Armenia, Sevak Khanagyan, 1

There were big ballads and epic stage shows, minimalistic staging and a fainting drag queen. As the dust settled on Armenia’s Depi Evratesil 2018, Sevak Khanagyan emerged victorious with “Qami”.

His song won with both the international jury and the televote. “Qami” becomes the first song sung entirely in Armenian at Eurovision.

Sevak has confirmed to wiwibloggs that the Armenian lyrics of his song will remain for Eurovision. This will make “Qami” the first song with 100% Armenian lyrics to be performed at Eurovision.

Sevak Khanagyan — “Qami” (Interview)

Sevak opened the show with “Qami”, which entered the contest as one of the favourites. The song ranked third with the Wiwi Jury, garnering an average score of 7.46. wiwiblogger Deban had this to say about the song:

“Qami” draws strength from its connection with the forces of nature, and in turn, stirs a powerful emotion. Sevak is an accomplished vocalist with years of televised singing experience both at home and abroad. It is a brave move to sing in Armenian — not many will understand what he’s singing about. However, no one can deny the power and strength of his vocal presence.

Sevak Khanagyan — “Qami”

Nemra finished as overall runner-ups with 18 points with “I’m a Liar”. Amaliya Margaryan finished third with her dramatic ballad on 15 points.

Fan favourite Kamil Show was ranked second by the people of Armenia but was ranked second last by the international juries.

Depi Evratesil 2018 international jury results

Sevak Khanagyan — 12 points
Nemra — 10 points
Amaliya Margaryan — 8 points
Lusine Mardanyan — 7 points
Asmik Shiroyan — 6 points
Mariam — 5 points
Robert Koloyan — 4 points
Gevorg Harutyunyan — 3 points
Kamil Show — 2 points
Mger Armenia — 1 point

Depi Evratesil 2018 televote results

Sevak Khanagyan — 12 points
Kamil Show — 10 points
Nemra — 8 points
Amaliya Margaryan — 7 points
Mger Armenia — 6 points
Gevorg Harutyunyan — 5 points
Mariam — 4 points
Asmik Shiroyan — 3 points
Robert Koloyan — 2 points
Lusine Mardanyan — 1 point

Depi Evratesil 2018 combined results

Sevak Khanagyan — 24 points
Nemra — 18 points
Amaliya Margaryan — 15 points
Kamil Show — 12 points
Mariam — 9 points
Asmik Shiroyan — 9 points
Gevorg Harutyunyan — 8 points
Lusine Mardanyan — 8 points
Mger Armenia — 7 points
Robert Koloyan — 6 points

Tonight’s show also featured a performance by last year’s Depi Evratesil winner, Artsvik. The show was also confirmed to return to help Armenia select its act for Junior Eurovision 2018!

What do you think of the results? How will “Qami” fare at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below!

Click here for more Armenia news

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Curious
Curious
6 years ago

Does anyone know who are these mysterious Jury panel? Is there a link with their names and what points they gave??

Nice
Nice
6 years ago

I think he is quite hot. The song is too repetitive, but I just really like looking at him so it’s all good.

Amor
Amor
6 years ago

You know its funny, even though this song is completely in Armenian (which I like), this song doesn’t register as Armenian to me. it doesn’t have that ethnic, Armenian flavor I love. Even though Armenia has sung in English multiple times in the past their songs always sounded Armenian and had a specific identity and personality. This doesn’t, this sounds like any ballad you can hear on the radio, just sung in Armenian. Anyway, good luck to Sevak!

Artasa
Artasa
6 years ago

The Armenian language possesses all the sounds of the Indo-European languages and there’s absolutely no muscle tension when you pronounce it. It’s a natural language. Since ancient times people have noticed that when Armenian is your native language, you have no difficulty in learning any other languages. It’s kind of all-embracing, and learning it can give a very broad outlook. Perhaps this is also a reason why Armenians are so global. Armenian is not as difficult as it might seem at first. Some people are sometimes just afraid of things they’re not familiar with.

pronunciation
pronunciation
6 years ago
Reply to  Artasa

From what I heard in the NF show, there was some effort needed to pronounce the H sound. Kind of like the Spanish J which can take some effort to pronounce.

