Antigoni Buxton, Cyprus's artist for Eurovision 2026, has strongly defended her song video. The video is called "Jalla." Many people have criticized it. Academics, artists, and former officials shared their concerns. Buxton said she is not worried about the comments. She wants to show Cypriot culture to the world. She thinks she has done this well.
The song and its video have caused much talk. Some people wrote a letter. They asked the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) to remove the song and video. Critics say the video shows Cyprus in a bad way. They are worried about young people doing dangerous stunts on mopeds. They called these scenes "problematic." Some people think the video is "insulting."
Buxton is happy with the good comments. She said, "Everyone says really nice things." She likes the song. She is very thankful. When asked about the criticism, she said, "Let them talk." She believes her art is important. She used the Cypriot dialect on purpose. She thinks this is important for showing national identity.
The argument has divided people. Some like the song's use of dialect. They like the video's look. Others think the video shows the wrong image for Cyprus. The mix of culture and dangerous actions is a big problem. This has led to strong public discussion.
The letter came from important people. They are from schools, art groups, and government. Their letter is a big challenge for CyBC. They worry the video will hurt Cyprus's image. However, Buxton is sure about her art. She will not change her mind easily. The next few months will show if CyBC listens to the letter or supports Buxton's song.