Klavdia from Greece: "Our staging will be a great surprise for you"
INTERVIEW Representing Greece at Eurovision wasn't something Klavdia was expecting this early in her career, but after winning the Greek selection competition it was inevitable. She wants to make people connect with her through her song and voice, and confirms she'll have completely different staging in Basel
It had been eight years since Greece's public broadcaster ERT held a national selection competition in order to select their representative for the world's biggest music contest. Ethnikós Telikós 2025 took place earlier this year, and Klavdia won with her song "Asteromata."
She's only 22-years-old, but Eurovision has been a goal of hers for a while. In fact, she had already attempted to represent Greece a couple of years ago:
– I had already tried back in 2023, but back then the process was different. We didn't have a national selection contest, she explains.
– That didn't stop me from trying again, and here I am two years later.
We continue talking about the adventure:
– Eurovision was always something I dreamt about and I've always wanted to represent Greece, so it feels surreal to me. I knew it was a goal but I am so young, I didn't expect it to happen so early on.
Unlike many of this year's acts, Klavdia skipped the Eurovision pre-parties and will only meet her colleagues when she lands in Basel, something she's eager for:
– I can't wait for the rehearsals to start and to meet everyone there!
Klavdia will be performing "Asteromata," an ethnic ballad that addresses separation in every possible form... From what we love, from our childhood, from a place we left behind... It's open to interpretation but, in its essence, it shares a message of hope and resilience. While she didn't pen the song, it was easy for the Greek singer to connect with it on a personal level. She goes on to call it "her little baby":
– The lyrics were ready since last year. They were in some drawer just sitting and waiting to be used, she shares.
– I did the melody in some parts. In the verses, to be exact. And I totally feel like this song is my little baby.
How did that come about?
– I literally went with the flow. I read the lyrics and the melody came by, it was very natural. In fact, all about this song was natural and we were all on the same page. There were no complaints whatsover, only love from everyone.
It makes me feel safe, blessed and lucky to have people by my side who support me and my song.
Literally from everyone. The response to "Asteromata" has been amazing and makes this hectic journey feel safe and blessed:
– I have received so many messages from people saying they like my song and that they were touched by it. That makes me feel so strong and certain of what I am going to do in Basel, she explains.
– It makes me feel safe, blessed and lucky to have people by my side who support me and my song. It's my little win.
Not so little!
– Yeah, that's a big accomplishment for myself.
Beginning and Eurovision 2025
What about what's yet to come? In the national selection competition, Klavdia opted for a rather simplistic staging with little movement, but elegant. Everything is changing for Switzerland:
– I can tell you that our staging will be completely different from what you've seen in Ethnikós Telikós. Nothing will be the same, it will be a big surprise for you all.
Without spoiling anything, Klavdia confirms that the rehearsals are going flawlessly, that she's having a lot of fun, feeling creative, and that the team is all on the same page:
– Everything's ready, actually. I am living a dream... The dream to be exact and this is one of a kind experience.
According to the Greek singer, music has always been around and she cannot recall a moment where it wasn't present in her life. She goes as far as to say she was born with it. Yet, it was at the age of 15 where she first rose to fame by auditioning for the fifth season of Greece Got Talent. This was also where she met Greece's only Eurovision winner, Helena Paparizou (Greece 2005):
– The mother, she rapidly calls her.
Our staging will be completely different from what you've seen in Ethnikós Telikós.
– We have spoken about Eurovision. She advised me to remain calm throughout the whole process, to listen, and to trust, my creative director and my team. She also said not to mind anything that is not mine to care and to focus on my song and staging and honestly... Who am I not to listen to Helena Paparizou? She's the voice of wisdom.
Do you think it will be possible to ignore all around you keeping in mind how last year went down?
– Eurovision is a music party where we all unite through music, so I'll behave as if I am being invited to a party with lots of music. I intend to have a lot of fun and nothing should ruin this experience for me.
Besides experiencing the adventure, Klavdia's main goal is to make people connect with her and with her song:
– I want people to feel something and to leave a memorable performance, so whenever I watch it after I can be proud.
As for the one thing she wants people to remember her for, that's an obvious one for her:
– Oh, my voice. That's the one tool of mine I want to show to the world and make people feel emotions because I connect with people with my voice.
Klavdia will represent Greece at this year's Eurovision Song Contest with her song "Asteromata." She'll take the stage in the second Semi-final on 15 May.
