Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021
Cyprus participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The Cypriot broadcaster Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (CyBC) internally selected Elena Tsagrinou as its representative with the song "El Diablo". "El Diablo" was written and composed by Thomas Stengaard, Laurell Barker, Oxa, and Jimmy Thörnfeldt. Cyprus performed 8th in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, held on 18 May 2021, and placed 6th, receiving 170 points. The entry qualified for the final held four days later, where the nation placed 16th with 94 points.
Elena Tsagrinou performing "El diablo" in the jury show for the first semi-final.
Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021
Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with the song "Karma" performed by Anxhela Peristeri. Its entry was selected through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2020. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest sixteen times since its first entry in 2004. Prior to the contest, the song was promoted by a music video and various television and radio appearances in Albania, Greece, Kosovo and San Marino.
Eugent Bushpepa was part of the artistic committee who selected the 26 entries for the 59th edition of Festivali i Këngës. Bushpepa represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 and finished in 11th place.
A video postcard introduced Anxhela Peristeri's shows, portraying a small house on the Hoge Brug in Maastricht decorated with personal pictures, a violin and other objects linked to the artist. At the end of the postcard, Peristeri greets the audience while playing a violin solo.