Today we will be looking at a few possible artists for a country that makes up half of the most popular, (as well as unnecessary and annoying) rivalry in the Eurovision Song Contest; the land of long haired sirens and apricots, Armenia.
Country: Armenia
Armenia first entered the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006, coming in a very respectable 8th place. Since their debut, Armenia has qualified for the final six out of seven times, missing out in 2011, and withdrawing in 2012. Their highest scoring entry was in 2008 with Sirusho and “Qélé, Qélé”, which came 4th in the final. Their lowest scoring entry was in 2011 with Emmy and “Boom Boom”, which came in 12th place in the semi-final. (However, it was one point away from qualifying.) Armenia withdrew from the 2012 contest in Baku, due to ongoing political conflicts with Azerbaijan, which sometimes even spill out into the contest realm.
Selection Process
Armenia has used varying selection methods in their Eurovision history. In 2006 they used a complete internal selection. In 2007 they used a national final. In 2008 they internally selected Sirusho, but held a final for the song selection. In 2009 they went back to a full national final, continuing that for 2010 as well. In 2011 they reverted back to a song selection final for a pre-determined singer, using that method for the 2013 contest as well. It was reported that in 2012, before they withdrew, Armenia was to internally select a representative artist.
Possible 2014 Entrant
After delving into the music scene in Armenia, I’ve come to the decision that I want a past representative to come back next year for Armenia. At first thought, everyone reading is probably thinking Sirusho, since that appears to be a popular demand from Eurovision fans. But if you are thinking Sirusho, you’re mistaken. I’m thinking of the fabulous family duo of Inga & Anush. The 2009 representatives brought a dance ready folk-pop masterpiece, which sadly was lost in the point vacuum created by Norway that year. They sang in sync, and brought a memorable stage performance, utilizing traditional folk costumes and infusing them with an amazing, modern laser show. They are one of the only duet Eurovision entries that I really enjoyed, and I would love for them to give it another try, hopefully in a year where high value points aren’t almost impossible to get.
Folk pop at its finest! Contemporary beats infused with tradition, I want more and I want it NOW!! Prime example of how a duet should go on the Eurovision stage.
Honorable Mentions
Narine Dovlatyan-Armenian jazz singer who hails from Malishka. Won the “Best New Artist” award at the Armenian National Music Awards in 2012. Her songs give off a distinct “blues club” vibe, classic yet not outdated. Her voice is very sultry as well as sexy, and her status as a relatively new artist would mean a fresh face for Yerevan. A jazz entry would be a very cool new side to Armenia, and I believe with Narine, it would pay off handsomely.
Kim Kardashian– WAIT!! Before you verbally annihilate me for this seemingly blasphemous suggestion, I think of it as a possible JOKE ENTRY! The Kardashians apparently have Armenian heritage, they’ve mentioned it on their television show quite a few times if my memory serves me correctly, and Kim herself has advocated for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. I picture Armenia pulling a “Chiki Chiki” with her just to take the piss out of the contest (and hopefully Azerbaijan, who never seem to try to have fun with their entry), and I think it would be one of the most hilarious things the contest has ever seen! (Aside from the ultimate Eurovision troll, Ms. Silvia Night!)
What do you think? Who could bring glory to Armenia, and maybe give us an apricot themed show in 2015? Or maybe you want to vent about the Kardashian clan? Let us know with a comment below!
Photo: Inga and Anush
Zachary Thomas is Wisconsin-based correspondent for WiwiBloggs.com. Follow him on Twitter @CheerZach. Then follow the team from wiwibloggs.com on Twitter at @wiwibloggs to keep up with the latest Eurovision news and gossip!
ogru olduqlari bes deyil hele utanmaz utanmaz – casdilar……………………..da
There are many Armenian singers who can actually win Eurovision. For starters, Lilit Hovannisyan has taken Armenian showbiz with a storm (check out her hit singles on youtube), Iveta, who also took part in The Voice of Germany (check out Target and Freak), Erik who can sing and dance (armenian JT?)….any many more artists that I think can definitely do well.
Also, Kim Kardashian would be a great representative to send to Eurovision… IN BAKU.
The one person who needs to get back for Armenia is DerHova. Only then it’s virtually certain it will be sucessful.
Zachary Thomas,
How could this be? both of the same note. indeed stolen. are you armenian?
Ayshen, I honestly hear zero similarities between the two songs.
in 2009 Armenian’s song was plagiarism from Azerbaijan. It was really
stealing. ?f you don’t believe in me then just look this video pls http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=yv0MRcdGF6w
Question, has Kim Kardashian ever visited Armenia?
Having her represent Armenia based on talent would be silly, but having her represent Armenia based on what I assume to be loose racial/ethnic ties (and someone please correct me if I’m wrong) would be ridiculous.
Reminds me of the two American siblings who represented Kazakhstan in Figure Skating at the Winter Olympics in 2010 and admitted they had never been there, but would like to visit someday.
The Kardashians will never be able to outtroll Silvia Night. That was epic in a really weird way.
What can I say? I love me a good trash entry between the schlager and ballads! 🙂 Silvia and Dustin make up some good memories! 🙂
Why leave it at Kim? They should send out the whole Kardashian clan. After all Germany sent Dita Von Teese in the past, and the UK almost sent Jordan/Katie Price one year so there is a precedent for sending glamorous women who don’t sing. But seriously you could have Kim, Khloe and the rest dancing out front while Kanye raps away in the background. It would be brilliant!
Brace yourselves…
The comments from Azerbaijan will be coming.
I’ll just pretend I did not see that Kim Kardashian recommendation; the less said about it the better 😛 I loved Inga & Anush and think they could at least equal their tenth place finish if they returned. Narine Dovlatyan is good, but I fear she would suck away what little jazz points there are from Valentina Monetta (assuming the latter is finally permitted to sing in her preferred style) next year. A note on Emmy, am I alone in thinking that any other song she presented that year in the national final would have been amazing at ESC? I… Read more »
Inga and Anush were very underrated, they deserved better in Norway.
Really? Kim Kardashian? That’s a new low.
Inga and Anush are awesome. They were, for sure, one of the best acts Armenia have ever sent. Unlike Sophie and Nodi this year, Inga and Anush’s voices fuse nicely, probably why Georgia, who were tipped to do well this year, didn’t do well, because the voices were so different.
If Inga and Anush return, I will be rooting for them!
how about system of a down and cher? they’ve armenian roots too. btw i no longer as excited as i was towards armenia since 2011. their entries seem to lose some steam now. they used to be so gooooddd.
Just when I thought it was impossible to ever have an ESC act that hits a new low for the show you suggest Kim Kardashian. That would truly be the ultimate trash act.
Sirusho is a great singer and i want to Sirusho come back to eurovision, but if Sirusho don’t represent armenia next year ,armenia can choose other new singers for ex:
Nick Egibyan https://www.facebook.com/NickEgibyan
Iveta Mukuchyan https://www.facebook.com/IvetaMukuchyan
Loosine Aghabekyan and …
Armenia has a great singers who can represent armenia in eurovision 2014 .
i promise you next year armenia will be stronger voice and stronger show and good result