Armenia places 2nd at Junior Eurovision 2009

Published: Friday November 27, 2009

Stunning audiences with her charismatic personality and amazing vocals, Luara became an automatic favorite. ITAR-TASS/Photolure.

Luara Hayrapetyan performing in Armenia. Melik Baghdasaryan / Photolure.

Kiev - Eleven-year-old Luara Hayrapetyan, representing Armenia at this year's Junior Eurovision, won second place with her original song, "Barcelona." The competition was held in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, on November 21 with the participation of young musicians from 13 countries (Armenia, Russia, Georgia, Belarus, Ukraine, Cyprus, Macedonia, Malta, Romania, Serbia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Belgium).

Ralph Macembakh of the Netherlands came in first with 122 points for his song, "Click, Clack." Luara, with 116 points, shares second place with Russian Ekaterina Ryabova, who sang a song titled, "Little Prince."

Armenia received the highest possible points (12) from Georgia, Russia, and Cyprus, ten points from Belgium, Ukraine, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Armenian audiences gave 12 points to the Ukrainian representative Andranik ­Alexanyan, ten points to Russia, and eight points to the Netherlands.

Luara wrote the lyrics and composed the music for her song. Born in Astrakhan, Russia, Luara has been studying vocals and attending ballroom dancing classes from the age of four. When she was seven, she entered a music school and currently studies at a children's pop music studio, Vesnushki of Astrakhangasprom Cultural Center, where she is the lead soloist.

She has been participating in a number of contests and festivals since she was five and has represented both Russia and Armenia.

Luara has already recorded four albums, Pochemuchka, Krasnaya Shapochka, Sokhrani, and Shokoladka, and several music videos. She dreams of becoming a jazz singer and considers Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and Liza Minelli among her idols.

Luara's favorite quote is Mark Twain's, "When in doubt - tell the truth," and her favorite book is The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Luara and her brother are huge soccer fans, playing soccer on the grass in the yard with their friends. During the Manchester United vs Barcelona game, their whole family was watching the game and when Barcelona scored they all jumped up shouting "Goal, Barcelona!" and this became the main theme for her song.

Following the competition, Luara Hayrapetyan came to Armenia and met with Diaspora Minister Hranush Hakobyan. The minister said that the diaspora had fully supported her performance and that she had represented Armenia with great courage and honor. Luara said that representing Armenia at the Junior Eurovision was a great responsibility and an amazing experience for her and that she was pleased with the outcome.