Despite just missing out on the top ten, Marina Satti’s “Zari” has injected new life into Greece’s Eurovision trajectory. Not only did the ERT stage a coup with getting the famous singer to represent them, but “Zari” also became a number one hit in Greece and uplifted her profile simultaneously. She has since released the EP P.O.P, which gained fans from inside her home country and the rest of the world; and is currently touring abroad.
As a result, the ERT announced a national final to select their 2025 entrant, allowing the floodgates to burst wide open. Previous national finals have involved only one artist, songs chosen by invitation, or a specific genre entailed. They frequently involved random locations, fascinating controversies, and ever-changing rules.
With the hype emerging from Greece’s re-emergence, fans are expecting stability with the format, knowing how Greece’s national finals could go astray. For this year, the song will be decided by 50% televote, and 50% jury–a mix of local and international ones to boot. Beyond that, amongst the mix are rising and established stars; two names which Euro-fans are eyeing are Evangelia and Klavdia. Both of them have had previously attempted to represent Greece in recent years and have proven themselves as strong artists with their own particular visions. Evangelia impressed the fandom with her mix of pop and folk music; harkening back to Greece’s golden era in the 2000s, whereas Klavdia emerged from The Voice of Greece to become an established singer on her own right.
Another realm to explore is if any Cypriot artists would want to try their hand in representing Greece. Recently, Cyprus has looked to their diaspora for Eurovision representation, which Greece did too between 2019 and 2023. Several Greek artists, like Eleni Foureira and Tamta, have represented the island with fan-favorites, and Anna Vissi represented Greece twice in 1980 and 2006, with one show for her homeland Cyprus in 1982.
Greece may have an inconsistent national final tradition, but still manage to pull of their fair share of bangers, of which these five serve as an entry point for Greek Eurovision history.
Dafni Bokota — Ioulietta (1983)
The name Dafni Bokota might not be a familiar name for non-Greek Eurovision fans; but between 1987 and 2004, she was the Greek commentator for the contest, and hosted some of their national finals. Before that, she had a noted career as a singer, releasing an album featuring a couple of hits. The song “Ioulietta” showcases her falsetto and the mix of pop and traditional elements which would define future Greek entries. It would ultimately come in sixth out of eleven entries in 1983.
Peggy Zina — Love is a Wonderful Thing (2002)
Following Greece’s success with “Die for You”, the 2002 version of Ellinkos Telikos had a high bar to clear. One of the main contenders was with “Love is a Wonderful Thing” by Peggy Zina, who was a rising star in the Greek music industry. Written by Thanos Kalliris, who previously represented Greece in 1987 with the duo Bang, it has instant favorite written all over it with its switch from Greek to English and Peggy’s enthusiasm. Ultimately, it came in joint second with MLV’s multilingual wonder “2 Be Together” to “S.A.G.A.P.O.“, which would make its own peculiar mark in Tallinn.
Maria Atsopardi — Tis Nychtes Megalono (2003)
Greece is well known for its more traditionally-influenced entries, and “Tis Nychtes Megalono” is a beautiful example of that. With lyrics musing over journeys taken at night, along with the passage of time, it feels like entering a dream and traveling with Maria throughout those three minutes. Ultimately, it came in sixth place, a result of getting the same place in the jury, SMS vote, and televote.
Tamta — With Love (2007)
In Greece, Tamta is best known for her pop bops, intriguing collaborations, and creative sense of style. “With Love” has traditional elements like most of Greece’s golden era entries, though it wouldn’t get lost with other Balkan ballads of that time. In a three-song national final, “With Love” came in third, but the song became a hit, and Tamta’s star rose in the country.
She also tried to compete in the 2015 edition with “Unloved“, but the song was submitted too late. Ultimately, Tamta would get her chance with Cyprus in 2019, with the song “Replay”.
Shaya Hansen — Sunshine (2015)
After the 2013 contest, ERT, Greece’s national broadcaster, shut down, leaving NERIT to pick up the pieces for the 2014 contest. The private TV Channel MAD TV ended up hosting their own national final, of which 2015 was the last time Greece held one with multiple artists. Most notably, it took place within a parking lot!
Sung by a former singer of the girl group Hi-5, “Sunshine” is a folk-infused bop meant to bring light to everybody who listens to it. It came in second with the televote, but a weaker jury score lowered “Sunshine” to third overall.
Bonus: Areti Ketime — Don’t Forget the Sun (2018)
The last time Greece attempted a national final, they aimed for a mix of Greek-language folk songs for the 2018 contest. However, the entries kept witling down due to not fitting the criteria and the €20,000 fee the record labels had to pay to the broadcaster, which ended up canceling the national final altogether.
One of the songs initially for consideration was “Don’t Forget the Sun”, a slow, stately piece sung by Areti Ketime. A well known santur player, she previously performed at the 2004 Olympics prior to the opening ceremony. “Don’t Forget the Sun” shows her santur playing skills and vocal abilities in equal fashion. The lyrics also provide a call for unity when things get tough, hoping that the people would not forget “the sun that shines for us.”
The Greek national final will air on 30 January 2025.