Eurovision 2026: With optimism and dreams for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, Akylas and Fokas Evangelinos at ERT’s Press Day

All the magic of the 70th Eurovision Song Contest comes to ERT on the occasion of our country’s participation.

The key figures of the Greek entry, Akylas and creative director Fokas Evangelinos, were today, Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the ERT Broadcasting House as part of the established press day organized by ERT. They spoke to journalists from across the media about the presentation of “Ferto” on the stage of the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna.

Akylas, who expressed his excitement about his participation, referred to the special message of “Ferto,” noting that the theme of the song is greed and overconsumption, as well as the constant human need to want more and more, trying to fill gaps left by deprivation and childhood repressions. As he said, it is a personal story about the journey from lack to success, responsibility toward those who believed in you when there was nothing, and a reminder that true value lies in gratitude and in the people who stood by our side.

For his part, Fokas Evangelinos revealed that on the Eurovision stage, Akylas will be joined by Parthena Chorozidou, Michalis Michaelidis, Christos Nikolaou, and Konstantinos Makrypidis.

Journalists were also in for a surprise, as Akylas and the song “Ferto” have their own electronic game. It is an arcade game, of the endless runner type, inspired by the rhythm and aesthetics of this year’s Greek entry, where users are invited to help Akylas avoid obstacles on his way to Vienna and the Eurovision Grand Final.

The game is available online via desktop and mobile devices at: https://eurovision.ert.gr/fertothegame/

ERT will broadcast the two Semi-Finals, on May 12 and 14, as well as the Grand Final of Eurovision, on May 16, 2026, at 22:00, live on ERT1, on radio via Second Programme 103.7, ERT World, Voice of Greece, as well as with accessibility services on a dedicated channel on ERTFLIX.

It is reminded that Akylas will perform in 4th position in the First Semi-Final of Eurovision 2026, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Maria Kozakou and Giorgos Kapoutzidis will once again provide commentary for the two Semi-Finals and the Grand Final, while Klavdia will announce the Greek jury’s votes and the famous “12 points.”

During the three broadcasts, Dimitris Meidanis will be at the studio of Second Programme 103.7, enriching the commercial breaks with interviews and facts from the history of the contest.

Additionally, all three Eurovision nights will be broadcast with full sign language interpretation and without commercial breaks on the Eurovision Channel, the dedicated channel of ERTFLIX.

On the nights of the Semi-Finals and the Grand Final, a special show on ERT1 will set the Eurovision mood before the start of each event, while immediately after the broadcasts from Vienna, a themed show will follow, featuring commentary and behind-the-scenes insights from what happened both in front of and behind the cameras of the world’s biggest music competition.

A total of 35 countries are participating in the 70th Eurovision Song Contest, of which five qualify directly for the Grand Final — the so-called “Big Four” (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy), along with the host country Austria.

Germany and Italy will perform and vote in the First Semi-Final, while France, the United Kingdom, and Austria will do so in the Second Semi-Final.

The songs that will qualify for the Final are determined by the votes of the public and the juries. Viewers in Greece will be able to vote by telephone, SMS, or online at www.esc.vote.

Running order of the First Semi-Final: Moldova, Sweden, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Georgia, *Italy, Finland, Montenegro, Estonia, Israel, *Germany, Belgium, Lithuania, San Marino, Poland, Serbia.

Running order of the Second Semi-Final: Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Romania, Luxembourg, Czechia, *France, Armenia, Switzerland, Cyprus, *Austria, Latvia, Denmark, Australia, Ukraine, *United Kingdom, Albania, Malta, Norway.

Countries marked with an asterisk qualify directly for the Grand Final.