Country Cyprus Selected entrant Despina Olympiou | Selection process Internal selection Selected song "An me thimasai" | |
 | ||
Selection date(s) Artist: 23 January 2013
Song: 14 February 2013 Semi-final result Failed to qualify (15th, 11 points) | ||
Cyprus participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö, Sweden, and selected their entry through an internal selection, organised by the Cypriot broadcaster Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC). Despina Olympiou represented Cyprus with the song "An me thimasai", which failed to qualify from the first semi-final of the contest, placing 15th and scoring 11 points.
Contents
Background
Prior to the 2013 Contest, Cyprus had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest twenty-nine times since its first entry in 1981. Its best placing was fifth, which it achieved three times: in 1982 with the song "Mono I Agapi" performed by Anna Vissi, in 1997 with "Mana Mou" performed by Hara and Andreas Constantinou, and 2004 with "Stronger Every Minute" performed by Lisa Andreas. Cyprus's least successful result was in 1986 when it placed last in 1986 with the song "Tora Zo" by Elpida, receiving only three points in total. However, its worst finish in terms of points received was when it placed second to last in 1999 with "Tha'nai Erotas" by Marlain Angelidou, receiving only two. In 2012, Cyprus selected Ivi Adamou to represent the country in Baku. Ivi achieved the 16th place in the final making it their best result since 2004.
Internal selection
Prior to the official announcement of CyBC, many different artists were rumoured to have been in negotiations or in contention for being selected. Among these artists were Giorgos Papadopoulos, Valando Tryfonos, Despina Olympiou, Vera Boufi, Filippos Konstantinou and Giorgos Doukas.
On 1 February, CyBC announced that Despina Olympiou was internally selected to represent Cyprus. During a press conference on 14 February, the Cypriot song, "An me thimasai", with lyrics by Zenon Zindilis and music by Andreas Giorgallis, was officially presented to the public and press.
Preparation
Olympiou travelled to Greece on 18 February to promote her entry during the Greek national final. Spanish (Si Me Recuerdas) and English acoustic (If You Think Of Me) versions of the song were released to promote the entry prior to the contest.
At Eurovision
Cyprus was allocated to compete in the first semi-final on 14 May for a place in the final on 18 May. In the first semifinal, the producers of the show decided that Cyprus would perform 14th, following Ireland and preceding Belgium. The Cypriot performance featured Olympiou alone on stage, wearing a black silk dress with tulle elements.
Cyprus failed to qualify from the first semi-final of the competition, placing 15th and scoring 11 points.