More organised Christians in Cyprus are angry over the country’s offering this year to the annual Eurovision song contest, saying it has scandalised the faithful with its references to the devil.
This is what Philenews reported on Monday, adding that the Pancyprian Association of Hellene Theologians is the latest one to call for the ‘diabolical’ song entry’s withdrawal.
“The chosen song could be appropriate for indifferent societies in Europe, those that do not have the sensitivities of Cyprus’ society,” the Association said in a statement.
“Undoubtedly, we would have liked to win the top position in the competition but not in the name of devil,” added the Association.
“El Diablo” (The Devil), a dance mix performed by Greek singer Elena Tsagrinou, was announced last week as Cyprus’ entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, scheduled in May in Rotterdam.
The catchy tune includes lyrics like “I fell in love…I gave my heart to El Diablo” and “I gave it up because he tells me I’m his angel”, calling the relationship spicy and hotter than sriracha – a hot sauce.
A video with the song shows Tsagrinou dancing on an exercise mat, then dancing with individuals lunging at her, presumably little demons.
An earlier petition calling for the song to be withdrawn had more than 2,500 signatures by Friday afternoon.
And religious instruction teachers also waded in with their union already saying: “We shouldn’t participate at all if we are representing ourselves with every and any diabolic sub-culture.”
National broadcaster and Eurovision contestant, CyBC, defended its choice saying the lyrics told the story of the enduring battle between good and evil, and a woman suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.
