By Ruzanna Khachatrian
An 18-year-old Armenian woman is guaranteed to receive a hero’s welcome at home after finishing second in Europe’s most glamorous beauty contest broadcast live to more than 50 countries over the weekend. Lusine Tovmasian, who was crowned Miss Armenia in 2003, fell just short of the title of Miss Europe 2005 which was awarded by to Germany’s Shermine Shahrivar. The dark-haired Miss Germany is a 22-year-old of Iranian origin.
Tovmasian was the only participant from the South Caucasus at the annual contest held in Paris. The 1.79 meter (5 ft 11 inch) beauty was chosen as the top runner-up from among 35 participants across Europe. The other finalists were Miss France, Miss Slovakia and Miss England.
Among the judges of the contest were Charles Aznavour, a world-famous French singer of Armenian descent, and couturier Paco Rabanne.
Tovmasian is a student of the Yerevan University of Foreign Languages and has worked as a model for the last two years. Her elder sister Irina won the title of Miss Armenia in 2001.
(GI-Photolur photo)