Armenia withdraws from Eurovision Song Contest 2021

The number of participating countries has just been reduced from 41 to 40, after Armenia's public broadcaster AMPTV has decided to withdraw from this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam:

– After careful and detailed discussions, the Public Television Company of Armenia has decided to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest 2021, considering the latest events, the shortness of production time as well as other objective reasons that make the proper participation of Armenia at ESC 2021 impossible, says AMPTV in a statement.

No artist or song selected for 2021

Armenia was one of the few countries who hadn't selected artist or song for Eurovision Song Contest 2021. For the cancelled 2020-contest, Athena Manoukian should have competed after winning Depi Evratesil 2020 with the song "Chains On You".

Armenia should have competed in Semi-final 2. This means there will now be 17 countries participating in each Semi-final.

Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, says:

– The EBU community is deeply sorry that AMPTV has decided to withdraw from participating in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. Armenia have a great record at the Eurovision Song Contest and always bring excitement and quality performances to the stage. We understand the reasons for their withdrawal and we will miss their hard working and professional delegation in Rotterdam. We very much hope to welcome Armenia back in 2022.

Armenia also withdrew from Junior Eurovision 2020 due to the introduction of martial law in the region, as a result of the ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan.

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.