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Eurovision 2012


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Poll: Eurovision 2012

Should Armenia take part?

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#1 Nané

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Posted 01 March 2012 - 02:31 PM

As expected, this issue has polarized the public in Armenia.

Does anyone have an opinion?

Here's the song Dorians plans to present.


Edited by Nané, 01 March 2012 - 02:31 PM.


#2 Arpa

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Posted 01 March 2012 - 02:55 PM

As expected, this issue has polarized the public in Armenia.

Does anyone have an opinion?

Here's the song Dorians plans to present.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.c...ed/EoV6BMmbPWE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Yes dear Nane
Where are the Armenian instruments like kamancha, tar, Duduk, dhol and kanon?
Ah! That "keyboard/synthesizer"!!!
Yes, yes vorovizhoum.
When did azvoristan become part of Europe?
Armenia should pull out and stay out of that stupic circus. When is the last time any real Eruropean country like France, Germany. Italy took part in it? All we have seen is furkey and asszeristan.
Is it because now they write their name "azeri" in Latin when a generation ago it was, can you read it? Can they? عظری

Edited by Arpa, 01 March 2012 - 07:24 PM.


#3 Yervant1

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Posted 01 March 2012 - 03:25 PM

I hope Eurovision stops altogether, because it's not about music anymore, not that when it was about music, it was the best kind. It became too political because of countries like Asszeristan, which will stop at nothing in order to hinder Armenia's chances at winning, who knows what will they do when this happens in their country. So I say don't waste your time by going into a predetermined outcome.

#4 Nvard

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Posted 01 March 2012 - 05:31 PM

We should send an Army Choir

#5 Arpa

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Posted 01 March 2012 - 07:23 PM

:P

Edited by Arpa, 01 March 2012 - 07:25 PM.


#6 MosJan

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Posted 02 March 2012 - 12:13 PM

we sould send tatul or Tatul & Vle :)


http://hyeforum.com/...=0

#7 ED

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Posted 02 March 2012 - 03:14 PM

Not to eurovision but to Rock Fest, these guys a are Progresive Rock band, very much like Dream Theater. No originality. neverless great Rock band.

#8 MosJan

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Posted 07 March 2012 - 12:06 PM

Մարտ 07, 2012 | 18:55 <br style="font-family: 'Arian AMU', 'Arial AMU', 'Arial Unicode', 'Tahoma Armenian', Sylfaen, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify; ">Հայաստանի Հանրային հեռուստատեսությունը ներկայացրել է «Եվրատեսիլ-2012»-ից հրաժարվելու դրդապատճառները:

«Հայաստանի հանրային հեռուստաընկերությունը 2006 թվականից ակտիվորեն մասնակցել է «Եվրատեսիլ», իսկ 2007 թվականից «Մանկական Եվրատեսիլ» երգի մրցույթներին` ամեն տարի մասնակից ներկայացնելով Հայաստանից:

2011 թվականի դեկտեմբերին Հայաստանը հյուրընկալեց «Մանկական Եվրատեսիլ» երգի մրցույթը, որն անցավ համերաշխության մթնոլորտում եւ բարձր գնահատականի արժանացավ բոլորի կողմից: Այս տարի առաջին անգամ Հայաստանը մասնակցելու է մայիսին Վիենայում տեղի ունենալիք դասական երաժշտության «Պատանի երաժիշտների Եվրատեսիլ-2012» մրցույթին: Հեռւստաընկերությունն այսուհետեւ նույնպես պատրաստակամ է շարունակել համագործակցությունը Եվրոպական հեռարձակողների միության հետ ընդհանրապես, եւ «Եվրատեսիլի» հետ` մասնավորապես:

