Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017

Eurovision Song Contest 2017
Country	Armenia
National selection
Selection process	Artist: Depi Evratesil Song: TBA
Selection date(s)	Artist: 10 December 2016
Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2016 • 2017

Armenia will participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. The artist that will represent Armenia in the 2017 contest will be selected through the national final Depi Evratesil (English: Towards Eurovision), organised by the Armenian broadcaster Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV).

Background

Prior to the 2017 Contest, Armenia had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest ten times since its first entry in 2006.^[1] Armenia's highest placing in the contest, to this point, has been fourth place, which the nation achieved on two occasions: in 2008 with the song "Qélé, Qélé" performed by Sirusho and in 2014 with the song "Not Alone" performed by Aram Mp3. Armenia had, to this point, failed to qualify to the final on only one occasion in 2011. The nation briefly withdrew from the contest in 2012 due to long-standing tensions with then host country Azerbaijan.^[2] In 2016, "LoveWave" performed by Iveta Mukuchyan placed seventh in the final.

The Armenian national broadcaster, Public Television of Armenia (AMPTV), broadcasts the event within Armenia and organises the selection process for the nation's entry. AMPTV confirmed their intentions to participate at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest on 30 June 2016.^[3] Armenia has used various methods to select the Armenian entry in the past, such as a live televised national final to choose the performer, song or both to compete at Eurovision. However internal selections have also been held on occasion. After three consecutive years of selecting both the artist and song internally, AMPTV announced that a national final would be organized to select the artist for the 2017 contest.^[3]

Before Eurovision

Depi Evratesil

Depi Evratesil (English: Towards Eurovision) is the national final organised by AMPTV to select the artist that will represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017.^[4] All shows in the competition will be broadcast on Armenia 1.^[5]

Format

The competition compromises of four stages and it is expected to run for three months between October and December 2016.^[4] The winning artist will be determined by a combination of votes from a jury panel and a public SMS vote. Six previous Armenian Eurovision entrants will comprise the jury:^[5]

Competing artists

An online application period was open from 6 July 2016 until 25 August 2016 for interested artists to apply. Eligible applicants were required to be at least 16 years old and either Armenian citizens or of Armenian heritage.^[4]

Teams

     – Eliminated

     – Winner

First Stage: Auditions

Auditions for contestants were held in September and were broadcast during three weeks from 1 October. Hundreds of applicants entered from the US, France, Spain, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Lebanon as well as Armenia. Only 80 of them were shortlisted to join the televised competition. During the auditions each participant had only two minutes to perform and convince the judges that they have to be chosen as Armenia’s delegate at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest. Jury members focused on the vocal capacity of the artist(s), the performance on stage, and the overall impression by the act. If a jury member liked the performance, they pressed the button in front of them. The participants were allowed to continue to the next stage only if more than three judges pressed their buttons.

Second Stage: Judges Selection

The second stage of the project started on October 22, with 37 in the competition. The six judges competed to choose acts for their groups. The judges had the option of pressing their buttons in the last ten seconds of each performance. The first judge to press their button got the artist, with each judge looking for four artists to join their team. If none of the judges press their button, the contestant is eliminated from the competition.

Day 1 (October 22)

Nine artists performed on Day 1.

Day 2 (October 29)

Nine artists performed on Day 2.

• Note 1: According to the rules, all six judges must have four participants in their groups. However, when all participants finished their performances, Essaï had only three, so he was given a chance to choose his final team member from eliminated participants. As a result Marissa was selected as Essaï's fourth team member at the end of the Day 4.

Day 3 (November 5)

Ten artists performed on Day 3.

Day 4 (November 12)

Nine artists performed on Day 4.

Third Stage: One of the Two

The third stage of the project started on November 19. During this round only 24 contestants remain in the competition. The six judges pit two of their own team members to compete against each other. One is saved, the other one is eliminated. Five judges have an opportunity to give one point to their favourite artist. After those votes are made, the team's judge votes by giving three points. To win the battle the participants must receive more points than their opponents.

Day 5 (November 19)

During the fifth day, 12 participants performed; two from each team. Only six artists were given the chance to continue the fight.

Day 6 (November 26)

During the sixth day the remaining six acts performed, two acts from each team. Only six artists were given the chance to continue the fight.

At Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest 2017 will take place at the International Exhibition Centre in Kiev, Ukraine and will consist of two semi-finals on 9 and 11 May and the final on 13 May 2017.^[6] According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big 5" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final.

References

External links

• Official AMPTV Eurovision site
• Official Depi Evratesil Facebook page

Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Participation 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Artists 2000s André Hayko Sirusho Inga and Anush 2010s Eva Rivas Emmy 2012 Dorians Aram Mp3 Genealogy (Essaï Altounian, Tamar Kaprelian, Mary-Jean O'Doherty, Vahe Tilbian, Stephanie Topalian) Iveta Mukuchyan
Songs 2000s "Without Your Love" "Anytime You Need" "Qélé, Qélé" "Jan Jan" 2010s "Apricot Stone" "Boom Boom" 2012 "Lonely Planet" "Not Alone" "Face the Shadow" "LoveWave"
(Note: Entries scored out are when Armenia did not compete)