Road to Basel: Armenia
Road to Basel: Armenia! As the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Today, we focus on Armenia.
Parg
Pargev Vardanyan, known professionally as Parg, is an Armenian singer-songwriter born in Hayravank, Gegharkunik Province, in 1994 or 1995. His early musical experiences included singing in a church choir until the age of six. Later, he moved to Volgograd, Russia, where he studied at the Volgograd State Institute of Theater and Cinema, earning a degree in Theater Arts and Acting. During his time in Russia, Parg co-founded the band The Edge Chronicles, which performed across Armenia, Russia, Georgia, and Ukraine between 2017 and 2019. In 2022, he returned to Armenia and launched his solo career, releasing singles such as “Ginin u grely” and “Araj,” the latter earning a nomination for Best Music Video at the Armenian Music Awards. He has also collaborated with artists like Brunette and covered songs by Rosa Linn. ​
“Survivor” (What does AI say?)
Parg’s Eurovision entry, “Survivor,” is a pop song co-written by Parg himself alongside Alex Wilke, Armen Paul, Benjamin Alasu, Eva Voskanian, Jon Aljidi, Joshua Curran, Martin Mooradian, Peter Boström, and Thomas G:son. The song was released on 21 March 2025 and showcases a blend of contemporary pop elements with emotive lyrics, reflecting themes of resilience and personal strength. ​
National Selection Process
Armenia’s national broadcaster, AMPTV, organized Depi Evratesil 2025 to select its Eurovision entry. The competition took place on 16 February 2025 at the Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex in Yerevan, featuring twelve acts. Parg’s “Survivor” was revealed on 9 February 2025. In the final, the winner was determined by a combination of votes from an international jury, a national jury, and a public televote. Parg received the second most points from both juries and secured first place in the televote, ultimately winning the competition and earning the right to represent Armenia in Basel.Â
- Parg, “Survivor“
- Simon, “Ay paparey bye“
- Athena Manoukian, “Daqueenation“
- Anahit Hakobyan & Gasoiia, “Wild“
- Anahit Adamyan, “Tiny Little Boo“
- Mels, “Losing“
- Gevorg Harutyunyan, “Hey Man“
- Flora Bichakhchyan, “Prayer“
- Milena Mirijanyan, “Romantic Net“
- Arsen feat. Kamil, “Will You Marry Me?“
- Altsight, “Dare to Dream“
- Sevagir, “Falling“
Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Armenia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 15 times since its debut in 2006. The country achieved its best results with fourth-place finishes in 2008, with Sirusho‘s “QĂ©lĂ©, QĂ©lĂ©,” and in 2014, with Aram Mp3‘s “Not Alone.” After withdrawing from the contest in 2021, Armenia returned in 2022 with Rosa Linn’s “Snap,” which, while placing 20th in the final, gained significant popularity post-contest. ​
A Random Armenian Entry
Reflecting on Armenia’s Eurovision history, random.org chose 2009, when Inga and Anush represented the country with the song “Jan Jan”. In traditional Armenian clothes they reached a 10th place. Inga returned to Eurovision in 2015 with the group Genealogy.
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Betting Odds
As of now, Parg’s “Survivor” is currently in 33rd place in order to win the Eurovision Song Contest this year. In the odds for the 2nd semifinal, Parg has a 13th place. A tough job to reach the final, but yet not impossible!​
We eagerly await the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel and look forward to witnessing Parg’s performance on the grand stage.
