I need Greece to send a Kalomira-level performer with stage presence, energy and charisma. And, of course, a catchy song just like only they can do.
@(J)ESC Fanatic: Stuck in ethno-pop? In 2014 you sent a techno-rap song and in 2015 a common ballad.
About this piece of news: I’m glad that Greece will do a National Final, the more the better!
Now, we have to see which songs are the options and see which ones are more suitable for the Eurovision Song Contest.
I hope Greece does well, they’re one of my favorite countries in Eurovision and deserve to get back to the final.
the more NFs the better!
although juggling them all at the same time is going to be a nightmare
That’s great! I hope my country sends something original and sophisticated this year. I don’t like how we are stuck in generic ethno-pop for years…