Armenia and Artsakh were the main “pivot” of the conversation that Hayern Aysor’s correspondent had with France-based Armenian singer Essaï Altounian. The singer had come to the Homeland to climb to the peak of Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex and to visit Artsakh.

Hayern Aysor: Essaï, was this the first time you were participating in the traditional torch-lit march in Armenia?

Essaï Altounian: I believe every Diaspora Armenian should visit Armenia and climb to the peak of Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex on the occasion of April 24^th.

Yes, on April 23, I participated in the torch-lit march for the first time. I received an indescribable energy and realized once again how united we Armenians are as a nation. I also visited Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex on April 24^th. My compatriots and I made it to the peak and laid flowers around the eternal flame.

Every time I visit Tsitsernakaberd, I see the horrible scenes of the massacres of 1.5 million Armenians and can hear the stories in my ears.

Of course, I feel sad, but that sadness instills hope for the future. I feel we are going to win and that Turkey is going to recognize the Armenian Genocide sooner or later.

Let the world know that we Armenians are a nation with an unbreakable spirit and know how to fight for our rights and our Homeland. Nobody can erase our history and steal our Homeland from us.

Hayern Aysor: When did you learn about the Armenian Genocide?

E. A.: I was 5 when my parents first told me about the Armenian Genocide and said that my grandfather was a witness. They told me the whole truth and advised me not to feel depressed, but to be strong and aspire to become a person who could help Armenia.

I don’t think I have deceived my parents. I always believed that my time would come and that I would talk, and especially sing about these ethereal pages in the history of the Armenian people.

Hayern Aysor: Being the descendant of a witness of the Armenian Genocide, in your soul there is more sorrow, wrath and the desire to state claims and lead an unwavering struggle. I would like to ask you to share your grandfather’s story of how he escaped the Turks’ yataghan.

E. A.: My grandfather Nshan was 6 when the Armenian Genocide began. He and his parents and sisters barely escaped Kharberd and reached the desert of Deir Zor where his mother and sisters were killed in front of his eyes.

After that, Arab Bedouins find him in the desert and decided to take care of him by giving him food and cothes. My grandfather even worked for them. Later, at the age of 18, he moved to Syria. At a store in Aleppo, he casually met one of his relatives, who took him to France. In France, my grandfather lived with his relatives who had survived the Armenian Genocide. Later, in Lyon, he met his future wife whom he would marry and start a new life with.

My grandfather Nshan also published a book entitled “The Child of the Desert” so that the generations wouldn’t forget what happened to him and the Armenian people in 1915.

Hayern Aysor: Where do you think the key to solving the age-old issues of the Armenian Genocide is hidden? How will this issue eventually be solved?

E. A.: To achieve the ultimate desired solution to the Armenian Cause, Armenians need to be united, have the will and never lose hope, just like they didn’t lose hope during the military operations that Azerbaijani troops provoked in Artsakh in early April.

The new generation of Armenians in Armenia and abroad represents a large and powerful force that has the spirit of stating claims and the spirit of patriotism. They are the hope for tomorrow and the vision for our future. It is through them that we need to seek the paths to solving the issue.

Let Turkey and Azerbaijan know that the Armenian nation doesn’t want a war or terrorism. Turkey should only realize the horrible sin that it has committed against the Armenian people and return our ancestral lands. The day will come.

Hayern Aysor: Like our compatriots abroad, you also expressed solidarity with Artsakh and the Armenian Army. You also went to Artsakh. Could you tell us about your visit to Artsakh?

E. A.: Of course, that is the case. Diaspora Armenians need to visit Armenia during these difficult times and support the people by telling them that they are not alone and that the Armenian Diaspora stands with Armenia. Let the Azerbaijanis know that we Armenians are not 3 million, but 13 million in number and are ready to confront them as a nation united as one. Now, more than ever, we will not let the chaos begin again. Losing Artsakh is simply inadmissible.

I was in Artsakh when the enemy violated the ceasefire again on the Nagorno-Karabakh-Azerbaijan border and bombarded Martakert on the night of 27 April. I experienced great pain.

I posted photos and videos on my Facebook page so that foreigners could see the actions unleashed by Azerbaijan. Our key objective now is to draw the international community’s attention to the Artsakh issue by letting them know Azerbaijan’s illegitimate political position.

These events in Artsakh reminded me of the Armenian Genocide that Turkey perpetrated in 1915.

Hayern Aysor: Essaï, what was your life like after participating in the Eurovision Song Contest? Have you ever thought about that?

E. A.: Perhaps I became a more famous person and became popular in Armenia and abroad. Now it is already very nice to see people smile and show signs that they know me when I see them on the streets in Armenia.

Hayern Aysor: What so you miss about Armenia?

E. A.: What I miss the most are the sincere smiles and attitude of the Armenians and their warmth. I miss the Armenian people.

Hayern Aysor: What are your memories of your first visit to Armenia?

E. A.: I set foot on Armenian soil when I was 16. I remember the first time I visited Armenia. I cried the first time, and the pride and emotions were choking me.

Through the Land and Culture Organization of France, we visited the Gogaran village for a month and stayed with people who have been saved from the 1988 Spitak Earthquake. We started building a church there. It was important to console the people who were mourning and in despair. We helped them get back on their feet and continue to live their lives.

I received a lot of energy and strength. I realize that there is nothing better in this world than Armenia, our land and water. My roots trace back here, and I will never forget that. I promised myself to visit Armenia every year, and why not, there might even come a day when I will settle in the homeland.

Hayern Aysor: Essaï, I commend the fact that you speak in Armenian so well, even though you live abroad.

E. A.: My parents are great patriots. They have always urged us to speak in Armenian always and everywhere and stay true to our language and identity. We have always been in an Armenian environment.

I create that same environment for my family. Although my wife is French, we provided our daughters, 8-year-old April and 2-year-old Marie with an Armenian upbringing and introduce them to the morals and customs of the Armenians. They speak in Armenian more or less, and when they are asked if they are Armenian or French, they certainly say they are Armenian. We named our daughter April, taking into consideration the symbol of April 24^th, and of course, the aspiration of the Armenian people to live and create, in spite of all the hardships.

My daughters haven’t visited Armenia yet, but I have promised that I will definitely take them to see the land of their ancestors.

Hayern Aysor: At the end, let’s talk about your career. What are your new plans?

E. A.: I am currently focused on the Armenia Music Project, which I am dedicating to the memory of my grandfather Nshan.

The project will convey love and humanism in a new way. It will be more than just a musical and cultural show. Armenia Project is a pan-Armenian and global project with a deep philosophy-it is about people who haven’t been discouraged from the blows caused by history and have remained standing. By carrying out this project, I want to present the history of the Armenian people to the world, starting from Noah’s days and ending with our times.

With this musical, I will also establish a bridge between the East and the West. This will be my worldwide show to help citizens of the world see the centuries-old rich Armenian culture and history and understand that we Armenians are a strong and united nation and that nobody can break us down. I will be presenting Armenian national songs to Europeans and Americans with modern musical arrangements. There will also be Armenian music and dances, as well as some choreography. I also plan on engaging renowned singers of Armenia and am currently holding discussions.

We will start in France and then tour the U.S. and several countries across Europe. We will also visit Lebanon. At the end, we will definitely visit Armenia.

We hope Armenia Project is ready in late 2017 and becomes a source of life, establishing love and peace around the world.

Interview by Gevorg Chichyan