Armenia/Azerbaijan – Today the EBU published the official participants list for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. Among the 43 participating countries is Armenia. Even though the Armenian Head of delegation has put the participation in question again today, a participation of the Caucasian country is most likely. First of all we have to say that we are happy Armenia will probably be in Baku as Eurovision should be a festival that brings people (even rivals) together in the spirit of peaceful competition and music.
Constant Problems in Sporting Events
In view of many events concerning the two rival countries Azerbaijan and Armenia, however, we also have to ask ourselves what the Armenian participation could mean for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012. The FIFA has already taken the nacessary actions to prevent a clash of the two countries. Armenia and Azerbaijan have no diplomatic relations after a 1992-1994 war in Nagorno-Karabakh and remain at loggerheads over the status of the region. The two South Caucasus neighbors were drawn together in Euro-2008 qualifying but the matches were never played. FiFA said it would “honor a request by European soccer authorities to keep the former warring neighbors apart when qualifying groups are drawn July 30 in Rio de Janeiro” according to Associated Press.
Attacks With Stones
In October last year, during the Baku-hosted world boxing championship, Armenian boxers were attacked with stones. When an Armenian boxer took the ring, a group of activists from the group “Liberation of Karabakh” attacked the Armenian boxers throwing stones and threatening them saying they should leave Baku. One of the nationalists Akif Nagi said after the incident “We learned that the Armenian boxers were coming to the ring. When we saw them, we started to throw stones, after which we faced resistance by the police”. None of the boxers were injured, but the incident illustrates the difficult security situation Armenian face when entering Azerbaijan.
Under normal circumstances Armenians are not allowed to enter Azerbaijan. Exceptions are only made for international sporting and other events. Whether such a special treatment would only include the Armenian delegation or also Armenian fans is not sure. The constant frictions in sporting events can make us expect the worst for Eurovision however. Constant booing during the Armenian entry will be the least problematic…. Let’s hope everything goes well in May.
To read more about Armenia’s difficult relationship with Azerbaijan go here:
You mean aa Munich 1972?? HOPE NOT!! that will damage Eurovision a lot, if Eurovision dies I DIE!!!
Not as drastic as that.. but booing is 100% sure.. I hope nothing more..
me too
throwing stones??? Now I really think Armenia should withdraw. I think even booing is too much in the ESC, so immature and unprofessional. Like in 2010 when they were all booing at the Russian entry for no reason
I guess the reason for the 2010 booing was that the Russian song was a wee bit too witty for most ESC fans who mainly thrive on schlager, europop and big ballads anyway.
As long as people do not boo during the performances everyone can boo whenever he or she wants … as long as the booing is only based on musical disapproval of course. At least that is how I see it.
I’ve always believed that Armenia should just leave it ’till next year. The situation is currently terrible; I’m aware of the FIFA situation as well, and that was a complete disaster.
I really fear physical harm towards any of the Armenian contestants or any of the crew. Probably not inside the stadium, but I’m doubting a safe journey to it.
Of course, as you said, booing is pretty much 100% – but even this puts me off – simply because it reminds me how the Azeris have censored Armenian voting phone numbers in previous contests and etc.
I generally don’t think there will be a fair game in the stadium, and I fear for the safety of the contestant outside of it. Overall, I don’t think it’s really worth the hassle of bringing a contestant if they’re going to face overwhelming booing, having stuff thrown at them or having their song censored.
On the other hand that could lead to sympathy votes for Armenia… If rumors are true that they are trying to get an internationally successful act.. Armenia may win.. But that would probably be the worst case for security.
I really doubt any sympathy votes would even happen (considering the widespread ignorance and apathy of the situation), let alone would cause Armenia to win, although it’s a good point you are raising.
It doesn’t seem like Armenia to be getting an internationally successful act. Every song I’ve seen has pretty much involved Armenian personnel – although with the travesty that was Bang Bang or whatever was on last year, who knows
. As far as I know, Sirusho is probably the most famous Armenian pop act around the world, but she’s already been on Eurovision, so no international star really pops into my mind.
