Eurovision Song Contest 2020 | ||||
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Country | ![]() | |||
National selection | ||||
Selection process | Depi Evratesil 2020 | |||
Selection date(s) | 15 February 2020 | |||
Selected entrant | Athena Manoukian | |||
Selected song | "Chains on You" | |||
Selected songwriter(s) |
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Finals performance | ||||
Final result | Contest cancelled | |||
Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest | ||||
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Armenia originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "Chains on You" written by Athena Manoukian and DJ Paco. The song was performed by Athena Manoukian. The Armenian entry for the 2020 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands was selected through the national final Depi Evratesil 2020, organised by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV). The national final took place on 15 February 2020 where twelve entries competed. "Chains on You" performed by Athena Manoukian was selected as the winner following the combination of votes from an international jury, an Armenian jury and a public televote.
Armenia was drawn to compete in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 14 May 2020. However, the contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the 2020 Contest, Armenia had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest thirteen times since its first entry in 2006. [1] Its highest placing in the contest, to this point, has been fourth place, which the nation achieved on two occasions: in 2008 with the song " Qélé, Qélé " performed by Sirusho and in 2014 with the song "Not Alone" performed by Aram Mp3. Armenia had, to this point, failed to qualify to the final on three occasions, in 2011, 2018 and 2019, the latter with the song "Walking Out" performed by Srbuk. The nation briefly withdrew from the contest in 2012 due to long-standing tensions with then host country Azerbaijan. [2]
The Armenian national broadcaster, Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV), broadcasts the event within Armenia and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. AMPTV confirmed their intentions to participate at the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest on 29 October 2019. [3] Armenia has used various methods to select the Armenian entry in the past, such as internal selections and a live televised national final to choose the performer, song or both to compete at Eurovision. Between 2014 and 2016, the broadcaster internally selected both the artist and the song, while the national final Depi Evratesil was organized in 2017 and 2018. The broadcaster opted to internally select the 2019 Armenian entry, however, AMPTV announced on 5 November 2019 that Depi Evratesil would select the Armenian entry for the 2020 contest. [4]
Depi Evratesil 2020 ("Towards Eurovision 2020") was the third edition of the national final Depi Evratesil and selected the Armenian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The competition took place on 15 February 2020 at the AMPTV studios in Yerevan, hosted by Mane Grigoryan and Arman Margaryan. [5] Twelve entries competed and the winner was determined by the combination of votes from international and Armenian jury panels and a public vote. The show was broadcast on Armenia 1 as well as online via the broadcaster's website 1tv.am. [6]
On 5 November 2019, AMPTV announced an online submission period with a deadline of 31 December 2019. Artists were required to be aged at least 16 and are of Armenian citizenship or heritage, and were also required to submit a cover version of another song along with their entry submission. Songwriters worldwide were able to submit songs. [7] [8] The broadcaster received 53 entries at the closing of the deadline. A nine-member jury panel selected twelve entries to proceed to the national final, which were announced on 5 February 2020. [9] The selection jury consisted of Naira Gurjinyan, Anita Hakhverdyan, Lilia Nikoyan, Ruben Babayan, Vardan Hakobyan, Tigran Danielyan, David Tserunyan, Karen Tataryan and Anush Ter-Ghukasyan. [10] Among the competing artists was Vladimir Arzumanyan who won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2010 for Armenia, and Tokionine, who co-wrote the Armenian entry in 2019.
Artist | Song | Songwriter(s) |
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Agop | "Butterflies" | Haik Solar, Arni Rock, Dzovinar Melkom Melkomian |
Arthur Aleq | "Heaven" | Arthur Aleq |
Athena Manoukian | "Chains on You" | Athena Manoukian, DJ Paco |
Erna | "Life Faces" | Zaruhi Petrosyan, Zarine Mkhitaryan |
Eva Rida | "No Love" | Eva Rida |
Gabriel Jeeg | "It's Your Turn" | Gabriel Jeeg, Tigran Atayan |
Hayk Music | "What It Is to Be in Love" | Hayk Music |
Karina Evn | "Why?" | Edward Meison |
Miriam Baghdasaryan | "Run Away" | Dan Cinelli, Miriam Baghdasaryan |
Sergey and Nikolay Harutyunov | "Ha, Take a Step" | Sergey Harutyunov, Nikolay Harutyunov |
Tokionine | "Save Me" | Tokionine, George Brainshaker, Vova Baghmanyan, Suzanne Khanzadyan |
Vladimir Arzumanyan | "What's Going On Mama" | Martin Mirzoyan, Grigor Kyokchyan |
The final took place on 15 February 2020. Twelve entries competed and the winner, "Chains on You" performed by Athena Manoukian, was selected by the combination of votes from a five-member international jury (1/3), a five-member Armenian jury (1/3) and a public vote (1/3). [11] In addition to the performances of the competing entries, the interval acts featured Armenian 2016 Eurovision entrant Iveta Mukuchyan with "Rich Bitch" and "LoveWave", and Armenian 2019 Junior Eurovision entrant Karina Ignatyan with "Colours of Your Dream".