Այդուհանդերձ, ափսոսանքով հայտնում ենք, որ Հայաստանի հանրային հեռուստաընկերությունը չի կարող պատվիրակություն ուղարկել Ադրբեջանի մայրաքաղաք Բաքու` 2012 թվականի մայիսին կայանալիք «Եվրատեսիլին» մասնակցելու համար: Թեեւ Ադրբեջանի իշխանություններն անվտանգության երաշխիքներ խոստացան մասնակից բոլոր երկրներին, բայց օրեր առաջ Ադրբեջանի նախագահն այդ երկրներից մեկի համար «բացառություն արեց»` հայտարարելով, թե Ադրբեջանի թիվ մեկ թշնամին աշխարհասփյուռ հայությունն է: Փաստացի կարող ենք արձանագրել, որ «Եվրատեսիլը» հյուրընկալող երկրի նախագահը պաշտոնապես հայտարարում է, որ բոլոր հայերը, այդ թվում նաեւ նրանք, ովքեր ընդգրկված պետք է լինեին «Եվրատեսիլի» պատվիրակության մեջ, Ադրբեջանի թշնամիներն են: Հետեւաբար, որեւէ տրամաբանություն չկա մասնակից ուղարկել մի երկիր, որտեղ նրան դիմավորելու են որպես թշնամու: Սա մեզ համար սկզբունքային խնդիր է:

Համոզված ենք, որ այն մթնոլորտը, որը ձեւավորվել է նմանատիպ եւ այլ հակահայկական հայտարարությունների եւ գործողություններին ֆոնին, չի կարող հավասար պայմաններ ապահովել «Եվրատեսիլին» մասնակցող բոլոր երգիչների համար, ինչը, մեր պատկերացմամբ, մրցույթի հիմնական բաղադրիչներից մեկն է: Մենք հետագայում էլ շարունակելու ենք մասնակցել «Եվրատեսիլին» եւ ներկայացնելու Հայաստանը համաեվրոպական երգի այդ մրցույթին»,- ասված է հայտարարության մեջ:



#9 MosJan

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Posted 07 March 2012 - 12:07 PM

Armenia decides to withdraw from Eurovision 2012


March 07, 2012 | 13:03 <br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Tahoma; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify; ">Armenia will not participate in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Baku this May.

The Armenian Public Television officially informed the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of their withdrawal from the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest on Wednesday, the Eurovision website reports.

“We are truly disappointed by the broadcaster’s decision to withdraw from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest,” said the Contest Executive Supervisor Jon Ola Sand on behalf of the EBU.

“Despite the efforts of the EBU and the Host Broadcaster to ensure a smooth participation for the Armenian delegation in this year’s Contest, circumstances beyond our control lead to this unfortunate decision.”

Consequently, only 42 countries will be represented in Baku.



#10 Nané

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Posted 07 March 2012 - 06:12 PM

Bravo :clap:

#11 Nané

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Posted 08 March 2012 - 06:42 PM

Love love love this ;)



#12 MosJan

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Posted 09 March 2012 - 12:52 PM


Armenia’s Eurovision boycott dashed Karabakh settlement hopes – NYT



PanARMENIAN.Net - Article titled “Armenians Are Shunning Song Contest in Azerbaijan” published by journalist Andrew E. Kramer in The New York Times deems Armenia’s Eurovision 2012 song contest boycott to undermine Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement.

“The greatest cultural chasm evoked by Eurovision, the kitschy pop-song contest, might seem to lie between those who watch it and those who do not, but in fact, behind the boy bands, teenage heartthrobs, novelty acts and sequins lies real-world conflict,” the article reads.

“Armenian’s recent boycott to participate in the contest has dashed hopes that the contest might, improbably, overcome two decades of vendetta and violence in the Caucasus. The two countries fought a war over Nagorno Karabakh that ended in 1994 with a cease-fire, but border skirmishes remain common,” Kramer writes.

“While withdrawing from Eurovision lacks the gravity of walking out of peace talks or the Olympics, it is a negative symbol in a delicate and long-running effort to demilitarize one of the most intractable ethnic conflicts in the former Soviet Union,” the article further reads.

Azerbaijan’s Ell/Nikki duet with Running Scared song won the Eurovision 2011. Italy's Raphael Gualazzi with Madness Of Love song took second place followed by Eric Saade from Sweden.

Armenia’s Emmy was knocked out of Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in the May 10 seminal, although her performance of Boom Boom song was met warmly by the audience at Arena stadium in Dьsseldorf, Germany.

For several months Armenia couldn’t decide on participation in the song contest. Public Television of Armenia demanded safety guarantees for the Armenian delegation from Baku and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

On February 24, Armenian singers refused to participate in Baku-hosted Eurovision 2012 song contest, following the February 23 death of an Armenian soldier in Azeri sniper attack. On March 7, Armenian Public Television officially informed the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of Armenia’s withdrawal from the contest.

