🇦🇲 You see how I present myself in Eurovision? Very mindful, very demure: Armenia in Eurovision

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It’s no secret that smaller nations often struggle to score big points in Eurovision, but there’s something special about Armenia – they seem to have broken the code (😉😉). While many countries focus on dazzling the audience with elaborate props, fireworks, and flashy dance breaks, Armenia consistently delivers high-quality performances with meticulously planned concepts, down to the smallest detail. Yet, they manage to pull it all off while maintaining a relaxed, laid-back presence – very cutesy, very demure.

From iconic Eurovision sing-alongs like “Qélé, Qélé” and “Jan Jan” to the global success of “Snap“, Armenia has achieved nearly everything in its relatively short Eurovision history – everything, that is, except winning the actual contest 😔. Fans are eagerly anticipating an Armenian victory in the contest, especially since the country has already proven its ability to host Eurovision events, having successfully organized two editions of Junior Eurovision.

Taking the contest by storm 💃

Armenia’s national broadcaster and top artists were eager to make a strong impact on Eurovision from the start. The country made a notable debut in 2006 with André Hovnanyan’s “Without Your Love,” which secured an impressive 8th place in the Grand Final, earning a direct spot in the final of next year Grand Final for Hayko, where he also achieved 8th place.

In 2008, Armenia chose another prominent artist, Sirusho, to represent them in Belgrade. Her Euro-pop hit “Qélé, Qélé” earned Armenia 4th place, a remarkable achievement given the stiff competition from Ukraine’s “Shady Lady” and Greece’s “Secret Combination“.

Armenia continued its strong performance with top 10 finishes from Inga & Anush in 2009 and Eva Rivas in 2010, further cementing its reputation in Eurovision.

However, the streak ended in 2011 when Armenia failed to qualify for the final for the first time. Emmy, who was internally selected after finishing 2nd in the 2010 Armenian National Selection, only managed 12th place in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2011. Following this, Armenia decided to withdraw from the 2012 contest in Azerbaijan, despite initial plans to participate.

Face the Shadows and feel the Love Wave ❤️

In 2013, Armenia shifted from its usual pop and oriental-themed entries to feature the rock band Dorians, who finished 18th in the final. This trend continued in 2014 with Armenia’s first truly conceptual performance, Aram Mp3’s “Not Alone”, which was well-received and secured 4th place with 174 points in the Grand Final.

For the 2015 edition, Armenia introduced a new concept by forming the group Genealogy, composed of singers from the Armenian diaspora, including Inga Arshakyan, who returned after her 2009 appearance. Initially titled “Don’t Deny,” the song was renamed “Face the Shadow” to address concerns about its political messages, with only minor changes to the lyrics.

In 2016, Armenia took its conceptual approach to new heights with Iveta Mukuchyan’s “LoveWave”. The performance was meticulously planned, incorporating precise camera movements and grand pyrotechnics, all delivered by the glamorous and captivating Mukuchyan. “LoveWave” achieved significant success, earning Armenia another top 10 finish.

Genealogy Source: eurovision.tv

2017-2020: Mom, can we have Melodifestivalen? No, we have Melodifestivalen at home.

Armenia decided to return to a National Selection process in 2017, after last hosting one in 2010. During the years between, there were various attempts to find the best artist and song. In 2017, Artsvik won Depi Evratesil, and “Fly with Me” was later chosen for Eurovision. Despite efforts to replicate the success of “LoveWave,” the song only achieved 18th place.

The format of Depi Evratesil was revamped in 2018 to include two semi-finals and a grand final to select both the artist and the song. Sevak Khanagyan won with “Qami“, but he failed to qualify for the Eurovision Grand Final.

In 2019, Armenia opted for an internal selection, bypassing the National Selection process. Despite high expectations, Srbuk’s “Walking Out” did not qualify for the Grand Final.

The final edition of Depi Evratesil occurred in 2020, with a format similar to the 2018 edition. Athena Manoukian won with “Chains on You“. The music video and a revamped version of the song were released on the official Eurovision YouTube channel just days before the EBU announced the cancellation of the 2020 contest due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, Athena did not have the opportunity to compete in Eurovision 2021, as Armenia decided to withdraw from the contest that year.

Losing is the new winning ✨

While Eurovision hits usually come from winners or top scorers, Armenia broke this mold in 2022 with Rosa Linn’s “Snap“. Despite getting only the 20^th place in Eurovision, the song achieved significant global success, going viral on TikTok months after the contest and becoming the fastest Eurovision song to reach half a billion streams on Spotify.

Armenia faced a significant challenge in following up their 2022 success for Eurovision 2023. They embraced high-concept performances again by internally selecting Brunette with the song “Future Lover“. Brunette achieved a better result than Rosa Linn, securing 14th place.

Armenia returned to the top 10 in the latest Eurovision edition with their folk entry, “Jako“. This marked another shift in their typical Eurovision approach, showcasing a departure from their usual styles.

Where to? ✈️

Armenia has consistently demonstrated its ability to make a notable impact on Eurovision, blending high-quality performances with a relaxed presence. While not always achieving top rankings, Armenia has seen significant success with songs like “Snap” showcasing their adaptability and creativity. As they continue to evolve and explore new directions, Armenia remains a fascinating and influential player in the Eurovision landscape.

Category: 📽 History

Adrian Ghita

Digital Content Creator