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I had the happiness to know closely the Greek delegation and be able to talk to representatives of our country and make a very nice interview. I Sotiris Chartzoulakis and I present the representatives of Greece, the Argo!
About Argo
    Argo, is the name of the band that will represent Greece in the 61st Eurovision Song Contest with the song Utopian Land. The six-member group consists of Christina Lahana (singing), Maria Venetikidis (vocals), Vladimiros Sofianidis (singing), Kostas Topouzis (Pontian lyre), Elias Kesidis (vocals – percussion) and Alekos Papadopoulos in tabor.
     Argo is a dynamic combination, as professional music artists with prestigious music studies and impressive resumes join with passionate, self –taught performers who draw on powerful, personal experience in order to create powerful music.
    The band is mainly inspired by hip hop sounds; at the same time, their music resonates with folklore (Pontian) tunes and traditional instruments such as the lyre, all elements of ancestral legacy for most of the band’s members.

Stockholm 2016, the end of the journey to its destination. We are all here with Alexandros, Vladimiros, Costas, Christina and Maria.

Well, I want to ask, what Eurovision means for you guys?
Vladimiros: The biggest song contest.
Alexandros: A global scene.
Costas: It is something very beautiful that I say many times here, the atmosphere is incredible, we are very happy that we are on this big stage, the lights and all !!! I can not describe it. Only the one who lives it can describe it.
Maria: Meeting many cultures!
Christina: That's  exactly, is the union, is that you know in a few days so different people, it is incredible. Apart from all this is the music that unites the whole world and it is incredible!
Vladimiros: And to every artist  to make his own musical proposal.

What do you believe that will make the difference in your songs?
Costas: Our feature !!! (Showing the Pontic lyra)

Eurovision helps the career of an artist regardless of the position that will ultimately take and what will be in the end with the song?
Christina: I think it depends also from ourselves, from himself, what we try to do and after all this! If you get the victory but then you do not deal it ... definitely opportunities will be given to you, certainly some opportunities will be given to you but they depends on you if you do not grab them...
Alexandros: Life is a long journey, and Eurovision is a milestone, a very large milestone. But it is neither the beginning nor the end, that depends on everyone that will use it.
Maria: It is a unique opportunity that every artist won from it, its a unique organization, its size alone says it all! It is a unique experience for each artist.

Well, some time the lights will close and we will say goodbye to Stockholm, Argo, individually or as a band, which things you will keep when we return to Greece?
Vladimiros: What I said to the guys from the beginning, to stay themselves! As now, not to change anything between us!
Christina: I would like .... No I will keep .... I will keep my moments we lived all either in Athens or Stockholm, the moments when we laughed together, from the rehearsals, the cries, the laughter .... These moments will stay memorable because they can not be repeated and they are very true!

And what concerns the organization, and your experience, what have you learned from this whole event you lived all these days and you live now?
Costas: For me, I will keep this exactly! Their organization is incredible, bringing such a great event in reality is incredible. They are so calm and respond equally too throughout the organization, and with their smiles and even our stay in Stockholm that has no connection with the Eurovision indirectly but directly and yet they are so happy, you see it in the smiles, they are with us, support us all, are incredible, is an experience that you can not ever forget!
Alexandros: What struck me here in Stockholm is how important have taken this event, they find their own, making you feel cozy, homely, is too cool the guys in Sweden in general, and many times we were able to meet Swedish or Greek, which in some cases we where invited in their homes as guests, we saw how much they appreciate that we have come here and participate in this great event.
Christina: Of course it is and when you're on stage and is the world beneath you is enormous, I think this picture will be memorable! I do not think reliving it ever!

Well guys I want to thank you, I wish to see you in the final, as the whole Greece and 12points and thank you very much !!!

	Vladimiros Sofianidis     Vladimir was born in 1985 in Georgia (Sukhumi). He came to Greece in 1991 with his family. He studied music at the local conservatory and before even he finished school, he began to play music at local events and writing songs for his band. He continues to do so to this day.     He writes lyrics, composes songs and sings hip-hop music. Besides his music activity, Vladimir has been making a living as a skilled technician.
	Christina Lachana     Christina was born in Georgia (Sukhumi), with an ancestry from Pontus. Along with her family, she has lived in Greece since she was eight. All her paternal family members are musicians and this favourable environment contributed to her singing at a very young age. She has sung for the “Europond” music band since 2006.     Married and mother of two, Christina is fond of painting, dancing, gardening and nature outings. In the past she has studied hairdressing and aesthetics, and has attended English and Information Technology classes.
	Ilias kesidis     Ilias was born in Georgia (Sukhumi) where he spent his childhood. His grandparents originated from Pontus (Giresun). He has been living in Thessaloniki, Greece, since he was eight.     He has been passionate about music ever since he was a child. As an adult, he has followed his passion and, at the same time, has been working for technical /construction companies.     He is married and father of one child. Besides music, he is very fond of tennis, table tennis and football.
	Konstantinos Topouzis     Konstantinos is also of Pontian ancestry (Santa, Trabzon), which bequeathed his great love for Pontian music. He received a Pontian lyre as a birthday gift in 1996 and they have been inseparable ever since. Inspired by musical sounds such as ska, punk rock, hiphop, jazz, ethnic music of the world, Constantine also plays bass guitar for bands in Thessaloniki.     A graduate of the Technical & Vocational School of Thessaloniki, Constantine has been working as a technician. He is married and father of two children, and his favorite hobbies include skateboarding and Enduro sports.
	Alexandros Papadopoulos     Alexandros is a researcher of percussion and of the people’s rhythms of the world, with reference to traditional Pontian music. Since 1992, he has been exploring, playing, teaching and recording a wide range of percussion instruments.     He has composed music for numerous theatrical performances and films, and counts many international partnerships in Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, Spain, Austria, the Netherlands, Turkey, Sweden, Germany, Cyprus, and Egypt. A Latin music aficionado, he is a key member of the “Locos de Atar” orchestra, as well as a skilled Argentina tango dance teacher.     In 2006, he established the “Music Workshop & Tango Room” in Thessaloniki, a space where he can express all his artistic qualities at the fullest.
	Maria Elbrus (Venetikidou)     Maria is a singer, a Lindy Hop dancer and artistic persona of Thessaloniki     She was born in Russia and started her musical journey at a young age. She studied Classical Piano and Phonetics at the State Music School in Russia, earning distinctions at state piano competitions in 1996 and 1997. A resident of Thessaloniki since 1999, she has been singing for numerous music groups and experimented in various genres (funk, soul, bossa nova, pop, swing, trip hop electro and rock), building long lasting and quality bonds within the local music scene.     Maria is also passionate about dance. She has been an active member of the Greek “Lindy Hop” group for several years and now teaches Lindy Hop classes all over the country.     Holder of a University degree in Physics, Maria is currently attending a postgraduate course in "Physics and Material Engineering".