42 countries will take part in the contest, each semi-final featuring 18 participants. The final will be held on May 26.



#13 Arpa

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Posted 09 March 2012 - 03:58 PM

Yes, yes!
Another “golden opportunity” lost?

http://hyeforum.com/...showtopic=30389

Who wrote the above article? This author?
http://old.hetq.am/e...ety/akhtamar-3/

What will be next?
Boycotting the seminar of "ermeni tarikhi/history/schmistory" by a ” joint historical commission “ at ankakara universitesi?

Edited by Arpa, 09 March 2012 - 04:55 PM.


#14 MosJan

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Posted 23 May 2012 - 11:10 AM


Protest Song: Armenia’s boycott of Eurovision an unfortunate reflection of regional reality
Un-presidential comments from Azerbaijan’s president and regrettable but predictable behavior by his countrymen have led officials in Yerevan to a decision that places Armenia under a spotlight that has turned its glare from the frivolity of Euro-“culture” and has made politics out of pop.

Armenia’s decision to boycott Eurovision 2012 because the international song competition is being held in Baku, Azerbaijan – while exercising reasonable cautions for security reasons -- appears to be shortsighted, and driven by epidermal emotion rather than careful consideration.

Last week authorities officially pulled Armenia out of the contest, and in so doing risk appearing incapable of distinguishing social competition and war-hungry aggression, from sport and politics.

How great would it have been if Armenia had entered the unfathomably-popular songfest and, by some miracle, have won – or, at least, have placed higher than the enemy host? We won’t know, because in taking their decision to boycott, Armenia has turned Eurovision into “Bakuvision”, giving the enemy camp – to exaggerate the world worth of the competition – a chance to, without contradiction, claim its willingness to have fairly treated the Armenians, had they shown up.

In front of Eurovision’s audience of 100 million viewers, Armenia has retreated, when it might have had a chance to shine, if only morally.

While the timing of the pullout coincides with a repugnant and disturbingly-large anti-Armenian rally attended by Azeris in Istanbul two weeks ago, the trigger of the decision was said to be a statement last week by Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, whose website stated: “Our main enemies are Armenians of the world and the hypocritical and corrupt politicians that they control.” Armenian authorities reacted as if this were news; as if Aliyev had been a pal up until now.

Ever heard of Jesse Owens? If you have, it is not because the son of an Alabama sharecropper and grandson of slaves made his name by boycotting Hitler’s 1936 Olympics, though there was good reason to do so. It is because Jesse Owens, a black man, who knew the dangers he faced by merely showing up in a crowd of fascists, went to Berlin anyway, and during the Games in Hitler’s world arena, won four gold medals in track and field, triumphing over the Fuhrer’s “dominant race”.

Ever heard of Craig Beardsley? Me neither, until I started looking for U.S. athletes who lost their chance at world attention because the United States boycotted the 1980 Olympics and Beardsley was a member of a team that stayed home for political reasons. Within 10 days of when he should have been swimming before the world in Moscow, Beardsley set a world record in the 200-meter butterfly, beating the Moscow Olympic winner’s time by more than a second. Never has a world record been less meaningful. Or more meaningful, for all the wrong reasons.

The United States chose to boycott those Games to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. Did the boycott serve its purpose? Sure it did. “Only” nine years later, Soviet troops pulled out. Guess who was the next super power to invade Afghanistan?

The intended message of the Eurovision boycott -- that Aliyev’s enemy, Armenia, suffers border restrictions and weekly deaths at the hands of the Azeris [met by retaliatory deaths by the Armenians, it should be noted] – is lost because it is aimed at an audience that doesn’t care and even if it did, could offer no remedy.

And even in the bigger picture, as it pertains to Armenia-Karabakh-Azerbaijan issues: Except for pro-forma attention from Washington and Moscow and scattered bits of Europe, nobody knows and fewer care about what goes on in the mountains of a spit of land that is either unheard of or considered an irritant to the outside world. How do you explain the complexities of the tangled issues of Karabakh-Azerbaijan relations, to an audience whose first question is: “Where is Armenia?” You surely don’t make your point by boycotting a song competition in which you’ve never fared better that fourth place anyway.

To be fair: Who of us would want our loved ones subjected to the treatment that might have awaited the Armenian delegation in Baku? Still, in Armenia’s decision to stay away from a silly but wildly-popular cultural stage, it appears that schoolyard insolence gets the better of diplomatic maturity.

