Cyprus Returns to Eurovision Young Musicians: Clarinetist Iakovos Kedarytis to Represent the Country

Cypriot broadcaster CyBC has announced that 18-year-old clarinetist Iakovos Kedarytis will represent the country at the Eurovision Young Musicians 2026 competition.

The musician was selected by a professional jury following auditions held in Nicosia. The committee included Music Education Inspector Chara Charalambidou Anastasiou (Chair), conductor Petros Stylianou, and pianist Marios Ioannou.

Kedarytis becomes the first clarinetist to represent Cyprus in this competition since 2008.

Cyprus participated in Eurovision Young Musicians 12 times between 1988 and 2010. The country is now returning to the competition for the first time in 16 years.

Eurovision Young Musicians 2026 will take place on June 6 in Yerevan, Armenia. This will be the third Eurovision event hosted in the city.

To date, participation has been confirmed by Armenia, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Latvia, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, and Sweden. Austria and Norway have withdrawn, while France and Switzerland have yet to announce their decision.

Eurovision Young Musicians is an international competition for musicians aged 12 to 21. Established in 1982, it was the first spin-off of the Eurovision Song Contest.

Throughout its history, 42 countries have participated. Austria remains the most successful nation with six wins and 17 finals. The most recent winner was Austrian Leonhard Baumgartner, who won the 2024 competition in Bodø, Norway.

Cyprus's return to this prestigious musical platform is seen as a significant step in promoting the country's young talents on the international stage.