Artasa
Artasa
6 years ago
Reply to  pronunciation

Well, in Armenian h sounds exactly like the English h, and it’s even written in the same way (?). The Armenian language is called Hayeren, Armenia is called Hayastan, an Armenian is called Hay (sounds like high, hi). So H is a very important letter in Armenian. Of course, we have sounds that don’t exist in English (and I guess other European languages) like kh, gh, zh, ts and more, and they can be difficult to pronounce for someone who just gets acquainted with Armenian. I used to think that we for example don’t have the French û or ë,… Read more »

pronunciation
pronunciation
6 years ago
Reply to  Artasa

It could be that I was confusing the H with the KH then. There was one sound that sounded like a combination of K and H, like the J for the Spanish. They give the sound an extra push that makes it sound exactly like half-K half-H. It’s impressive how fast and easy they can pronounce it.

Artasa
Artasa
6 years ago
Reply to  pronunciation

Yes, you are right, you meant kh, the first ‘letter and sound’ of Sevak’s last name Khanaghyan. In English it makes two letters, in Armenian it’s just one letter and sound.

He starts the song with that sound, he sings, Khul u hamr en qaminer?…. which means ‘Deaf and mute are the winds’…

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Artasa

No the Spanish J is a normal h!

This kh sound is a different letter altogether in my language(Hindi) and probably Armenian too and the h is a completely different unrelated and distant alphabet! The kh sound is closer to a K than an h

Its the balkan h sound though! Like the way Lea pronounces h in hvala ne

Artasa
Artasa
6 years ago
Reply to  pronunciation

I heard the Spanish J like in Juan and it’s the same sound! Though the Spanish J seemed a bit milder to my ears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDu_rPuORgE
This is some “heavy folk” by Inga and Anush. )))) The song is called ‘Khio khane’ and is all about that sound kh.

Tamar "The Witch"
Tamar "The Witch"
6 years ago

Hey guys, I’m Tamar “The Witch” I buy fake followers on fb and bought fake likes and views on my song called “Poision”, if you don’t believe me you can google me and see I was booted out in the semi finals. Oh just one last point even when one of my colleagues was in final I had to try and take her moment away. I guess you can call me self absorbed, a liar, suffering from bi polar with princple of blaming the world, I call myself an artist on soical media but I have never been able to… Read more »

Kirk
Kirk
6 years ago

?ell me The Witch where did you buy 45000 Spotify listeners for your Posion? Or there is no Spotify in Russia?

Jon Olalala Sand
Jon Olalala Sand
6 years ago

I think that they will translate the song, because it’s really not good this way. The language sounds too harsh for foreign ears. I mean it’s not portuguese or italian or french etc. It just doesn’t work. For now it’s really boring, I couldn’t even listen ’till the end. Good luck with revamp.

LiGhts
LiGhts
6 years ago

I’m Azerbaijani, but I gotta tell, I’m so sick and tired of you guys saying “x language is not italian, portuguese, french and etc”.. They sound good to you just because you are used to hear those languages, they are not that ideal as you claim if you ask me.

Dear Mark
Dear Mark
6 years ago

Hey.., who cares what do you think? Armenians will NOT translate anything and Sevak is going to sing his beautiful ballad in beautiful Armenian, – a language which was spoken in the Ancient World, when no Portuguese, Italian, French.. are existed))
If something doesn’t work with you or something sounds harsh to you IT IS your own problem. Deal with it. Don’t speak for everyone else.

Candy
Candy
6 years ago

I disagree. The more different languages in the contest, the better. Moreover, songs often lose their spark when they are translated.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

I am Portuguese and I couldn’t disagree more. Armenian is a beautiful language. It has s very distinctive musicality, which is really special. Let me tell you, for me Swedish or Norwegian sounded much harsher to my ears, but these countries won singing in their own language. We as ESC fans should cherish this diversity. The problem is that we are too used of English and some other small number of languages….

