Armenia Releases Eurovision 2015 Entry ‘Don’t Deny’ (Video)

VIENNA, Austria (A.W.)—On March 12, Armenia released its Eurovision 2015 song entry, “Don’t Deny.” Diasporan artists from five continents and one artist from Yerevan will represent Armenia as “Genealogy” in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest taking place in Vienna this May. The song has enraged some in neighboring Azerbaijan, which claims the lyrics contain a political message.

Along with the release of the song and its music video, Inga Arshakian of Armenia was unveiled as the final performer of the group Genealogy. Arshakian joins Stephanie Topalian, Essaï Altounian, Vahe Tilbian, Mary-Jean O’Doherty Vasmatzian, and Tamar Kaprelian, who hail from Europe, Asia, America, Africa, and Australia—and are all of Armenian origin. According to the official website of the Eurovision Song Contest (Eurovision.tv), this is the first time a country is participating with performers from different parts of the world.

Genealogy
‘Genealogy’

The music for “Don’t Deny” was written by award-winning Armenian musician and composer Armen Martirosyan, who also composed Armenia’s entry into the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest, “Apricot Stone.” The lyrics to the song were penned by Inna Mkrtchyan; the music video was directed by renowned Armenian director, Aren Bayadyan.

Since the name of the song was made public, there has been speculation that the title refers to denial of the Armenian Genocide. The genocide began on April 24, 1915; its Centennial is being commemorated this year in communities throughout the world.

France’s entry has also been accused of referring to the Armenian Genocide. The song is entitled, “N’oubliez Pas” (or “Don’t Forget”). According to Eurovision.tv, the song was first performed at a concert in November 2014 at a World War I commemoration event, and “the singer emphasizes that the song refers not only to this very special event in history, but to any kind of conflict.”

Although there has been no explicit mention of the Armenian Genocide from the organizers, Azeri media outlets have accused both Armenia and France of politicizing the music event.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2015 will take place in Vienna from May 19 to 23.

15 Comments

  1. Until azerbaijan and turkey repent for their heinous crimes, they will always run away from the ‘ghosts’ in the closet.

  2. Don’t deny the atrocities that was done to my people it won’t be forgotten even for million years till justice take its place.

  3. Our God is a great God, loving, forgiving when we stop denying the wrong deeds we have committed and repent. However, our God is also
    a God of justice, and we believe that in the end He will judge all.

  4. So very proud of our youth, they did a wonderful job!
    God bless you…no political message here, just sharing of pain and loss. Isn’t that what most songs are about!?!

  5. The lyrics have short identity yet, have to be instigated as some where in the music says ” Pasha don’t deny” as passing the message !

  6. Past in the past. It is better to look future. If we continue to judge history also ond day otherz can judge our history. So it is enough genocide policy…change mind and try to be friend with all neighbours…

    • ‘History,’ funny name for someone who suggests we forget history! This is not a simple question of forgiving and forgetting. It is about the need for an accountability that demonstrates that no life is disposable— in order to prevent others from doing the same.

      If I take the life of your mother, how many years will it take you to forgive and forget? Would you or would you not seek justice? Hundreds of thousands of mothers and children were killed in the genocide like they were worth less than yesterday’s garbage and their ‘histories’ erased like they never existed. If their lives don’t matter, than neither does yours or mine, regardless of any wonderful accomplishments in our ‘history.’

      You reduce life to meaningless existence. Is this what you are suggesting? I don’t suggest vengeance or payment in the form of an eye for an eye— but Turkey must pay for its crimes because life matters, you matter, I matter, and our grandparents mattered. Germany paid for their crimes during the Holocaust and has regained the world’s respect, though I doubt anyone suggests we forget their past lest it happen again. Turkey should do the same and make reparations to the Armenian people, the Armenian nation.

