YEREVAN (Public Radio of Armenia) — The duo Ladaniva has been selected to represent Armenia at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in May.
Ladaniva is made up of Armenian vocalist Jaklin Baghdasaryan and French multi-instrumentalist Louis Thomas. With their music, the pair embody a vibrant blend of Armenian folk with global musical influences.
Their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest will be released in the coming days.
From traditional Balkan melodies to the rhythms of maloya, jazz and reggae, the duo’s songs have been said to transcend borders, blending traditional Armenian tunes with inspirations drawn from their extensive travels across Latin America, Africa and Reunion Island. Ladaniva’s music is a reflection of their diverse backgrounds and insatiable curiosity for world cultures.
The name Ladaniva has been inspired by an off-road retro car brand, symbolizing the band’s adventurous spirit and their journey through different cultures and traditions. Jaklin and Louis accidentally found out that both of their fathers owned the same car while living in Armenia and France, and ‘voilà’ – they had their band name.
As Jaklin explains: “The Lada Niva is a car that goes anywhere and climbs undiscovered heights, just like we do in our band. We’re excited for this opportunity and ready to spice up Eurovision 2024 with our musical diversity.”