The decision, taken in light of other bad-neighbor relations, also negates previous occasions when Armenia has taken the higher moral ground, such as the European Football Championships of 2008, when Armenia guaranteed the safety and gentlemanly reception of an Azeri national team, who, ultimately, took the same decision as now taken by the Armenians over Eurovision.

Hope of better regional relations was at least kindled in 2008, when Armenia hosted Turkey in football. Should Turkey have boycotted? Should Armenia have boycotted the next year’s match in Turkey? Unfortunately politics couldn’t do what sport could, and division again won when the infamous “protocols” soured all efforts of civility on both sides. But for awhile there was believable hope that progress could happen. And when you are this tiny republic in this increasingly tumultuous neighborhood, hope is often as good as it gets. And better, always, than hopelessness.

The boycott of Baku Eurovision falls short and falls flat. Does anybody in Yerevan really think that boycotting Eurovision will serve any purpose that helps build Armenia’s world stature? It might, instead, lead to speculation -- already voiced in the New York Times -- that a collective mentality that can’t broaden its view enough to, literally, raise its voice in a sing-off, has little chance of negotiating the vastly more complex issues that trouble Armenia’s gnarly neighborhood.



#15 MosJan

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Posted 23 May 2012 - 11:12 AM


Eurovision 2012: Armenia Public TV undecided on whether to show song contest from Baku



The final round of Eurovision 2012, which is to take place in Baku on May 26, might be broadcast by Armenian Public Television as a penalty for the withdrawal in order to secure Armenia’s participation in 2013. The head of the Armenian Delegation to Eurovision Gohar Gasparyan said the decision is not final yet.

Gasparyan said moderators have not yet been selected who would host the event should the popular song-contest be broadcast in Armenia. The Armenian audience can watch but not vote for any of the candidates (Armenia lost that right with the withdrawal).

After refusing to provide an entry to Europe’s most popular television show, the state channel has been forced to broadcast all three shows (first semi-final is tonight) live, with no interruptions, in addition to a fine: the Armenian national broadcaster has to pay their regular participation fee, plus an extra 50 percent.

For several months Armenia debated whether it should take part in the contest considering the fact that its enemy Azerbaijan is the host this year. Among the reasons why it shouldn’t were the concerns about the safety of the Armenian delegation, which became more acute after provocative statements by the Azeri president that triggered the withdrawal.





http://www.armeniano...menia_public_tv




#16 MosJan

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Posted 24 May 2012 - 12:03 PM

«Euronews». «Եվրատեսիլ»` քվեարկության մեծ դավադրություն

Մայիս 24, 2012 | 00:09
Այս տարի Բաքվում անցկացվող «Եվրատեսիլ - 2012» -ի նախաշեմին «Euronews»-ը հետազոտել է մրցույթի պատմության ընթացքում միավորները, որոնք երկրները միմյանց շնորհում են:

Ինչպես գրում է «Euronews»-ը, «Եվրատեսիլը» «Եվրատեսիլ» չի լինի առանց ամենամյա մեղադրանքների` «քաղաքական» կամ «փաթեթով» քվեարկությունների մասին, երբ հարեւան, մշակութային նմանություններ ունեցող կամ համակիր երկրներն ավելի բարձր միավորներ են միմյանց տալիս:

Ոմանց քվեարկության գործընթացի կանխատեսելի բնույթը հաճախ աշխուժացնում է. զվարճալի է տեսնել հին դաշինքներին եւ մրցակցող երկրներին երգի մրցույթի ոչ վտանգավոր ասպարեզում: Սակայն հանդիսատեսի մի մասն էլ ասում է, որ իրենց ձանձրացնում եւ նյարդայնացնում է քվեարկության անարդար համակարգը: Քվեարկության կանխատեսելի մոդելը եւ իսկական երաժշտության համար ոչ բավարար գնահատականը վարկաբեկում է մրցույթը, որը, ըստ ոմանց, պետք է բոյկոտել: Մեծ Բրիտանիան, որը ժամանակին «Եվրատեսիլում» առաջատար ուժ էր, տառապում է այն պահից, երբ 1990թ-ից հետո հեռուստաքվեարկության կարգ մտցվեց: Բրիտանական հեռուստատեսության վետերան Թերի Վոգանը, ով տասնամյակներ շարունակ մեկնաբանում էր միրցույթը, հեռացել էր` վրդովմունք հայտնելով «փաթեթային» քվեարկության վերաբերյալ:

