Our 6 participants have 2 peculiarities in common: the blood flowing through their veins contains the Armenian gene, character and the rich Armenian history.
About the idea and concept
This year’s fantastic slogan of the Eurovision Song Contest inspired us to create the Genealogy. Our 6 participants have 2 peculiarities in common: the blood flowing through their veins contains the Armenian gene, character and the rich Armenian history. And the second peculiarity is music, which, too, unites genetically. We have built a bridge between the past and present, between Armenian genealogy and world music, between Armenia and Eurovision. This is the genealogy of history and music – the tree of life, which, as the logo shows, has deep roots and branches stretching upwards and resembling molecules joining each other. The author of the logo is designer of the Public Television Company Luiza Petrosyan.
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About the participants
Armenians have many talented artists spread worldwide, and every Armenian knows about the unity of Armenia-Diaspora-Artsakh. While realizing the idea and selecting the participants, the main difficulty was choosing a distinct direction, a distinct geography. We started looking for gifted, young and good-looking artists. The initial list was quite long and included about 30 artists. But since Eurovision allows participation of only 6 artists, the Public Television made a strict selection, taking into consideration their capacities of singing live, their style, voice differences and peculiarities.
From the continent of Europe we selected Essaï Altounian, who, besides having a beautiful voice, is also popular in Armenia. Some years ago he participated in one of the music projects of the Public Television, screened a music video dedicated to Yerevan.
There were many participants from the continent of Asia too, but Stephanie Topalian was a revelation for us, as no one had ever heard of her in Armenia. It was very difficult to find her by internet, but destiny makes miracles. Our compatriot, with interesting face features of a Japan-Armenian and with a subtle voice, joined the project, too.
In case of America our choice was easier, as the local Armenian community is large and we recognize everyone to some extent. Our selection stopped on the elegant Tamar Kaprelian, whose name was even actively discussed on social networking sites some years ago within the framework of the Eurovision.
The choice in Africa was not so large, we selected Vahe Tilbian, because he has an experience of singing, mainly comes forth with an orchestra, as well as he is a great patriot and enthusiast.
In Australia we have a splendid singer of the older generation Arax Mansuryan, who advised us to listen to her student, Mary-Jean. We agreed without long considerations, because her powerful voice of an opera singer attracts from the very first moment.
We also needed an artist from Armenia, because the bridge is built just between Armenia and Eurovision. And the singer, who will be revealed by the premiere of the music video, is the center, the genetic link of our “genealogy”. This artist’s voice is powerful and capable of different styles; even in the song the singer seems to be linking the 5 voices.
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About "Don't Deny" song and music video
The song has gone through a stage of internal section. We have cooperated with many Armenian songwriters and lyricists. I was especially pleased with the circumstance that after our success at the previous Eurovision there was a great enthusiasm and a great desire to create a triumphal song. The Public Television selected the joint work of the composer Armen Martirosyan and lyricist Inna Mkrtchyan. This was the very song that was perfectly consistent with the 6 singers, Eurovision format and desired mood.
It was decided to present the song and the music video to the viewer at the same time. We think that this way the song becomes more impressive and the message – more vivid. The song is about universal values, and the message is one – “Happiness is born, when people are united and in solidarity with each other (in family, love and in other relations). Generations change, but genealogy remains. Hence, the values of love and solidarity are permanent”.
The participants paid a short visit to Armenia, recorded the song, were shot in the music video directed by Aren Bayadyan, as well as participated in some original photo shoots, working with stylist Armen Galyan. The music video will be premiered at 18:30 CET (at 21:30 by Armenian time) on March 12 on the First Channel, following the main broadcast of the First Informational, as well as will be presented at the official website of the Eurovision Song Contest – www.eurovision.tv.
