“I Can’t Speak”

During the same airport interview, the singer repeatedly apologized to the media and fans for his condition:

“Sorry. Finland was very beautiful. I can’t talk much, I’m really sorry.”

This brief interview raised significant concern within the Greek Eurovision community, prompting Akylas to share an update on social media about his condition. He posted a photo of himself connected to an IV drip and wrote:

“Thank you all for the messages. I think I’ll start feeling better tomorrow, don’t worry. Thank you for being by my side.”

In another story shared on his official account, he added:

“I am currently being treated by doctors. I’m in pain and can’t speak properly. Thank you for your understanding, I’ll be back soon.”

Intensive Promotion and an Unexpected Pause

The trip to Finland was part of an international promotional tour ahead of Eurovision 2026, as delegations across Europe are already entering the phase of performances, interviews, and media exposure. The situation highlights just how intense the pre-Eurovision period can be for artists, sometimes leading to significant physical strain. In Akylas’s case, it appears that the demanding schedule has taken a toll on his health.

Despite the concern, Akylas’s condition does not appear to be severe, and he has already begun medical treatment. At this stage, no changes have been reported to Greece’s schedule ahead of the competition. Fans are hoping for a swift recovery so that Akylas can resume preparations, as the road to the grand stage in Vienna is still long, but the time until Eurovision week in May is quickly running out.

Akylas – Who are you?

Akylas, whose full name is Akylas Mytilinaios, competed this year for the first time for a place at Eurovision – and clinched first place in the Greek national final. His road to the big stage is far from ordinary: he is the son of a mother who migrated from Georgia to Greece at the age of 17, and he began his musical journey as an anonymous street singer on Athens’ famous Ermou pedestrian avenue.

In recent years he has built a name for himself on the Greek indie scene as an up-and-coming pop singer, thanks to a unique persona and artistic identity that blend pop music, emotional lyricism and a queer-leaning edge. Throughout the national final season, Akylas was considered a leading favourite to win, both domestically and among international Eurovision followers. Data from betting platforms, YouTube and Spotify consistently and clearly pointed to his expected victory – a prediction that indeed came true in the grand final. Since the release of his Eurovision song “Ferto“, social media has been flooded with enthusiastic reactions, and many fans have drawn comparisons between the artist and song and Käärijä, who represented Finland and placed second at Eurovision 2023 with the hit “Cha Cha Cha”.

Greece at Eurovision 2026

“Ferto” (in English: “Bring it”) performed by Akylas will represent Greece in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2026 in Vienna. The song, co-written by Akylas and Teo Pouzbouris, embodies ambition and desire for greatness.

The song presents a manifesto of boundless ambition and an uncompromising desire to reach the top. The lyrics describe a character driven by inner fire and hunger for success – someone unwilling to settle for a small step forward, but instead demands it all: fame, money, power, and influence. The repeated call of “bring it” sharpens the feeling of a constant demand for more, as though the world itself is required to yield to the speaker’s aspirations.

Currently, Greece is ranked 4th in the betting tables ahead of Eurovision 2026.