Greek-Armenian Artist Athena Manoukian Vying to Represent Armenia at Eurovision 2025

INTERVIEW: Greek-Armenian singer-songwriter Athena Manoukian is preparing for a major milestone in her career. After years of captivating audiences with her musical talent, she is now set to participate in Depi Evratesil, Armenia's national selection for Eurovision 2025. This competition will determine which of the 12 participants will represent Armenia in the prestigious international song contest in Basel. For Athena, this is an emotional and significant moment, as she shares in an exclusive interview with The Armenian Report.

In the interview, the diasporan-Armenian spoke candidly about her deep connection to Armenia. "I miss Armenia so much," she said, explaining that each visit brings the same strong emotions as the first time she arrived. "It’s always a privilege to represent this beautiful country, and for me, the emotions remain just as powerful. I'm thrilled to present this song."

Her upcoming track, "DaQueenation," was written in 2020, inspired by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on its creation, Athena said, "I went back to the studio with DJ Paco. We wrote the song together, and I remember spending three nights there without sleep. We poured all our emotions about the situation into the track."

From the moment she wrote "DaQueenation," Athena knew it was meant for Eurovision. "I always envisioned it for Eurovision and wouldn’t have released it otherwise," she said. Despite receiving interest from other countries to represent them, Athena’s heart has always been with Armenia. "Armenia is an emotional part of my life," she stated. "It’s where my roots are, and it means everything to me."

Born in Athens, Greece, as part of the Armenian diaspora, Athena spoke about the deep significance of representing Armenia on a global stage. "When I first visited Armenia, I felt something profound—like I was truly home," she shared. "It’s an indescribable feeling, incredibly strong." Her passion for her homeland is evident, and being able to return and represent it means the world to her.

Comparing "DaQueenation" with her 2020 Eurovision entry "Chains On You," Athena described both songs as special, each telling its own story. "Both have their own journey, but 'DaQueenation' is a whole chapter of my life. It holds all my emotions, my struggles, and the lessons I’ve learned—to never fear challenges, to never give up. Your destiny will find you," she said.

While she acknowledges "Chains On You" as a strong Eurovision entry, she emphasized that "DaQueenation" is more personal. "This song represents every part of me. I poured my soul into it," she explained.

As the competition nears, Athena has been deeply immersed in preparations, pushing her energy levels to the limit. "The hardest part is the lack of sleep," she admitted. "Sometimes, functioning becomes difficult, but whenever I find a chance to rest, even for a few minutes, I take it." Despite the exhaustion, she remains focused and determined to give her best performance.

Athena’s message to Armenians everywhere is one of hope and resilience. "Stay positive and believe in yourselves. Believe in your dreams and stay strong," she encouraged. "We’ve been through so much, but we have so much to offer the world. Armenia deserves greater recognition and respect globally, and I will do my best to contribute to that."

The Depi Evratesil 2025 competition, set for February 16, 2025, will feature 12 artists, each vying for the opportunity to represent Armenia at Eurovision. Athena’s song "DaQueenation" serves as her personal anthem, and she is ready to embrace the challenge.

Before concluding, Athena left fans with a final, powerful message: "Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the queenest of them all? Who’s got style, who’s got grace, who’s got the courage to take my place?" A fitting declaration of her determination and ambition as she steps into the spotlight at Depi Evratesil.