Armenia: Athena Manoukian wins Depi Evratesil and ticket to Eurovision 2020
It is decided! Athena Manoukian won Armenia's Depi Evratesil and is ready to fly to Rotterdam in order to represent the country at this year's Eurovision Song Contest
Two years without qualifying surely had Armenia's broadcaster (AMPTV) rethinking their selection process. After the internal selection of Srbuk (2019) that ended up giving the country its lowest ever score in Eurovision, the country announced the return of Depi Evratesil - their national selection.
12 songs were performed but it was Athena Manoukian and the song Chains On You that convinced the public and the jury that it would be the best choice of getting Armenia back to a good Eurovision result.
Depi Evratesil 2020 – Result
The winner was determined by the help of three parts: an international professional jury (33,3%), the public TV jury (33,3%) and the public vote (33,3%).
Athena Manoukian
Athena Manoukian is a Greek singer with Armenian roots.
Born in 1994 (25), her fame beginning takes us back to 2007 when she won a TV show in Greece. One year after she attempted to represent Greece in Junior Eurovision Song Contest but failed to do so.
It was in 2011 that she released her first single "Party Like a Freak" that went on to become a massive hit. Another highlight of Manoukian's career happened in 2017 when she wrote for Helena Paparizou. "Palia Mou Agapi" went on to become a very popular song.
The show
Depi Evratesil was kicked off in a very Eurovision way with the 12 acts being introduced individually and walking down the stage.
Mane Grigoryan and Arman Margaryan were in charge of the show's presentation and didn't take long to introduce the first performer. The 11 remaining acts followed through with minimal breaks in between.
Once the performances were a wrap, the voting lines were opened and Karina Ignatyan who represented Armenia at this year's Junior Eurovision Song Contest performed her entry "Colours Of Your Dream".
Another special guest was Iveta Mukuchyan who performed and obviously didn't leave out her Eurovision song, "LoveWave" (2016). Right before the results were announced, the twelve competing acts gathered on stage once again to perform a rendition of last year's winner "Arcade".
Armenia in Eurovision Song Contest
Armenia has been in Eurovision since 2006, participating 13 times (all the years except 2012), with very good results: 7 out of the 13 times Armenia finished in top-10!
Best results are two fourth positions (2008 and 2014). They have qualified for the Semi-final every year except 2011, 2018 and 2019.
