Monday 19 May 2008

Eurovision 2009 - Yerevan, Armenia (!): Go Sirusho! Go Armenia!

I’d love to see Eurovision 2009 in Yerevan, Armenia. For few weeks, Yerevan would become a gay capital of Europe. (Average Armenian perhaps not that aware that one of the most active and influential supporters and fans of the Eurovision song contest are LGBT communities in the continent) For several months at least, Armenia would be in headlines all over the Europe, and its record on gay rights and equality would be scrutinised as never before. And not only gay rights, but human rights in general. Yes, it may sound superficial at first glance, but let’s keep this in mind and reflect it when (if) day comes. Besides, holding Europe-wide event such as Eurovision would be a great exposure to different cultures and free spirit. It would be invaluable to boost tourism in Armenia. And it would be a great fun and celebration of pop music!

And after all, we have our best entry (to date) in Eurovision, and Sirusho is one of the top favourites in online polls and betting agencies, although this may have unexpected side effects too:

Eurovision.tv: At this moment, Armenia is one of the favourites with the bookmakers. Does this fact put some extra pressure on you, or does it make you more confident?

Sirusho: "I don't even want to think about that, because I remember something that happened in 2006: Kate Ryan was leading according to many predictions and odds, but in the end, she didn't even qualify for the final. I don't know what happened - maybe nobody voted for her because everyone thought she would make it to the final anyway? She had a great song, and she had all that the Eurovision Song Contest actually needs. That's why I don't even want to think about that."

My main problem with Sirusho’s performance is that dancing or show part. I am not satisfied with the way it looked during rehearsals. Not that I am against three-male dance show, quite the contrary, but it does not look coherent to me, it does look somehow separate from Sirusho’s performance, and not very impressive on the TV screen. With that song we could have staged much better show than the one I witnessed over rehearsals. That famous Russian who was hired to stage Armenian show did not deliver my expectations, as well as many others'. Let’s hope that during the semi-final it will look different, and camera work will be able to catch Sirusho’s performance at its best.

Other than that, I think vocally Sirusho is doing a great job and on the stage she looks stunning. Fingers crossed for her! Go Sirusho! Go Armenia!

*source of photo - eurovision.tv

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Has Sirusho sung live yet? There has been some concerns expressed that she has so far only mimed during rehearsals. Anyway, regardless, I hope she can pull it off too although I have to be honest and say that I prefer some other entries over hers. Nevertheless, despite not feeling the same about Andre and especially Hayko, I would be very happy if she were to win. I think she's an excellent ambassador for Armenia. I don't care about the politics, I care about how she comes across, and in that she does very well indeed.

artmika said...

Yes she did sing live there, and not once.

Besides, I personally heard her singing live "Qele, Qele". Vocally she has no problem at all. (fingers crossed! it will continue during the semi- and final) My main concern is that dancing bit and camera work to capture her performance well. Hope it will be the case.

Ani said...

Hi Artmika, just passing through quickly ;)

First, congratulations on your blog "birthday"--what a great achievement, and hope there will be many more "birthdays" ahead!

On Eurovision, it's not my kind of music, but you make some good points. So hopefully the contest will be decided on merits and popularity, whatever they may be. More non-Diaspora visitors to Armenia would be a very good thing--after all, if no one visits your home, you never feel the need to clean it up, and you don't notice the mess!

artmika said...

Many thanks, Ani!!! :)

artmika said...

Just saw a video of Sirusho's second (final) rehearsal today before semi-final. Pretty disappointing, especially vocally, which I always considered to be the strongest part in her entry. There was also a lack of upbeat-ness and energy in her performance. May be it's tiredness, may be it's rehearsal thing... but she has to improve it for there to be any hope for success. And I hope her beautiful hair will look accordingly during the semi-final, and will not interfere badly with her performance...

Anyway, judge yourself:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JFP85PqH8Dw

artmika said...

Eurovision: In final, but...<

artmika said...

Thanks to Onnik, here is the link to Reuters report - Gay Serbs find glimmer of hope in Eurovision - which reinforces my points made in this post:

The last time gay men and women took to the streets of Serbia’s capital, they were beaten by nationalist gangs while police looked on.

Seven years after their first and only Pride march, activists now see the glitz, media attention and gay tourists coming to Serbia with the Eurovision Song Contest as a big chance to come out again, louder and more confident than before. More...

artmika said...

My Eurovision 2008 favourites: Armenia, then Portugal and France

artmika said...

Armenia in Eurovision 2008: No. 2 - semifinal, No. 4 - final. Pretty good results!