LAST UPDATE: 14:45
In a statement that the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus issued after the publication of the title and content of the song, which, unfortunately, was approved by the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (RIK) and will represent Cyprus in the song contest Eurovision, expressed its strong disagreement and frustration.
The Church of Cyprus highlighted in its announcement that instead of contributing to the promotion of the rights of the people and the promotion of their demands for freedom, the Board of Directors of RIK offered the global ridicule of the country with the presentation of the declaration that “we surrender ourselves to the devil and that in this way we promote his worship”. It is essentially the glorification of a fatalistic submission and surrender of man to the power of the devil.
Regarding the metaphorical interpretation of the song given by the officials of RIK, the Holy Synod pointed out that it does not in any way reflect the provocative and unacceptable content of its lyrics, which does not cease to represent a sad subculture, unworthy of the culture and values of the people of Cyprus and opposes its Greek and Orthodox traditions. “From any point of view and with any explanations, even if we look at the lyrics of the song, they do not send the most appropriate messages that should be sent from a semi-occupied homeland that fights for liberation and prevention of its complete enslavement,” the Synod pointed out.
It is also stressed that thousands of people express daily their justified dissatisfaction with the song, as well as with the way it was chosen.
The Holy Synod of Cyprus called on the Government, which appoints the Board of Directors of RIK and to which it is accountable, to take care of the cancellation of the selection of the specific song and its replacement with another one that expresses the History, Culture, Traditions, and claims of Cyprus.
At the same time, as reported by sigmalive.com, the Director of the Press Office of the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Viktoras Papadopoulos, issued a written statement in regards to the song that will represent Cyprus at Eurovision.
“We respect any views of the Holy Synod or those who disagree with the title of the song that will represent Cyprus at Eurovision this year. At the same time, however, the Government fully respects the intellectual and artistic freedom of creation, which can not be misinterpreted or restricted due to the title of a song and should not be given dimensions that are not needed,” Viktoras Papadopoulos noted in a statement.
