Gohar Gasparyan the Head of Delegation for Armenia has stated that withdrawal from the Junior Eurovision Song Contest is possible.
In an interview News.am at the start of December, Ms Gasparyan revealed that the Armenian delegation is not satisfied with the way the voting was handled at Junior Eurovision 2017. Following the contest Ms Gasparyan posted on her Instagram calling for an investigation into the competition.
At this years contest in Tbilisi, online voting was introduced to the contest enabling anyone in the world to vote for between 3 and 5 songs. Online voting was open from the Friday evening before the show and 5 minutes before the final. The voting then re-opened during the show for 20 minutes, however during the show the voting platform was overwhelmed and crashed.
The EBU stated that over 300,000 votes were revealed from across the globe, however the Armenian Head of Delegation stated that this figure is too small and not representative of the audiences views due to voting being done online. In response to the delegation’s dissatisfaction Ms Gasparyan has stated that the delegation will re-evaluate whether Armenia will continue to participate in Junior Eurovision.
Gohar Gasparyan has been involved in both the Eurovision Song Contest and Junior Eurovision Song Contest for a number of years. In 2011 she was one of two hosts of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and Ian a current member of the Steering Group for the competition.
Armenia was represented by Misha at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Tbilisi. He performed “Boomerang” finishing in sixth place with a total of 148 points.
Armenia in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest
Armenia debuted in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2007, and have had 12 entries to date. The country is one of the most successful in the history of the contest, placing in the top 3 on 7 occasions, and winning once in 2010. Their victory came from Vladimir Arzumanyan with his song “Mama”, which received 120 points. Armenia then went on to host the contest on home soil in Yerevan in 2011. Their debut was almost as successful, as Arevik and her song “Erazanq” was just 1 point off the winning score. Their worst result comes from their 2008 entry “Im Ergi Hnchyune”, sung by Monica Manucharova, which placed 8th overall with 59 points. Armenia has been present at every contest since their debut.
I hope that the EBU looks at the online voting again, it wasnt perfect and it should be a shame if a country like Armenia would not be participating. I hope they keep participating!
Me too. I want Armenia to win next year!
Junior Eurovision was going extremely well until Jon Ula Sand came a long. It’s a shame.
If Armenia withdraws next year, will they return in 2019?
Ohh this was unexpected!
Yep. Definitely unexpected. BTW, here’s a petition I started on Change.org. It’s to make sure Armenia participates at Junior Eurovision next year.
https://www.change.org/p/public-television-company-of-armenia-armenia-to-compete-at-junior-eurovision-song-contest-2018
If you haven’t set up a Change.org account yet, now’s your chance. That way they’ll be more signatures to sign the petition. 🙂
Armenia’s HOD sounded bitter. There’s always room for improvement when it comes to newly implemented changes in the format bu it shouldn’t equate to a full withdrawal.
We better get a new trend going!
#ArmeniaForJuniorEurovision2018
Haha! They must be mad because they couldn’t get their usual Top 3 result. What a Drama Queen seriously..
You’re lucky Armenia didn’t crash out of the Top 10. 🙂
I really hate to say this, however I honesty think (I don’t want this to happen, as I love Jesc as much as Esc) that junior Eurovision is on the verge of dying, like when Jon ola sand came along in 2016 he totally ruined it! I mean 2016 was one of the worst contest’s I loved 2013, 2014,2015 and 2017, however I sadly think 2018 and 2019 will be the last ones. 🙁 I hope this doesn’t happen, but I have that feeling it will happen. 🙁
FYI, Junior Eurovision is NOT on the verge of death, and it’s likely to be a permanent member of the Eurovision event family. Besides, Junior Eurovision makes the year go by quicker. 🙂
I dont think jesc will die or Armenia will withdraw, they are just saying that this voting system isnt fair and should change once again. I hope that jesc 2018 will see a better methode of voting and some countries or return or making their debut. They are making the contest better, but should keep in mind that this is a contest for kids. We as fans should also not forget that!
Don’t worry, Floris. Jon Ola Sand promised to ensure JESC’s longevity. Next to that, I have 100% hope Armenia will continue to participate at the contest. It’d be even better if Armenian wins next year, just like in 2010! 😀