  7. <<>>
    Confront the world…with your crimes…

    Our beautiful six talented singers…
    Will enter Eurovision Island
    From every site that Armenians reached…
    Working hard…Serenading Gomidasian lyrics

    Their Song is “DON’T DENY”….Say yes…
    “you committed genocide against Artful Race
    Who built your palaces… your minarets …
    From there you shouted “Allah Akbar”
    Calling your criminals to arrive slaying Armenians…
    Taking their belonging… their fruits… their lands…
    <<>>

    I hope they will win through their Arts 
    As they’re never born to use scimitars… bombs… guns …
    We will chant with you on your day
    Remembering all Genocided Armenians
    And their offspring …Those … We… are…

    We are here to say “We Still Live… We will live”
    Asking the world… for our rights …
    For our lost lives… our ancient lands….
    Chanting through our vocal cords…
    That are utterly bleeding since a century … and more

    Sylva~MD~Poetry
    March 13, 2015

  8. ~ Confess…Don’t Deny ~
    Confront the world…with your crimes…

    Our beautiful six talented singers…
    Will enter Eurovision Island
    From every site that Armenians reached…
    Working hard…Serenading Gomidasian lyrics

    Their Song is “DON’T DENY”….Say yes…
    “you committed genocide against Artful Race
    Who built your palaces… your minarets …
    From there you shouted “Allah Akbar”
    Calling your criminals to arrive slaying Armenians…
    Taking their belonging… their fruits… their lands…
    Confess…Don’t Deny…!

    I hope they will win through their Arts
    As they’re never born to use scimitars… bombs… guns …
    We will chant with you on your day
    Remembering all Genocided Armenians
    And their offspring …Those … We… are…

    We are here to say “We Still Live… We will live”
    Asking the world… for our rights …
    For our lost lives… our ancient lands….
    Chanting through our vocal cords…
    That are utterly bleeding since a century … and more

    Sylva~MD~Poetry
    March 13, 2015

  9. Bravo, kudos, Vahe jan, we were very happy and touched by your and your Armenian fellow singer friends for your invaluable contribution to the Armenian cause for seeking and demanding humanitarian justice. May the almighty listen to your inspirational and sweet voice and grant you everlasting talent to have your voice heard. Together with your talented friends you made a huge impact and inspired many all around the world, Armenian and non Armenian alike. Being the son of my childhood classmate and from the same country of Ethiopia, I convey you my cheers and congratulations.
    Love,

  10. what a disaster for armenians !!

    how sad!!
    armenians are so in denial that they refuse to go and debate with the turks yet want everyone to listen to nursary rythms about alleged events that they wail and scream about blindly and except themselves !!

    why did the turks do what armeniansay blindly continually profess when any academically trained historians that know the actual accurate facts,and that it was also the armenian hand that rose up in defiance and betrayal in favor of the great enemy of the motherlands which both and many others shared known as turkey !! why do armenians insist that there version is the only and relevant version when we all know armenians are guilty as and did there own bidding not to say that many armenians didnt perish ,the accuracy of events have been inflated and the turks are gaining momemtom and opening there eyes from there sluggishness.

    if armenians want closure ,i can tell you one thing for sure , you aint getting squate from the turks by singing songs advertising negative properganda and contraction celebritis musicians or Hollywood barristers.

    as armenian Etyen Mahçupyan http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etyen_Mah%C3%A7upyan

    says

    FOREIGN POLITICAL INTERVENTION IS NOT APPROPRIATE”

    “These matters are not appropriate matters for foreign political intervention” said Mr Mahcupyan. The ex editor-in-chief of Agos; Armenian community’s daily newspaper in Turkey, did not endorse efforts by the ANC to have these events “recognised” as a genocide by parliaments such as NSW. “Foreign parliaments should not weigh into the debate, either to endorse the view that it was a genocide, or to claim that it was not”, and in that sense Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s letter to ATA-A was very appropriate.

    thankyou

    • Who are you are your the Real Raffi or using Armenian name …?
      We had enough of your names and your tricks…!
      Are you scared to use your name …
      Shame shame if your genes speak humanity …
      Killing children…opening pregnant abdomens by scimitars to know the unborn sex …
      Do you accept all …To which race do you belong …
      What is your Genes …Go and do your DNA and see how many
      Armenian cells you have through the savage rapes…
      Awake we don’t your email …go and write on your site and praise your self that you can write few English words…Denying Genocide…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.