Այսպես, ով ում է ավելի շատ ձայն տալիս:

«Եվրատեսիլում» «ամենաշահութաբեր» հարաբերությունները Հունաստանն ու Կիպրոսն ունեն: 1975-2003թվականների ընթացքում հինգ երկիր ամենշատ միավորները տվել է Շվեդիային, դրանք են` Դանիան, Էստոնիան, Իսլանդիան, Լիտվան եւ Նորվեգիան: Բացի այդ, Էստոնիան, Շվեդիան եւ Նորվեգիան Ֆինլադիայի խոշոր ներդրողներից են, իսկ Դանիայի ելույթների ամենաբուռն երկրապագուներից են Իսլանդիան, Նորվեգիան, Շվեդիան, Լատվիան եւ Էստոնիան: Սա մատնացուց է անում «վիկինգների դաշինքի» առկայության մասին: «Բալկանյան դաշինքի» մեջ են մտնում Բոսնիա եւ Հրեցեգովինան, Խորվաթիան, Մակեդոնիան, Սլովակիան եւ Թուրքիան:

Երբ 2004թ-ին մտցվեցին կիսեզրափակիչները, դա մուտք բացեց մայրցամաքի արեւելքում շատ երկրների համար, որոնք նախկինում երբեք չէին մասնակցել մրցույթին, իսկ գոյություն ունեցող դաշինքներն ավելի խոշոր եւ ազդեցիկ դարձան:

Կազմակերպիչները մերժում են այդ մեղադրանքները եւ քվերակություն վերաբերյալ ցանկացած քննադատություն համարում են անհիմն:

Ճիշտ է, արտադաշինքային երկրները եւս հաղթուոմ են, ինչպես եղավ 2010թ-ին Գերմանիայի դեպքում, սակայն դաշինքի մաս լինելն իսկապես օգնում է: Լայնամասշտաբ սփյուռքի առկայությունը եւս չի խանգարի:

Առաջին հերթին, եթե դուք ցանկանում եք հաղթել «Եվրատեսիլում», ողջ Եվրոպայի ժողովրդին պետք է դուր գա ձեր երգը:


Լուրեր Հայաստանից - NEWS.am




#17 Nvard

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Posted 24 May 2012 - 05:13 PM

mi qani lav yerg tesa, bayc 90% zavzakutyun er

#18 MosJan

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Posted 25 May 2012 - 10:56 AM

PanARMENIAN.Net - This year's host city, Baku, has had a makeover but journalists and activists say that under the surface, life is as grim as ever, an article in the Guardian says.

Azerbaijan's hosting of the Eurovision song contest has thrust the oil-rich country into the international spotlight.

The very nature of Eurovision, a kitschy pop spectacle in which competitors representing about 40 countries (of which 26 reach the final) perform a song live on television, is in stark contrast to the grim reality of life in Azerbaijan.

The government has poured millions into the capital, Baku, turning it into a sort of European capital on the Caspian, with grand, illuminated buildings, a tree-lined boardwalk, and even a fleet of London-style cabs to ferry visitors around. Yet beneath its marbled exterior, and just outside the city limits, a different vision emerges – one where journalists are routinely threatened, human rights activists pressured and protesters and bloggers who dare to challenge Aliyev put behind bars, the Guardian says.

According to Amnesty, 16 political prisoners remain behind bars in Azerbaijan. Reporters Without Borders ranks the country near the bottom of its press freedom index, noting the continuing imprisonment of five journalists and one blogger, and the unsolved murder last year of a prominent journalist, Rafig Tagi.

Aliyev has ruled Azerbaijan since 2003, inheriting the mantle from his father, Heydar Aliyev, who died months after giving up power.

The elder Aliyev has since become the subject of a state-sponsored personality cult, lending his name to museums and streets. The airport is named after him, as is an enormous new cultural centre designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid. Posters bearing his image compete with adverts for Burberry and Chanel on Baku's spotless boulevards. There are at least three statues of the late leader in Baku, and dozens around the country.

