There will be a significant Greek representation at the Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in Basel, Switzerland, in a month from today. In addition to Klavdia, who will compete for Greece in the Second Semi-Final on May 15, there will be another artist of greek origin.
Eirini Damianidou , who participated last year as a performer in Marina Satti’s “Zari” , is participating this year in a different way. Specifically, the choreographer took on the stage performance of Parg , who represents Armenia with the song Survivor .
Shortly before traveling to Basel to conduct final rehearsals with Parg, the choreographer gave our editor Anastasios Pinakoulakis exclusive statements regarding her collaboration with the Armenian artist and her Eurovision experience.
Interview with Eirini Damianidou
OGAE: Eirini, after your participation as a dancer in the Greek participation in 2024, this year we see you in a different role. You took on the stage direction/choreography for the Armenian participation. How did this collaboration come about? How is working with Parg?
Eirini Damianidou: Exactly! At the Armenian national final I was given a lot of space and I am very grateful for that. Parg’s manager, Martin, approached me a few days before their National Final and everything was decided within 5 days. We fit right in with the whole team and working with Parg is always a pleasure. He is a hard worker and listens a lot, he is humble, sweet, kind and he is like a little child. He is also “crazy” like me, so we laugh a lot in rehearsals and the time passes in a pleasant way.
OGAE: Tell us something about Parg that we outsiders don’t know.
Eirini Damianidou: Parg has passion and deep love for what he does. He trusts, listens, tries, works and doesn’t forget to laugh. Something you don’t know is that he studied acting and that he has a weakness for his mom. I feel that during the competition you will understand a lot about him.
OGAE: Will we see the same performance as Depi Evratesil in Basel?
Eirini Damianidou: We are preparing something different for Baisel which we want to represent Parg and his story. He will most likely be alone on stage. Some things are not yet finalized so I will leave them as as surprise for the Second Semi Final.
OGAE: This year, national languages are more present at Eurovision than the last decade. Does the language of a song play a role in its success?
Eirini Damianidou: I feel that if we are talking about the Eurovision context, the success of a song has less to do with the language and more with the statement-message and the overall presence. Many times it can be an advantage to maintain the language of each country. However, on a global scale, outside of Eurovision, I think that we are talking about different sizes when the language is English and different when it is the national language – of course with notable exceptions.
OGAE: What does it mean to you to participate in Eurovision, especially with a foreign delegation?
Eirini Damianidou: Participating in Eurovision is a tremendous experience and a success regardless of the outcome. Having the opportunity to experience it from both the performer’s and the choreographer’s perspective fills me and moves me. Choreographing a foreign mission makes you realize that what you love is magnified. I feel very grateful and full of enthusiasm for it.
Armenia’s running order
As OGAE Greece we would like wish good luck to Parg and Armenia who are competing in the first half of the Second Semi-Final! Specifically, Armenia will appear in 5th place, while Greece in 7th, with Austria in between.
Watch here a video from Parg’s personal tik tok account where he rehearses with Eirini!
@pargmusic I’m passionate when I’m rehearsing for @Eurovision 🤷🏻♂️❤️ #eurovision #eurovision2025 #morenergy #morepassion ♬ original sound – MORE ENERGY 😎
Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest…
- Participating broadcaster: 1TV
- Participations: 16 (13 finals)
- Debut: 2006
- Highest placement: 4th (2008, 2014)
- Lowest placement: 16th in the Semi Final (2019)
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