AZERI EUROVISION WIN POSES ARMENIAN DILEMMA
By Samira Ahmedbeyli

Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR)
CAUCASUS REPORTING SERVICE, No. 592
May 24 2011

Both nations uncertain whether Yerevan should send singer to 2012
contest in Baku.

Azerbaijanis and Armenians struggle to find common ground on most
issues. Now Azerbaijan’s victory in the Eurovision Song Contest has
generated a debate in both countries over whether Armenian artists
should go to Baku for next year’s event.

The unexpected victory of “Running Scared” by duo Ell & Nikki – Eldar
Gasimov and Nigar Jamal – sparked two days of wild celebrations in
Azerbaijan. Young people danced in the streets as the police, normally
quick to crack down on public demonstrations of any kind, looked on.

In neighbouring Armenia, where the national contestant disappointed
early expectations and failed to qualify for the finals, Azerbaijan’s
victory caused dismay.

The two countries have never concluded a formal peace deal to end
the war over Nagorny Karabakh which is controlled by Armenians but
is internationally regarded as part of Azerbaijan. That stand-off
complicates the question of whether, politically, Armenia can send a
performer to take part when the 2012 contest is hosted by Azerbaijan,
as this year’s champion.

Asked about Armenian participation at the press conference following
his victory, singer Eldar Gasimov was clear in his support for the
idea, saying, “Culture makes people come together.”

But this opinion was not widely shared back in Azerbaijan, particularly
among the hundreds of thousands of people who had to flee their homes
in the Karabakh war and see little prospect of returning home.

“Our organisation is categorically opposed to all visits to Azerbaijan
by representatives from Armenia – and by Azeris to Armenia as well
– until the territories occupied by Armenians are liberated,” said
Akif Nagi, head of the Karabakh Liberation Organisation. “Europe and
the world must understand and support us on this. Our organisation
will use every permissible means to prevent Armenia participating in
Eurovision-2012. That is absolutely unacceptable.”

Many Armenian commentators were worried about the prevalence of such
views in Azerbaijan, and suggested it would not be safe for performers
to travel there.

The head of Armenian public television – a member of the European
Broadcasting Union which is behind Eurovision – declined to comment
on whether the country would be taking part next year.

In an interview with the Armenian service of Radio Liberty,
Eurovision-2011’s executive director Jon Ola Sand made it clear
Azerbaijan would have no choice in the matter.

“We expect that the hosting country, being a responsible partner of
the European Broadcasting Union, will ensure the security of every
delegation which arrives in Azerbaijan, Baku. And there cannot be
any exceptions,” he said.

Leaders of Azerbaijan’s opposition parties said that under the
circumstances, the country should not make a fuss about hosting
Armenian performers.

Natiq Adilov, spokesman for the Popular Front of Azerbaijan, pointed
out that Baku hosted an Armenian wrestling team two years ago, and
the country’s flag was raised when one of the visiting athletes won
a bronze medal.

The head of the Armenian Church has also visited Baku, where he
offered prayers for peace.

“Azerbaijan has already received military, diplomatic, religious
and sporting delegations from Armenia. Why can’t Armenian cultural
delegates also come here? There’s nothing in this,” Adilov said.

Many Azerbaijanis said the competition should reflect their country’s
tradition of hospitality, and not to rake up old disputes.

“It would be stupid not to host the Armenians,” Aliya Hagverdi, a
30-year-old businesswoman, said. “We must show them our hospitality,
our tolerance, and feed them black caviar and Caspian sturgeon so
that when they go home, they have nothing they can hold against us.”

Others, however, were worried that Armenia might not approach the
event in the same spirit.

“I don’t care whether Armenia takes part in Eurovision-2012 or not.

This event is a much bigger thing than whatever Armenia wants to do
or can do,” Kenan Guluzade, a 35-year-old journalist, said. “But I
am sure that Armenians will play up the issue and lay stress on it,
so everyone is talking about Eurovision and Armenia, rather than
Eurovision in Azerbaijan.”

Samira Ahmedbeyli is an IWPR reporter in Baku.