Fokas Evangelinos reveals Eurovision staging secrets for Akylas and Parthena Chorozidou as ERT launches an official 8-bit game.
Just before the Greek delegation packs their bags and departs for Vienna on May 1st, the Greek national broadcaster (ERT) is ramping up preparations. From staging secrets shared by a legendary director to the launch of an official video game, here is everything you need to know about the preparations for Akylas and the entry “Ferto” (in English: “Bring It”) for Eurovision 2026.
The Mask Comes Off: Staging Secrets Revealed
The veteran artistic director Fokas Evangelinos recently appeared on a local television program to shed light on what we can expect on stage in Vienna. A major focus of the interview was the role of the well-known actress Parthena Chorozidou, who will accompany the singer on stage.
Evangelinos confirmed that a unique and distinct prop will be utilized, though he declined to provide specifics. However, he shared dramatic details regarding the role of Chorozidou, who will portray a maternal figure and meet the artist toward the middle of the song.
“There will be a moment of deep emotion,” Evangelinos stated. “At the emotional peak of the performance, Akylas will break character, remove his mask and glasses, and speak to his mother.” The director added that the LED screens in the background will display visual aids telling the singer’s story. When asked how the performance would transition from this intimate moment back to the song’s upbeat tempo, he only teased with a smile, “It will be very interesting.” He concluded by declaring that the delegation’s goal is victory. The first rehearsal for Greece at the Wiener Stadthalle will be held on Saturday, May 2nd.
“We Are Progressing Very Well”
Meanwhile, stand-in rehearsals have already taken place at the arena in Vienna. This standard procedure involves local performers simulating the staging so that heads of delegations can check camera angles, lighting, and movement before the artists themselves arrive in the city.
Akylas saw his staging come to life for the first time through rehearsal footage. Responding to a fan on Instagram who asked how the rehearsal went and if it met his expectations, the singer remained cautious but optimistic, replying in Greek: “We are progressing very well.”
Playing All the Way to the Final
To increase the buzz surrounding the entry, ERT launched a surprising promotional tool at a press conference in Athens: an official web game titled “Ferto The Game“.
The game is a nostalgic 8-bit “Endless Runner” inspired by the rhythm of the song and the unique aesthetic of Akylas. Players must guide the character through obstacles on the way to the Eurovision stage. As a bonus for fans, the game includes 8-bit versions of past Greek Eurovision stars, such as Klavdia, Sakis Rouvas, and the 2005 winner, Helena Paparizou.
הצגת פוסט זה באינסטגרם
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 5th in the betting tables ahead of Eurovision 2026.
Eurovision 2026: This will be Greece’s 46th participation in Eurovision. Greece joined the competition in 1974 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2005 when singer Helena Paparizou won first place with the song “My Number One”.
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Noy Yehoyada is an Israeli journalist and content creator at the EuroMix team since 2024, bringing a personal, feminine, and LGBTQ+ voice into the Eurovision sphere. A devoted Eurovision fan since the age of 16, she plays an active role in covering the contest—including on-site reporting at Eurovision 2025 in Basel and across European pre-party events. Alongside her writing and commentary, Noy plans the editorial schedule for the website, closely tracks national selections and song reveals, participates in live broadcasts, and creates digital content focusing on representation, musical diversity, and emotional connections.
Beyond her work at EuroMix, Noy has over six years of experience in the cosmetics and pharma industries, with a background in sales, personal consulting, and managing beauty departments. She enjoys pop, rap, contemporary art, and traveling in Europe—and especially loves songs that make her want to dance, as well as those that tell a story.