Honestly
Honestly
6 years ago

I rather listen to a bad Armenian song than an entirely English song with horrible accent and shallow lyrics, which Armenian entries have always been for the last couple of years!

Étoile
Étoile
6 years ago

A beautiful ballad sang in your beautiful language. I’m happy of your choice.

Jak
Jak
6 years ago

He is not very easy on the eyes.The song is avarage.Asmik had the best song

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

Prefer this in English…Too boring

Yulia ftw
Yulia ftw
6 years ago

Kamil is my winner

Alex M
Alex M
6 years ago

Armenian language sounds really good. Idk why it hasn’t been used before.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex M

Armenia’s ESC entries between 2007 and 2009 had a mix of English and Armenian lyrics:

2007: “Anytime You Need” by Hayko (bridge in Armenian)
2008: “Qélé, Qélé” by Sirusho (English lyrics with only the title in Armenian)
2009: “Jan Jan” by Inga and Arnush (parts 1 and 3 in English, part 2 in Armenian)

Kaz
Kaz
6 years ago

Definitely the best. Armenia will once again receive a good position. The song currently 4th with me(I have a defined top 6). Good luck Sevak!!!

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

Armenian TV just released the split voting results for the semi-finals. Tamar came second in the televote gaining 10 points but only received 2 points from the juries and finished 6th. So, clearly, no foul play on part of AMPTV and as some of the crazy people here were claiming. Also, it looks like all of her votes were properly counted.

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Who were those juries? Why didn’t we see them announcing points as they usually do at the other national selections? Don’t you think they may conspire with locals who may affect the former’s decision by their comments? Also, I still believe that the jury have been influenced by the terrible sound which the Public TV did for Tamar. Too many questions answers to which we probably won’t find out. It’s a decision made behind the closed doors.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

@Steve – you seriously need to calm down. Tamar is not a strong vocalist at alllllll. The names of the juries are going to be published along with their respective scores. There’s no foul play here. Strop trying to find reasons other than the fact Tamar did not have a quality song to go to eurovision with.

c'mon man
c'mon man
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

“Tamar did not have a quality song to go to eurovision with.”

Though I remember it was one of your favourites. LOL!

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  c'mon man

@c’mon man – yep. She and Asmik had my favorite songs followed by Kamil, Sevak and Amaliya. But, the fact that I like the songs in that order does not mean I like quality songs. I tend to like the cliche’ dance/pop music which lately has not done well in Eurovision (i.e., Greece 2017). If this was 2008-2011, Tamar and Asmik would finish top 10, but not now.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago

Dennis is that you?

Honestly
Honestly
6 years ago

Wow! The Armenian language sounds so beautiful in this song. Great choice Armenia!

moran
moran
6 years ago
Reply to  Honestly

Maybe to Armenians…To me it sounds harsh

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  moran

I’m not Armenian but the language sounds really beautiful, especially when used in songs.

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

It was how it should be. Sevak was my favourite and clearly the best possible choice in an average NF. I don’t know how the general public will receive it in May, but I can see it placing top 15. The last minute is really powerful and his vocals are on point the entire song. Being Armenia, this is a sure qualifier. Then, in the final, we’ll see.

AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
6 years ago

I’ve heard so many bad comments about this one coming the winner… maybe it is a little generic and I’m not a fan of his voice. But I enjoy the song itself very much, the fact that it goes more and more powerful is a great add. Very good choice for Armenia.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Listening to this for the first time and I enjoyed it. The last minute is very powerful. I hope he keeps it 100% in Armenian.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

I have 100% hope Sevak will keep “Qami” in Armenian. 🙂

Y tho?
Y tho?
6 years ago

Ok-ish. Qualifier, but it will end up in the lower part of scoreboard’s left side. Or high right. Who knows.

Now I’ll be calmly waiting with popcorns for the new wiwipoll and see how it will get overflooded by the armenian votes. They’ll be the new spaniards. MARK MY WORDS.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Y tho?

Anything is better than Tu crapción, so the Armenian spamming is more than welcome!

fan
fan
6 years ago

Just listened to this song again..it is really good and the 3 minutes pass by so quickly…Love it, my favourite at the moment.

