Born in 1999 in northern Greece's city of Serres, Akylas grew up with a passion for music, studying at the Music School of Serres while also attending theatre classes.
“Ferto”, written by Akylas Mytilinaios, Orfeas Nonis, Theofilos Pouzbouris and Thomas Papathanasis, won over the Greek public during Greece's National Broadcaster (ERT) final and secured Akylas a ticket to Vienna.
Akylas describes his Eurovision participation as “a great honour”, stressing that belief in himself was what kept him standing through rejection and hardship.
Despite the upbeat and explosive character of the song, Akylas says “Ferto” is actually about consumerism, deprivation, and a generation that grew up during Greece’s financial crisis.
The song is also dedicated to his mother, whom he describes as a “hero” for the sacrifices she made for their family.
He says he has also been deeply moved by the support from the Greek-Australian community, with his song standing out in Eurovision fan votes across Australian cities, especially in Melbourne.
“It’s chilling to hear people in other countries singing in Greek,” he says, explaining that it was a conscious decision to keep Greek lyrics in the song.
Greece will compete in the first Eurovision semi-final, which will air in Australia in the early hours of Wednesday 13 May (AEST), with the Final following on Sunday 17 May via SBS On Demand.
Viewers can watch Eurovision live on SBS Television and via SBS On Demand.
The full interview with Akylas on SBS Greek follows below:
SBS Greek: A few months ago, you were performing music in public outdoor spaces, and now you are in Vienna for Eurovision. You’ve spoken about passion and hard work. Are there other ingredients needed for an artist to succeed?
Akylas: The most important thing is belief in ourselves. That’s what gives us the strength to do everything.
We can do anything, completely change our lives, and that’s exactly what I did.
Even though I went through many difficulties and many closed doors, people were telling me this would lead nowhere, that I should find another job and stop wasting my time.
But I kept believing in my vision and in myself. Of course, belief alone is not enough.
It also takes a lot of hard work to improve and reach where you want to be. I never stopped working and developing my voice and my songwriting.
Right now, I’m representing my country at Eurovision, and it is a huge honour to represent Greece and all Greeks.
It’s especially emotional for me because this wasn’t a direct selection by ERT, the Greek public voted for me. I truly want to make them proud and achieve the best result I can.
But the most important message I want to send through this song is to all the young people who think they cannot succeed because they may not have money, connections, or because they’ve been told they are not good enough.
All you really need is belief in yourself.
That is the greatest power that can completely change your life.
SBS Greek: Eurovision fan groups in Australia voted “Ferto” the third-best song after Finland and Denmark. In Melbourne, they selected your song as the most likely to win the competition. How does it feel knowing “Ferto” is being heard 16,000 kilometres away from where you are right now?
Akylas: It’s incredible. It gives me goosebumps. For me personally, this is a huge change.
For years, I’ve been trying to make music and somehow get noticed.
So imagine how emotional and unbelievable it is for me that three months ago I was performing on the street, and now so many people are listening and connecting with the story behind the song.
We also went to Bucharest, London and Amsterdam. People in the crowd were shouting ‘Ferto’ and singing in Greek.
And that’s also very important: people have started learning and speaking Greek through our song this year, and for me it was very important to include Greek lyrics in the track.
SBS Greek: Is there something you worry the Eurovision audience may not have understood about the song or about you?
Akylas: The truth is that most people think this song is simply a happy, upbeat dance track without any deeper meaning.
But in reality, the song talks about consumerism and this constant need we have as people to keep buying more things, even when we already have enough, when our wardrobes are already full, but we still want the new jacket that just came out.
And all of this can come either from deprivation or from emotional gaps we carried from childhood.
This song is connected to my personal story.
I grew up in a household with financial difficulties, and it’s a song that expresses my generation.
I belong to a generation that grew up during the financial crisis, so most of us grew up feeling that something was missing.
It expresses a generation of young people with dreams who are afraid to take risks because they believe it will lead nowhere, either because they don’t have money, connections, or opportunities.
This song is exactly about that. And I myself am proof that you really can do anything if you truly believe it.
It’s also dedicated to my mother, who was truly a hero. She was always there for us, and despite the difficulties, she always tried to provide the best she could for my sister and me.
When you’re young, you don’t realise the sacrifices a parent makes, the things they go without so that you can have opportunities.
As children, we take these things for granted when in reality they are not.
I felt the need to speak about this through the song.
So this track is dedicated to all parents who try to provide the best they can for their children.
SBS Greek: Why do you think we still need a music competition like Eurovision? Is it still relevant today?
Akylas: It definitely is. It brings you closer, from your living room and your television, to the cultures of almost every European country.
Suddenly, on a Saturday night final, you see Moldova, Romania, Bulgaria, Australia…
It’s such a beautiful multicultural show, and it truly brings people together.
For me, the most magical thing Eurovision does is exactly that: I’ll be at parties with contestants from Moldova, Sweden, and so many young people from different countries.
Even though we feel so different and live so far away from one another, in reality, we have something in common: we are all human.
And that’s the most beautiful thing this experience has given me. I truly hope that after the competition I’ll feel like I have a home in every one of these countries, and of course, all these people have a home in Greece too.
SBS Greek: What is your message to Greeks in Australia? Why should they vote for your song?
Akylas: First of all, they should vote for the song because Greek Australians need to come back to Athens in the summer of 2027.
To celebrate, party, and head off to our beautiful islands, and because I truly believe this song has something special.
I really believe Greeks are united everywhere. We are everywhere, and it’s beautiful that this mentality exists and that we always support one another. I believe they will support us, too, and I truly hope so.
Akylas’ first album will be released on 22 May.
His first announced concert will take place on 30 June at Technopolis City of Athens.
The first Eurovision semi-final featuring Greece will begin at 5 am (Eastern Australian time) on Wednesday, 13 May.
The second semi-final will also begin at 5 am on Friday, 15 May.
The grand final will begin at 5 am on Sunday, 17 May.
Viewers can watch Eurovision live on SBS Television and via SBS On Demand.
