Greek singer Elena Tsagrinou is set to represent the island in Rotterdam in May with the dance-y pop song “El Diablo.” She gained notoriety in 2009 and reached the semifinals of ‘Greece’s Got Talent’ of just 14 years.
The controversial entry contains lines like “Tonight we’re burning up at a party, it’s heaven in hell with you” and “I gave my heart to El Diablo … because he tells me I’m his angel.
The song is said to ‘benefit our worldwide mockery by promoting our surrender to the devil and promoting his worship’, while praising the ‘fatalistic submission of people to the power of the devil’.
Andreas Frangos, chairman of CyBC, told local journalists that the broadcaster did not plan to withdraw ‘El Diablo’ from the competition.
The company said in a statement to CNN: “The song tells the story of a girl caught in an exploitative relationship with a bad guy, which is why she calls him ‘el diablo’. It’s the eternal battle “between evil and good. this problematic Stockholm syndrome relationship and despite the paranoia she experiences, the truth always shines in the end, and she seeks help to break the ties on a path to freedom.”
“Any other interpretation has nothing to do with the meaning of the song,” CyBC added, “which especially these days should not only be applauded, but also be an inspiration, not only for women, but also for everyone. experiencing similar situations. “
By rejecting the CyBC’s “metaphorical interpretation,” the church described the lyrics as “challenging and unacceptable” and “completely contrary to the values of our people.”
It is said that thousands of citizens have been contacted who have expressed their displeasure over the choice of the song.
“We call on the government to appoint the board of directors of CyBC to cancel and replace the choice of this song with another that expresses our history and culture, our traditions and our claims,” the church said. .
The call comes days after police were called to CyBC’s offices following reports that a 48-year-old man had entered the premises illegally to protest over the song.
A Home Affairs spokesman told CNN that the man was “charged with trespassing, public unrest, insult and intimidation.”
The case has even reached the highest levels of Cypriot politics.
Victoras Papadopoulos, director of the press ‘press office, said in a statement:’ We respect the views of the Holy Synod or those who do not agree with the title of the song that will represent Cyprus in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
“At the same time, however, the Government respects creative intellectual and artistic freedom which, due to the title of a song, cannot be misinterpreted or restricted, and unnecessary dimensions should not be ascribed.”
Tsagrinou did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
Eurovision organizers this week released extensive Covid-19 health and safety plans to make the contest take place in May after it was canceled last year due to the pandemic.
All participants must be quarantined for five days before leaving for the Netherlands and tested negative for the virus 72 hours before flying. Once in Rotterdam, delegations must stay at their hotel unless they are in the Ahoy Arena for rehearsals, the live shows and other related activities, organizers said.