Ag
Ag
6 years ago

The best song won, well done.

fan
fan
6 years ago

Good powerful song Armenia well done!!

Jairo
Jairo
6 years ago
Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Jairo

Serbia 21?Armenia 18? and Belarus 9th and Malta 4th. While music taste is an objective matter yours is subjectively BAD

Andrea
Andrea
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

I think you got the terms the other way around. Music taste is subjective.

c'mon man
c'mon man
6 years ago
Reply to  Andrea

He is just upset that he placed his country Armenia that low. LOL

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Lol….when not knowing the meaning of words make a comment much more funnier than it was intended to be.

avner kam
avner kam
6 years ago

Was hoping for some real show (Kamil…), but this is actually a mild fave. Good luck, Armenia.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
6 years ago

I wake up so much happier when countries make good decisions. Excellent news. Come on, Armenia!

Salvadorable
Salvadorable
6 years ago

Perhaps they need to translate the song? I don’t know, I also cannot connect with it. The three minutes felt like six minutes. Neither the song nor the singer interested me. It was kinda boring I have to say. So far it’s one of the weakest entries chosen along with Malta, Montenegro and Belarus IMHO.

Darkpassionplay
Darkpassionplay
6 years ago

Lets keep it real and short , this song is really bad , period …..

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago

Now some fans of a retro radio friendly song with the dancer from Albania 2009 and with Safura’s lighting stairs will start their hate speech against the worthiest winner of the selection. Shame on jurors and voters that didn’t got that fresh air and “avant garde” composition. Shame….

Alex_Lefteris
Alex_Lefteris
6 years ago

Love it! Good luck dear brothers! Greece loves you!

Kamil
Kamil
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex_Lefteris

Nationalist pig

Dimitra
Dimitra
6 years ago

Damn! Is this seriously the best they had? :O This is so uninteresting and boring. Montenegrin ballad sounds much better and that one isn’t good too. It definitely won’t do well.

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago
Reply to  Dimitra

Good for Montenegro!

PP
PP
6 years ago

After 2013, this song from 2018 is second bad choices for Armenia at Eurovision. Boring song. Only thanks to huge diaspora , ex soviet countries in I semi, and expensive staging this song will go to final. In final resul like Armenia result in 2013 ,2015. 2018 from 16 to 18 place.

Kirk
Kirk
6 years ago
Reply to  PP

There is not much friendly countries in semi1 for Armenia. Only Greece and Belgium usually give us high marks.

angela
angela
6 years ago

I really like Sevak!! But please please please fix your hair lol

Rayne
Rayne
6 years ago

I don’t like this at all. I’m sorry, but it’s just boring and he looks scary. :< They should select Asmik.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  Rayne

Asmik is a horrible live Performer, no thanks.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

So you wanna tell me she can sing well?

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

Hopefully Asmik will perform better next year. 🙂

Tedi
Tedi
6 years ago

This song is totally irrelevant to this world and music industry. Extremely boring.

Great choice
Great choice
6 years ago

Sevak is a great choice, i enjoy his singing, but jury was too harsh to Kamil Show. The song was great too.

Kamil, Kamil
Where did you take my warm memories?
Kamil, Kamil
Give me wings to follow you
Kamil

Sevak’s singing always remind about Kamil 🙂

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

Always nice to hear a new langauge in ESC
But the song is the kind of song we have every year in ESC. Dark, gloomy, overtly dramatic, jury-friendly, Nothing new and a safe choice. But it does that very well. And we know juries will like it

Rory
Rory
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

That kind of song finished second last year. 😉

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  Rory

I’m not a fan of Beautiful Mess but I must admit this one nowhere close to that. There is no comparison.

up!
up!
6 years ago

I’m very happy with that! I didn’t expect that to happen, this takes me by surprise. Wow, Armenia goes high on my list with such a beautiful and earthy song…

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago

Good song and great performer! My choice would have been Nemra but I’m kinda ok with Sevak, he was probably my number 2 or 3. I love the fact that it’s in Armenian, I really enjoy this year’s trend of national languages. I like the song but it lacks that hook to catch people. I’m not sure if this can shine among the other songs in Eurovision but it probably will qualify as Armenia usually does.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago
Reply to  Roxy

It’s hardly a trend this year to have national language. it would be if a majority of songs were in national langauge. But they’re not.
Even so, none of them would win. ESC Winners don’t follow the trend, they create the trend. A majority of national language songs would lead to a winner in English.

