PARG wants to be Armenia’s champion, and he’s ready to fight for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 crown. He’s heading to Basel with his song ‘SURVIVOR’.

The battle for Eurovision

After choosing their Eurovision songs internally for several years, Armenia settled in for the revived Depi Evratesil, the country’s national selection contest for 2025. Two juries and the public voted for their favourite from 12 incredible acts, and Armenia’s 2023 Eurovision artist Brunette gave a special performance.

PARG, whose real name is Pargev Vardanian, took to the stage to perform SURVIVOR. He was dressed in a very cool-looking one-armed suit of armour (maybe not very practical for actual battles), in front of a broken wall of rock which gradually came together – handy for jumping on top of. Which he did. His pop-rock rhythms were met by explosions of colour and flashing lights, and the Armenian public loved his energy.

The votes came in, and PARG had won the first battle. Next up, the Eurovision Song Contest.

Beneath the armour

PARG comes from the picturesque town of Hayravank in Armenia – which is now likely to be on the travel bucket list of every Eurovision fan who likes a good bit of scenery.

He loves to experiment with different styles, from raw, raspy vocals to hypnotic beats. You can expect folk, electronic, and alternative sounds in his songs, much of which is weaved into SURVIVOR.

He released his debut single in 2021, Ginin u Grely, a song with a laid-back folk-rock sound, and his most recent single Araj was nominated for Best Music Video at the Armenian Music Video Awards.

He’s also recorded covers of Snap , one as an acoustic song, and the other with an electronic beat. The track was originally performed by Rosa Linn at Eurovision 2022, where it finished in 20th place for Armenia. Since then, the song has had incredible success all around the world.

PARG’s most memorable moment as a musician stems from his time in a band, when they were performing their own song in a small bar.

He remembers: “The best part was when the crowd started singing the chorus with us. I realised this is it. I understood that music is what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

The heroes behind the song

PARG has some top talent behind his song SURVIVOR. Joining him on the songwriting team are some brilliant names, including Zurich-based producer and songwriter Benji Alasu, who co-wrote and produced Nemo’s The Code, which won Eurovision 2024 for Switzerland and also claimed the Marcel Bezençon Composer Award.

Swedish songwriters Thomas G:son and Peter Boström (Peter is also a producer) are also on the team, and were co-writers on both of Loreen’s Eurovision-winning hits for Sweden, Euphoria and Tattoo.

As if that wasn’t enough musical genius, Yinon Yahel also joins the team, an Israeli music producer who co-wrote and produced Unicorn for Noa Kirel, which finished in third place for Israel at Eurovision 2023. There’s also Joshua Curran, a Czech-Irish singer-songwriter, who released his debut album in 2024.

Musical warriors

PARG has a huge range of musical influences, which you can hear coming through in his sound.

He’s a big fan of folk music like Mumford & Sons’ Holland Road, Kodaline’s All I Want, and The Lumineers’ Ho Hey. He also loves classic pop and rock and roll, especially Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, and The Beatles’ Help! And She Loves You.

When he gets on the dance floor, he likes to lean into his pop side. He’ll be up and dancing if the DJ plays Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal.

His earliest memory of Eurovision is watching Sirusho perform Qele Qele for Armenia at the 2008 Contest and finishing in 4th place. It was the perfect combination of Armenian folk, pop, and expressive dance.

Parg says: “I remember watching it with my family, and we were all captivated by the energy and emotion of the song. It was such a special moment for us, and it really made me appreciate the power of music to bring people together.”

Into the next battle

This Armenian musician is getting ready for Basel, and he’s expecting a country full of nature and fresh air.

He says: “I’m really looking forward to Eurovision in Switzerland! It’s going to be such a big show, and I’m excited to be part of all the fun and energy!”

Listen out for PARG on the Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast .

You can learn more about PARG from Armenia right here .