His son and daughter-in-law, along with their two daughters, have been accused by journalists and activists of ruling the country's politics and economy like a personal fiefdom. A U.S. diplomatic cable written in early 2010 and leaked by WikiLeaks compared the running of Azerbaijan to "the feudalism found in Europe during the middle ages".

The government has gone on the offensive to deny accusations of dictatorship and corruption. "Azerbaijan is not an authoritarian state – we want to prove this to the whole world," said Ali Hasanov, an aide to the president. "Is Ilham Aliyev to be blamed because he is the son of Heydar Aliyev, but got the majority of votes? Is this not democracy?"

With all television channels and most newspapers under the control of the state or members of the president's family, activists argue that it is not a democracy, comparing it to an absolute monarchy instead, The Guardian notes.

Anti-Armenian propaganda and sentiment continues to run high. During the 2009 Eurovision, several Azeris who voted for the Armenian contestant were called in for questioning for posing a "potential security threat" and being "unpatriotic". Armenia is boycotting the contest this year.

Baku city centre has been transformed into a Eurovision playground, with posters advertising the contest adorning every bus, pay phone and several of the city's new skyscrapers.Yet just outside the city centre, far from the oil wealth poured into Baku, lies a land where roads are rarely paved. In the suburb of Balakhani, just 15 miles away, dilapidated houses painted bright pink and blue stand in stark contrast with their corrugated roofs and grim surroundings. Children play in the shadows of oil pumps and black pools filled with rubbish. The sour smell of oil hangs in the air, it says.

With the Eurovision finals nearly upon them, activists find themselves anxious of the government's reaction once the spotlight on the country fades.



#19 MosJan

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Posted 25 May 2012 - 11:02 AM

Մայիս 25, 2012 | 01:08
Հայաստանի հանրային հեռուստատեսությունը տուգանքների չի արժանանա` մայիսի 22-ին եւ 24-ին Բաքվում կայացած «Եվրատեսիլ-2012» երաժշտական մրցույթի կիսաեզրափակիչ փուլերը չցուցադրելու պատճառով: «Եվրատեսիլի» ադմինիստրացիայի ներկայացուցիչ Յաարմո Սիյմը, NEWS.am-ի թղթակցի հարցմանն ի պատասխան, գրել է, որ Հայաստանը միայն պարտավոր է ցուցադրել մայիսի 26-ին կայանալիք եզրափակիչ փուլը:

Իսկ թե ինչու Հայաստանի քաղաքացիները չեն կարող մասնակցել քվեարկությանը, նա դա մեկնաբանել է մեր երկրի` մրցույթին չմասնակցելու հանգամանքով:

Հիշեցնենք, փետրվարի վերջին մի խումբ հայաստանյան երգիչ-երգչուհիներ դիմել էին հանրային հեռուստաընկերությանը` կոչ անելով մասնակից չուղարկել մի երկիր, որը հայտնի է հայերի դեմ կատարած ջարդերով: Հայաստանը հրաժարվել էր մասնակցել «Եվրատեսիլ-2012»-ին եւ այդ մասին ժամանակին չէր հայտնել Եվրոպական հեռարձակողների միությանը, ինչի հետեւանքով էլ արժանացել էր տուգանքի:

«Եվրատեսիլի» ադմինիստրացիայի ներկայացուցիչ Յաարմո Սիյմը, NEWS.am-ի թղթակցի հարցման, հայտնել է մասնակցությունից հրաժարվելու համար Հայաստանը պիտի մուծի մասնակցության վճարի 50%-ը, ինչպես նաեւ մասնակցության վճարը: «Հիմք չկա Հայաստանին արգելելու մասնակցել գալիք տարվա մրցույթին, եթե Հայաստան հանրային հեռուստաընկերությունը հեռարձակի փառատոնը, վճարվի տուգանքը, եւ պահպանվեն եկող տավա մրցույթի կանոնները»,- ասված է հայտարարության մեջ:



#20 MosJan

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Posted 25 May 2012 - 11:06 AM


Why Eurovision song contest should not be held in Azerbaijan
By Maran Turner, Special to CNN updated 5:19 AM EDT, Fri May 25, 2012

Editor's note: Maran Turner is the executive director of Freedom Now, a nonpartisan nongovernmental organization that represents individual prisoners of conscience, including Bakhtiyar Hajiyev.

