Emmy to represent Armenia at Eurovision Song Contest 2011

December 11, 2010 - 15:46 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Chairman of the Council of the Armenian Public Television and Radio Company (APTRC) Alexan Harutyunyan said that singer Emmy will represent Armenia at Eurovsion Song Contest 2011.

The APTRC Art Council decided to choose a song this year, but not a singer for participation in the contest, what does not contradict the contest criteria, Harutyunyan told a press conference on December 11.

Harutyunyan reminded that another two singers Andre and Sirusho were selected for participation in the contest the same way.

“The Art Council will launch acceptance of songs starting from today, however, criteria for songs and deadlines will be presented later,” said Harutyunyan, adding that the selected songs will be presented in the finals of the national contest, during which TV audience will choose the song to be represented by the singer at Eurovision.

Alexan Harutyunyan said that Emmy has been ready to represent the country at the contest long ago.

During the national contest of 2010 Eurovision, Eva Rivas and duet of Emmy and Mihran basically rivaled for representing Armenia. Based on the contest results, Eva Rivas was announced the winner with Apricot Stone song. However, Emmy’s team has not agreed with the contest results.

Emmy stated at that time that she is offended by Alexander Harutyunyan, who promised her victory, and that she does not want to participate in Eurovision. “I must have been very offended and could say such things in turmoil. However, if I am here, everything is in the past. Besides, I like Germany more,” she said.

Referring to her activity abroad, Emmy said that she has returned to the Motherland not empty-handed. “I will give solo concerts in Yerevan on January 30 and 31, besides, my new video clip will be broadcast soon,” the singer said.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2011will be the 56th annual Eurovision Song Contest. It will take place in Dusseldorf, Germany, following Germany's win in the 2010 Contest with Lena Meyer-Landrut’s song “Satellite.” The contest will be held in Düsseldorf's Esprit Arena, which beat out three challenging venue locations across Germany in a bidding phase in late 2010. The dates set for the two semi-finals are 10 May and 12 May 2011, with the final planned for the evening of 14 May 2011. So far, forty-one countries have confirmed their participation in the contest. Returns include Austria which last participated in 2007, Italy which last participated in 1997, and San Marino which last participated in 2008.