Armenia: Eurovision Hopefuls · Global Voices
Onnik Krikorian

Although considered by most viewers in Europe as somewhat of a joke, there is no doubt that the Eurovision international song contest is taken very seriously indeed in the South Caucasus. Seen as a perfect opportunity to showcase national culture and identity, many in Armenia are already impatient to discover who will represent them at the contest to be held in Moscow in May.
One possibility is that local singers Inga and Anush will represent the country and they already have a Facebook group set up to support their bid. However, The Armenian Observer is not impressed.
As I can’t stand these girls whining and barking, pretending to be singing, I kept postponing posting about this, however, having received an invitation to join a Facebook group supporting the girls at Eurovision, I came to understand, that like it or not, they will be representing Armenia and I’ll be supporting Armenia – despite this obviously poor choice. After all – Eurovision is strangely enough, a really big thing in Armenia, and there aren’t very many alternatives to them either. […]
Others, however, feel differently. Unzipped: Gay Armenia, for example, hopes the two singers will be chosen at the national draw on Saturday.
Inga and Anush Arshakyans revealed that they will perform song “Gutan” as Armenia entry in Eurovision 2009. Of course, if they are chosen to do so during the final selection on 14 February. […] They are talented, have good voice and performance skills. They are not boring, and different in a nice way. And I quite liked their song “Gutan” – mixed folk song. Not bad. Not bad at all. Quite good, actually. Go Inga and Anush!
Real Armenia agrees.
[…] my vote goes for Inga and Anush Arshakyan!!!
Arshakyan initially started with the Armenian State Song Theatre and later presented Armenian ethno-folk songs in modern arrangements. The music saves the traditional melodies and adds a beautiful modern twist to them.
In five days time, the choice will be made and Armenians at home as well as abroad will be preoccupied with very little else.