But yeah you are right, if Armenia win it would pretty much be a lose-lose situation for both Armenians and Azerbaijanis, causing huge tensions both on and off the stage. I also can’t really see the results taking place without huge booing either.
yes pls give us all panic attacks, nightmares, hypertensions and then electro shocks.. we need it!!! ESC is made by big organisation like EBU and we still have to feel unsafe..
I think countries that are engaged in conflict with other countries involved in Eurovision should be banned from hosting.
No nation should have to worry or feel threatened about their safety during a song competition that is just meant to be a bit of fun, nor should they miss out on it because of their fears.
Azerbaijan hasn’t shown anything to suggest that things will change, and I think it will prove to be a mistake by the EBU to let them host.
OMG the melodifestival stage is amasing this years!!!
I love Armenia and am positive that they’ll take part. As far as azeebaijani people are concerned they can’t do any physical harm cos there’s security but also as its against ebu rules and they’ll probly be babes for 3 years necks of previous incidents. So I think it’ll be fine
Hoping for a peaceful contest!
Sometimes, the Armenian side is artificially dramatizing the situation to create the image of the victim. Armenia will be provided with all necessary security measures. In addition, we must not forget that in Baku lives more than one thousand Armenians… If it was so dangerous in Baku, they would not live there.
…I just hope that the Azerbaijans are aware of the fact that if they do cause any harm, damage or anything in the nature to the Armenians, then they will of course face the usual 3 year ban from participating in the contest!!
actually they should have faced it already in my opinion. they didn’t show the number for armenia in 2009 or something like that and they interrogated people who voted for armenia….and nice to see that they dont get a ban for something they actually did and lebanon got a ban for something they just said
Vicky !!! Wake up ! The one thousand you are talking about are comming from the mixed families with modified last names. Not a single person is living in Azerbaijan whose last name is ending with ” Yan” Azerbaijani people are violent . They wouldn’t allow that. You don’t know who you’re dealing with! Blood driven Muslims! Armenia should not even honor them with their presence! Too risky! I like that girl, Lucia Moon, and I feel bad that she has to face this uncivilized croud of people. Just watch what will they do! Won’t be pretty!
You are just racist. It makes me laugh to tears, that a racist like you can accuse others of being racist. That you need to wake up before it’s not too late! You’re stuck in the past! You’re stuck in the Stone Age! The world has changed, nobody believes in your stories except yourself. It’s time of change for you.
I KNOW! WHAT A HELL? AZERIS CHEATED WITH ARMENIAN VOTES AND NOW THEY ARE HOSTING THE EUROVISION WHICH THEY BOUGHT? DID YOU HEAR THE RUNNING SCARED? CAN YOU SING IT ? iIS THAT A HIT IN YOUR OPINION? nOT A SINGLE PERSON CAN EVEN RECALL THIS SONG AND NOW THEY ARE HOSTING? EUROVISION COMMETTEE SHOULD CORRECT THEIR MISTAKE, AND DO SOMETHING, BEFORE IT IS NOT TOO LATE. I CAN SMELL BLOOD! tHESE PEOPLE ARE FANATIC MUSLIMS! WHERE ARE WE GOING? tHEY ARE THROWING STONES AT PERFORMERS ON THE STAGE!
Thank you for a portion of Armenian propaganda. However, you will achieve nothing with your hysteria! And you know it! You don’t have any evidence, but only hysterical attacks. You can’t prove anything, and if you have no facts it’s just blah, blah, blah…
You blamed Azerbaijan for terrible sins, but haven’t provided a single fact. Are you a judge? I think, if you are a supporter of justice, you should start it with yourself. Learn to look at things impartially, putting aside all your phobias which you cannot dissemble!
I feel so sorry for Armenia…why should they be threatened? Azerbaijan should be completley banned..they are so cruel!!
You must receive treatment for stupidity and racism. I feel so sorry for the planet Earth, because it’s inhabited by such stupid fascist as you are.