Draw | Artist | Song | Jury | Televote | Total | Place | ||
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Intl. | Armenian | Votes | Points | |||||
1 | Agop | "Butterflies" | 27 | 33 | 111 | 15 | 75 | 10 |
2 | Karina Evn | "Why?" | 30 | 29 | 149 | 25 | 84 | 8 |
3 | Hayk Music | "What It Is to Be in Love" | 27 | 20 | 63 | 10 | 57 | 12 |
4 | Erna | "Life Faces" | 34 | 31 | 1,016 | 55 | 120 | 2 |
5 | Eva Rida | "No Love" | 40 | 39 | 56 | 5 | 84 | 9 |
6 | Athena Manoukian | "Chains on You" | 60 | 58 | 662 | 50 | 168 | 1 |
7 | Gabriel Jeeg | "It’s Your Turn" | 39 | 20 | 490 | 40 | 99 | 5 |
8 | Sergey and Nikolay Harutyunov | "Ha, Take a Step" | 15 | 36 | 619 | 45 | 96 | 7 |
9 | Miriam Baghdasaryan | "Run Away" | 33 | 40 | 440 | 35 | 108 | 4 |
10 | Vladimir Arzumanyan | "What’s Going On Mama" | 27 | 31 | 3,344 | 60 | 118 | 3 |
11 | Arthur Aleq | "Heaven" | 30 | 15 | 135 | 20 | 65 | 11 |
12 | Tokionine | "Save Me" | 28 | 38 | 299 | 30 | 96 | 6 |
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Athena Manoukian filmed the official video for "Chains on You" following her win at Depi Evratesil 2020. Production changes for the song were made by Artem Valter, while the video was directed by Arthur Manukyan and featured fashion designs by Mary Stepanyan and Aram Nikolyan. [12] The video was released via the official Eurovision Song Contest's YouTube channel on 13 March 2020. [13]
According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 28 January 2020, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in. Estonia was placed into the second semi-final, to be held on 14 May 2020, and was scheduled to perform in the second half of the show. [14] However, due to 2019-20 pandemic of Coronavirus, the contest was cancelled.
During the Eurovision Song Celebration YouTube broadcast in place of the semi-finals, it was revealed that Armenia was set to perform in position 14, following the entry from Finland and before the entry from Portugal. [15]
Armenia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 16 times since making its debut in 2006, when André became the first participant representing Armenia and was the first singer from the Caucasus region to compete at Eurovision. Armenia has reached the top 10 on eight occasions, with the country's best result in the contest being two fourth-place finishes, achieved by Sirusho with the song "Qélé, Qélé" (2008), and Aram Mp3 with "Not Alone" (2014). 2011 was the first year that Armenia failed to advance from the semi-final round. This was followed by the country withdrawing from the 2012 contest due to security concerns in the host city, Baku. In 2018 and 2019, Armenia consecutively failed to qualify from the semi-finals for the second and third time respectively. Armenia planned to participate in the 2021 contest but withdrew before selecting an entry. Armenia has qualified for every grand final since it returned in 2022.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 with the song "Anytime You Need" written by Hayko and Karen Kavaleryan. The song was performed by Hayko. The Armenian entry for the 2007 contest in Helsinki, Finland was selected through the national final Evrotesil 2007, organised by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV). The national final and consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten entries competed in each semi-final with three from each semi-final alongside a wildcard qualifying to compete in the final on 25 February 2007. "Anytime You Need" performed by Hayko was selected by a professional jury as the winner.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 with the song "Qélé, Qélé" written by H.A. Der-Hovagimian and Sirusho. The song was performed by Sirusho, who was selected internally by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV) to represent Armenia in the 2008 contest in Belgrade, Serbia. Sirusho's selection as the Armenian artist was announced on 15 November 2007, while the song was selected through a national final, which took place on 8 March 2008 where four songs competed. "Qélé, Qélé" was selected as the winning song after gaining 86.5% of the public televote.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "Jan Jan" written by Avet Barseghyan, Vardan Zadoyan and Mane Hakobyan. The song was performed by the duo Inga and Anush. The Armenian entry for the 2009 contest in Moscow, Russia was selected through the national final Evratesil 2009, organised by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV). The national final took place on 14 February 2009 where twenty-one entries competed. "Jan Jan" performed by Inga and Anush was selected as the winner following the combination of votes from a professional jury and a public televote.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song "Apricot Stone" written by Armen Martirosyan and Karen Kavaleryan. The song was performed by Eva Rivas. The Armenian entry for the 2010 contest in Oslo, Norway was selected through the national final Evrotesil 2010, organised by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV). The national final took place on 14 February 2010 where ten entries competed. "Apricot Stone" performed by Eva Rivas was selected as the winner following the combination of votes from a professional jury and a public televote.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 with the song "Boom Boom" written by Hayk Hovhannisyan, Hayk Harutyunyan and Sosi Khanikyan. The song was performed by Emmy, who was selected internally by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV) to represent Armenia in the 2011 contest in Düsseldorf, Germany. Emmy's selection as the Armenian artist was announced on 11 December 2010, while the song was selected through a national final, which took place on 5 March 2011 where four songs competed. "Boom Boom" was selected as the winning song following the combination of votes from a professional jury and a public televote.