This is a year of some unpleasant surprises for Armenia. In terms of agriculture, 2010 is the worst in 15 years. Climate factors like freezing cold, incessant rain, hail, and flooding is delaying the spring harvest by nearly one month. Strong humidity is also affecting the fruit trees. As a result, the fruit and vegetable harvest will be drastically reduced, causing prices to escalate. Armenian Minister of Agriculture Gerasim Alaverdyan says the harvest of apricot will, too, be poor this year – down by as much as 45 percent.
Symbolically, the apricot was defeated as well. Although Eva Rivas’ song “Apricot Stone” did not make it into the top three at the Eurovision finals, it’s a tune that we Armenians will continue to cherish. Our hats are off to Germany for winning, and we hope for another great competition between talented musicians next year.