It was only yesterday that 13-year-old Marine Abrahamyan was allowed to participate in the selection stage of Junior Eurovision. Prior to that, the Armenian organizing committee was giving only one explanation: her song was too serious.
"We examined the contest rules and saw that serious songs have never been forbidden at Junior Eurovision. Any song is allowed, if, of course, it is within the limits of censorship," said Mikael Margaryan, who is Founding Director of Me Prodaction Company and also Marine's producer.
Mikael does not deny the fact that the song is serious, but, according to him, the song of Ukraine's entry this year is just as serious. Taking into account the complaints and resentment of the singer and her producers, the Armenian organinzing committee decided to give Marine a change to display her abilities.
"There was good news. We received a phone call from H1 television channel that Marine Abrahamyan was admitted to the selection stage," the producer said.
Marine has just learned the news. In her words, she has never abandoned hope
"We didn't give up and continued to struggle because I have something to say and I was struggling so that people could listen to me. There are words in my song: stop bombing, stop destruction, I don't want children to suffer from war," the 13-year-old singer said.
Marine and her fans hope that the selection of the Armenian entry to perform at Junior Eurovision will be unbiased.
‘We would like to believe that, nevertheless, we live in a country that is free from discrimination and abuse of power, at least when the matter concerns children," said Ms. Liana Stepanyan, Vice Chairwoman of Talented Generation NGO. Marine Abrahamyan promised that her song will reach people.
