Europe is moving to the rhythm of Eurovision 2026 in anticipation of Saturday’s second semi-final and final in Vienna, Austria.

The first semi-final took place last Tuesday night, with Akylas being praised by the public and on social media and the following countries receiving the qualification: Greece, Finland, Belgium, Belgium, Sweden, Moldova, Israel, Serbia, Croatia, Croatia, Lithuania and Poland.

Akylas’s appearance

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Akylas impressed with the song “Ferto”, presenting a concept reminiscent of a modern arcade game, under the direction of Fokas Evaggelinos.

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Wearing the distinctive orange attire and “cat ears”, he began his act by pressing a virtual “Start” on stage. The presentation included mirror tunnels and room constructions. In one of them, Parthena Horozidou, dressed as a knitting lady (also with ears), danced with him, creating one of the most viral moments of the night.

During the show, Akylas used a roller skate on the catwalk, while in a gesture of homage to Elena Paparizou (2005) he used Konstantinos Makrypidis as a “human lyre”.
At another point, he sent a personal message to his mother, which was even projected in English, before ending his appearance with the “Korean heart”.

BBC: The most ambitious stage presence of the night

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Akylas’ outstanding performance and stage presence did not go unnoticed on social media with most of the comments being laudatory.

The BBC seems to have had the same reaction, as they praised Akylas in a report analysing all the performances in the Eurovision 2026 semi-final.

Specifically, in the article the BBC wrote: “Greek singer Akylas had the most ambitious stage presence of the night, making references to elements ranging from ancient Greek sculpture and the tradition of knitting to Greece’s only Eurovision winner to date, Elena Paparizou.

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His song, “Ferto”, juxtaposed the materialism of the social media generation with the hardships his family experienced during the Greek economic crisis of 2009-2018. Although he is considered one of this year’s strongest contenders, he has yet to outperform Finland, which bookmakers say has a 34% chance of winning.”

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“Another level of party”

Similar comments were made on Instagram by the BBC’s special Eurovision channel. In a post, he called the song “a piece of crap”
“Ferto!” This Greek kommatara is really of another level. Akilas gives it all – and more – in his performance in the semi-final,” he wrote.