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song "Lonely Planet" written by Tony Iommi and Vardan Zadoyan. The song was performed by the band Dorians, which was selected internally by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV) to represent Armenia in the 2013 contest in Malmö, Sweden. In May 2012, Armenia announced that they would be returning to the Eurovision Song Contest after a one-year absence following their withdrawal in 2012 due to tensions with then host country Azerbaijan. Gor Sujyan was announced as the Armenian artist on 22 January 2013, while the song was selected through a national final, which took place on 2 March 2013 where four songs competed. "Lonely Planet" was selected as the winning song following the combination of votes from a professional jury and a public televote. Sujyan later announced that he would perform at the Eurovision Song Contest as a member of Dorians.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with the song "Not Alone" written by Aram Mp3 and Garik Papoyan. The song was performed by Aram Mp3, who was selected internally by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV) to represent Armenia in the 2014 contest in Copenhagen, Denmark. Aram Mp3's selection as the Armenian artist was announced on 31 December 2013, while the song "Not Alone" was later presented to the public on 14 March 2014 during a special presentation programme.
Athena Manoukian is a Greek-Armenian singer and songwriter. She was set to represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "Chains on You" prior to the contest's cancellation.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "LoveWave" written by Lilith Navasardyan, Levon Navasardyan, Iveta Mukuchyan and Stephanie Crutchfield. The song was performed by Iveta Mukuchyan, who was selected internally by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV) to represent Armenia in the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden. Mukuchyan's selection as the Armenian artist was announced on 13 October 2015, while the song "LoveWave" was later presented to the public on 2 March 2016.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "Fly with Me" written by Lilith Navasardyan, Levon Navasardyan, Avet Barseghyan and David Tserunyan. The song was performed by Artsvik, who was selected through the national final Depi Evratesil organised by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV) to represent Armenia in the 2017 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. The national final involved 75 contestants and took place over three months. Two contestants ultimately qualified to compete in the final on 24 December 2016 where a jury panel and a public televote selected Artsvik as the winner. The song "Fly with Me" was selected internally and later presented to the public on 18 March 2017.
Depi Evratesil is an Armenian music entertainment show created by the Armenian broadcaster AMPTV. It was used as the Armenian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Qami" written by Sevak Khanagyan, Anna Danielyan and Viktorya Maloyan. The song was performed by Sevak Khanagyan. The Armenian entry for the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal was selected through the national final Depi Evratesil 2018, organised by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV). The national final and consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten entries competed in each semi-final with the top five from each semi-final qualifying to compete in the final on 25 February 2018. "Qami" performed by Sevak Khanagyan was selected as the winner following the combination of votes from an international jury and a public televote.
Armenia participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2018 which took place on 25 November 2018 in Minsk, Belarus. The Armenian broadcaster Armenian Public Television (ARMTV) is responsible for organising their entry for the contest.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song "Walking Out" written by Lost Capital, tokionine and Garik Papoyan. The song was performed by Srbuk, who was selected internally by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television Company of Armenia (AMPTV) to represent Armenia in the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel. Srbuk's selection as the Armenian artist was announced on 30 November 2018, while the song "Walking Out" was later presented to the public on 10 March 2019.
Armenia participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2019, held in Gliwice, Poland on 24 November 2019. The Armenian broadcaster Armenian Public Television (ARMTV) was responsible for organising their entry for the contest. Karina Ignatyan was chosen with her song "Colours of Your Dream".
"Chains on You" is a song by Greek-Armenian singer Athena Manoukian. It was to represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The song was released as a digital download on 14 February 2020. The song is influenced by R&B and Hip-Hop music and is about individualism, empowerment and sexuality.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, with the song "Snap" performed by Rosa Linn. The internal selection of Rosa Linn as the Armenian artist in the 2022 contest was announced by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV) on 11 March 2022, while the song "Snap" was later presented to the public on 19 March 2022.
Armenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, with the song "Future Lover", written and performed by Brunette. The internal selection of Brunette as the Armenian artist in the 2023 contest was announced by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV) on 1 February 2023, while the song "Future Lover" was later presented to the public on 15 March 2023.
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