Cyprus entered the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 1981. By legend, the island is the birthplace of the ancient Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite.
As of 2019, Cyprus holds the record for the most times participating in the Eurovision Song Contest without winning. The best placing for the country came in 2018 when Eleni Foureira finished in second place. Before that, fifth place was the best Cyprus had achieved in 1982, 1997 and 2004.
In 2008 Cyprus hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Lemesos.