ARMENIA: NATIONAL FINAL DETAILS ANNOUNCED

esctoday.com
Feb 27 2008
Netherlands

Armenia have chosen Sirusho to represent them in the 2008 Eurovision
Song Contest this year. Following the example of other countries,
Armenia will be holding a national final with a selection of four
and possibly five songs for the public to choose from.

According to Diana Mnatsakanyan, Head of International Relations
Department Public TV Company of Armenia, confirmed to esctoday.com
the details of the country’s national final which is scheduled for 8th
March, 2008 at 21:30 local time, (18:30 CET). The show will be hosted
by Gohar Gasparyan and Felix Khachatryan with Andre and Hayko, the 2006
and 2007 Armenian representatives will be performing as guest stars.

Originally, there are four songs competing for the Armenian ticket
to Belgrade but if Sirusho would like to sing a 5th one, written by
herself, she will be allowed to do so. ARMTV intends to air footage
from the Ukrainian final but that depends on technical issues.

The songs Sirusho will be performing will not be released before
the night of the final as Armenian Television wants the public to
vote the same way the Europeans vote during the actual contest, the
"first impression votes" as she calls them: "It is important to choose
the best song taking into consideration that people in Europe also
vote according to their first impression. When the song is not good
for the first time when people hear it, but it is "not bad" for the
second time we have a completely different picture. So I trust that
this selection will be interestingnot only because of new songs, but
the votes will draw the most realistic picture we want to have. Let’s
see what happens." states Ms Mnatsakanyan.

A very special thank you to Zavo Shegrikyan for his contribution to
the article