(CNN) -- For some, this week in Europe will be consumed by a singing contest. Eurovision. A contest where musical ambassadors from all over Europe and beyond come together as an instrument for political jockeying... I mean to showcase their talent in a performance of free expression.

In either case, it makes this year's venue --Azerbaijan -- a controversial one, but also an excellent opportunity for international advocacy to do some good.

Eurovision is a singing contest whereby each country participant, which includes most countries in Europe and others who are members of the Eurovision Broadcasting Union, like Russia and Israel, sends musical acts to a competition that pits country against country.

Posted Image Maran Turner It should be about the performances. But, it isn't. It's European politics at its most flamboyant. And this show has been a curious reflection of regional politics since 1956.

Historically, Eurovision has offered some interesting outlets for citizen voters. Britain received no votes in 2003 after joining the U.S. in invading Iraq. On the other hand, the contest provided for a coalition with encouraging indications in 2007 when Serbia won after it nabbed the support of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovenia.

This year's contest is in Azerbaijan, which is a member of the Eurovision Zone. The venue is a contested one, both when it comes to the country and the actual site for the competition itself. Claims of corruption and political repression plague the Baku government led by President Ilham Aliyev.

Posted ImageEurovision's Azerbaijan dilemma The Aliyev government is especially infamous for corruption, and Transparency International rates it as one of the most corrupt governments in the world. The Aliyev family is reported to have interests in just about every private sector (which does not include oil and gas in the public sector), including telecoms, construction, real estate, aviation, and mineral mines.

Few were surprised to learn recently that the president is profiting off the Eurovision contest. It was recently uncovered by the Organized Crime and Reporting Project in conjunction with Radio Free Europe that his family appears to have a stake in the company actually constructing the venue.

Azerbaijan won the honor of hosting this year's contest in Baku because its singing duo, Eldar & Nigar won with their song, "Running Scared" in 2011. Coincidentally, plenty of people in Azerbaijan are in fact scared. And this reality flies in the face of the polished pro-Western exterior the government transmits to the world.

The, actually very, autocratic government cracks down on any dissent. Some reports indicate that the Azerbaijan government is imprisoning 17 "prisoners of conscience"; others say it is more like 70. These are individuals imprisoned not for a crime but as punishment for their exercise of a fundamental freedom, most often freedom of expression.

On World Press Day earlier this month, Azerbaijan's Ambassador to the United Nations, and current Security Council President, Agshin Mehdiyev told a room of journalists that Azerbaijan has a "free media" and "does not need world press day." People inAzerbaijan tell a different story. And embarrassingly, the ambassador was clearly unaware of the occasion. The month before, an Azerbaijani journalist, Eynulla Fatullayev, had been awarded UNESCO's World Press Freedom Prize.

Eynulla Fatullayev had been unjustly imprisoned in 2007 and released in 2011.

In another attempt to cut off criticism, the Azerbaijan government imprisoned two well known bloggers, Emin Milli and Adnan Hajizade, in 2008. The bloggers' crimes: hooliganism. Their real crime: a video poking fun at the government's recent extravagant payment for donkeys. The two men -- now known as the donkey bloggers -- were released early, after a coordinated international campaign.

Today among these prisoners of conscience is Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, a former student of the Harvard University Kennedy School of Public Policy. After the program, Bakhtiyar went home to Azerbaijan to stand in a parliamentary election. He used his campaign platform to call for an end to government corruption. The government did not appreciate this, and began hassling him about compulsory military service.

The Council of Europe, of which Azerbaijan is a member, has called repeatedly for alternative civil service to be permitted. The government added constitutional language to provide for alternative service, but in practice does not permit alternative service. Despite legal deferments and a plea for alternative civil service, Bakhtiyar was sentenced to two years in prison -- the longest prison term observed for this crime.

With the Azerbaijan government in violation of the Council of Europe, infamous for corruption, notorious for repression against expression, it is indeed ironic that Europe's most beloved singing contest is held in Azerbaijan.

Certainly, the Azerbaijani people are proud of this attention. And they should be.

But, this is not just an opportunity for the Azerbaijani people to shine, Eurovision is also an important opportunity for us all to focus on the host country's government and to demand reform, which to start should be the release of individuals like Bakhtiyar Hajiyev.

The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Maran Turner







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