The song representing Armenia served as a firm basis for debates in the Homeland, while there many people who simply wanted to represent Armenia with the best song and performer. But the final results of this year’s contest proved that we no longer have to wait for the appreciation of good songs because Europeans are changing their tastes at a rapid pace and it’s not worth appealing to that taste with national songs. The stylish and melodious hits of the past years are in a downfall and the victory of the Finnish “Lordi” rock group was proof of that. The group was the most unusual in its appearance. The sounds of rock, the masks taken from horror movies, the props, hairstyles and special effects were better accepted by everyone and the song received more points than any other performances. So, Europe is tired of pop songs and votes for non-pop songs in the all-pop contest. The Finnish rock group, with their style, the vampires and their terrifying mummies singing amongst the smoke, did more than the other participants who chose to perform romantic, rhythmic songs. Finland won, but didn’t win because it was the best, but because they were different from the rest. Songs about lost loves are out and rock is in. Most Europeans voted against the monotony of the contest performers and not the Finnish rock group. European presses have explained Finland’s victory in a rather interesting way:
“Perhaps people have cast their votes as a sign of protest”.
In any case, Europe made its choice and we Armenians are happy in that we also made a choice, although the “monsters” were not one of the top ten. This means that we don’t have Europe’s taste in music and consider the contest much more serious than necessary. The singers that wished to perform by singing and dancing were placed at the bottom of the list. Russia, Bosnia & Hertzegovina and Sweden made way for the terrifying Finnish whom nobody in Athens has seen without their masks. They were already coming out of their hotel suites with decorated faces and rubber all-over. No matter what they say about how unbiased “EuroVision” was, the important thing is to look at the contest with a little humor. Finland’s victory killed the contest’s stereotype and their “monster” performance was more impressive than any other melancholic performance. Europe is ready for surprises.
If we take out the Finnish hard rock group and the Lithuanians singing about their victory, we can be sure that Armenia had guessed (although a little late) who Europe was going to vote for. We weren’t surprised, but we didn’t fail either because we accepted the rules of the game. Nobody imagined that the rules of the game would change.
The Armenian delegation and the people who were up close with Andre had taken advantage of each opportunity of propagandizing our country and singer. They had tried uniting Armenians everywhere by saying that we are the first to perform in the contest. The large Armenian Diaspora was ready to vote for Armenia and for some of our compatriots living abroad, the fact that Armenia was participating in the contest was much more important than the singer and the song. The Armenians of Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Russia and Greece, who voted for Armenia, were actually voting for their Homeland. This was the most realistic and right kind of propaganda. The quality of the song, the singer, the out-of-tune notes and the nervous dance movements had nothing to do with the voting. Our strong Armenian Diaspora was on our side and it all ended well-we came in eighth. We even had a great feeling of dignity each time we heard the word “Armenia”. I can even say that we were sorry for Armenia (not for Andre and not that we didn’t want to hear the song) and we were attentively waiting for the points. Last year, we were following-up on the “Miss Europe” contest and admiring our beautiful winner. These different kinds of contests serve as a new wave of patriotism for Armenian youth. This is the contemporary yet short-lasting style of patriotism uniting Armenians. It’s no wonder that there were more so many TV viewers watching “EuroVision” this year and soon, all Armenian television networks are going to start a “search for Andre”, get him on set and ask everything they want to know from the eighth place singer. He deserves it. Finland is going to do the same with the Finnish “monsters”. People remember contemporary pop artists as long as they are shown and “EuroVision” is no exception. However, perhaps next year will be an exception and a new style will come up.