INTRODUCING THE 2009 ENTRIES: ARMENIA
esctoday.com
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March 25 2009
All entries in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest are known, but the
actual contest is still two months away. As a warm-up, we introduce
one of the entries every day in random order. Part ten is dedicated
to the entry from Armenia.
Basic information
Performers: Inga & Anush
Song: Jan jan (My dear)
Language: English and Armenian
Music: Mane Akopyan
Lyrics: Avet Barseghyan, Vardan Zadoyan
Draw: 6th in the first semi final
The song
Jan jan is a folkloristic up-tempo dance song. The lyrics are an
invitation to dance the Nor par, a dance that is supposed to spread
hopes for a new and better life:
Can’t you see?
We aren’t free Fixed like a tree To the holy ground With my sound I’ll
be always around I wanna dance, don’t you stand Sister, give me hand
Everybody move your body We are dancing nor par
The singers
The sisters Inga and Anush Arshakyan are both graduates of the
S. Aslamazyan music school. Inga studied violin and jazz singing and
she has laso worked as a violinist for a well-known orchestra. Her
sister Anush majored in piano, but she also studied jazz singing. In
1994, she had already been the winner of a music contest in Omsk and
she would also perform with the philharmonic orchestra of Armenia.
As a duo, the sisters started their career in 2000 by entering the
National Song Theater of Armenia. Ever since they have enjoyed
a successful career with many concerts around Europe and the
USA. Nowadays they are said to be the most popular folk singers
in Armenia.
In 2009, they entered the Armenian national final for the Eurovision
Song Contest and won it making them the first duo to represent
Armenia. Later, it was announced that the famous Russian trio Fresh
Art is working with the sisters to develop the stage image and the
performance for Moscow.
You can find new pictures from the photo session with Fresh Art here.
The national selection
Armenia hold a classic national final this year. On a Saturday evening,
21 acts performed one song each and the winner was chosen by a mix
of jury voting and televoting. Inga & Anush were the favourites of
both and could win the national final ahead of Mher and Dorians.
Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Armenia took part in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time
in 2006 and has become one of the most successful countries since
finishing eighth twice and fourth once last year. Remarkably, 2009
will mark the third year in a row the Armenian entry will be performed
in English and the national language.