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Ya maybe the majority will still be in English but at least compared to previous years, we can safe to say national languages are increasing in number. I don’t care if one of them will win the whole thing but still I’m pleased to hear new languages.
But I must add singing in national language doesn’t always mean quality. I’m aware of that.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

From Lisbon 2018 to Yerevan 2019! What a fantastic choice! Finally a song in this beautiful language and by home grown talent. His a great singer and the crescendo of the song is just fantastic. I hope this will place in top 3. It certainly deserves it.

Dew
Dew
6 years ago

Are they gonna hire Sasha Jean Baptiste this year? She can give this song a memorable staging for sure.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

I posted congratulations to Sevak, but the filters deleted it 🙁
Congrats, the best singer won. Not sure about the song yet, but it may grow on me.

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago

Sevak is good vocalists and is in good hands of Armenian Public television who were able to make Artsvik qualify with much more anonymus song. The same bookies predicted that Armenia will win in 2014 and we’ll see how they react when final product Armenia will bring on Eurovision stage. Kami is powerful ballad with some Armenia 2014 vibes performed by a guy who unlike Aram MP3 took part in many contests and was chosen by a contest and who will not make the same mistakes did by Aram MP3. Now Sevak and Armenian team must work, work, work as… Read more »

Yerevan is calling
Yerevan is calling
6 years ago

And Sevak looks better than Aram. Additional plus!

Jane
Jane
6 years ago

Sevak is as ugly as Aram LOL

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago

To me Not Alone is the best Armenian entry ever! Sevak may be a better singer but Aram Mp3 was waaay better than him.

Nate
Nate
6 years ago

Kamil ending 2nd by the televote is my favourite part

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Nate

Conchita was second, too. Now if we have a better drag queen, they easily can reach the top

Dew
Dew
6 years ago

I’m so happy!!! Finally a power ballad!!! Juries will love this!!!!

Eve
Eve
6 years ago

Beautiful song and performance, good luck Armenia!

Steve
Steve
6 years ago

Where can I find the results of Semis?

Edgar
Edgar
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

In the Armenian eurovision page of wikipedia.

Julie L
Julie L
6 years ago

OMG I got goosebumps listening to this. Along with Albania this is my favourite so far and feel it could do very, very well. Great job Armenia better than that noise of Kamil!

Steve
Steve
6 years ago

Happy to see Mger not winning. Sevak is ok, but seems bookies widened the bets for Armenia which is a bad sign. The song needs to be revamped like the UK did last year and it will sounds perfect. No English words, please.

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

@ Steve – Hi Steve

Steve
Steve
6 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Hi Ron, I read your comment where you announced that Tamar was second among televoters and was eliminated by the jury. This means that the jury may have got rid of the best song to open a door for their competitors. We don’t need international jury. Don’t you think?

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  Steve

No. I think Armtv played fair and square and you can be very proud of a great production they put together.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago

One of the worst Armenian entries. Armenia better stays in the semi this year.

Aram Mp3
Aram Mp3
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

You definitely forgot to add “Greetings from Turkey”.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  Aram Mp3

Actually I’m living in Germany, but yeah, greetings from Germany! 🙂

Ron
Ron
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

A Turk living in Germany?

mad-professor
mad-professor
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Last year was worse. I mean, this is awful, but last year was even worse.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  mad-professor

Fly with me was one of the better Armenian entries. It was surely not the best Armenian entry, but I personally like it more than Qami.
Qami is boring af, at least Fly with me was an interesting entry.

Marcelo
Marcelo
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Gosh, Fly with Me was so awful, it was so generic and bland and such a bad choice for Artsvik.