Cypriot music star swaps his mic for a seat at cabinet, “as a patriot”, to serve his nation.
The Cypriot President-elect Nikos Christodoulides has revealed that the singer Michalis Hatzigiannis has been appointed the Deputy Minister of Culture of his incoming administration.
The renowned Cypriot singer, songwriter and producer Hatzigiannis, is known to be a staunch patriot and is conscious of his parents’ background, as refugees.
Born in Nicosia in 1978, his parents are refugees from occupied Kyrenia.
“I accepted the proposal, because I wanted to help my country as much as possible”, (translated). Michalis said.
The award-winning artist debuted his first album in 2000, “Paraxenia Giorti”, with countless albums and hits under his belt.
Hatzigiannis has been a relevant force in the Greek music context, of Cyprus and Greece for many years, and furthermore, his latest releases, showing he is still top-of-his game.
Michalis had flown the Cypriot flag in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest, which was staged in Birmingham, with a song called “Genesis.”
It’s been ten years since his performance in London at a LGR and Privé Events production. Michalis wowed a sold-out crowd at Camden Town’s Koko, with London being one of his favourite stops.
Hatzigiannis is entering the world of politics, at a time when still producing new music. The current single, “Me Ponaei”, a melodic ballad, recently, entered LGR’s website chart.
The question remains: is his ‘conversion’ to politics only a short-term exercise? Has this spelt a change of careers, will we ever hear a Hatzigiannis new song (again)? Will he be using his position to elevate the prestige of Eurovision to his compatriots? Time will tell.
In the words of his Eurovision banger, it’s a new “beginning”, into adult politics that’s for sure.
Published: 04/03/2023
Picture source: Michalis Hatzigiannis, Koko, Camden Town, 2013. LGR & Privé Events
