Young well-known Bulgarian-Armenian singer Raffi Poghosyan visited Armenia for the first time ever. He had come to personally “touch” the Armenia that he had pictured and to get in touch with his compatriots. Armenia is a heavenly land-this is how Raffi expressed the feelings and emotions inside his soul.

Hayern Aysor’s correspondent talked about the successful career, future plans and the plan to revisit Armenia.

Hayern Aysor: Raffi, what were your impressions of your first visit to Armenia?

Raffi Poghosyan: My parents had always told me about Armenia. I had also tried to learn about Armenia on television and on the Internet.

Words can’t describe how I felt when I came to Armenia and saw the wonders of our land. I came with my brother. We went sightseeing in Armenia and visited historic and cultural sites together.

We visited the memorial complex dedicated to the Battle of Sardarapat, Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex, the pagan temple in Garni, Geghard Monastery, as well as the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Lake Sevan and Khor Virap Monastery. As for Yerevan, I am speechless.

For me, every corner of Armenia is magical. I had never seen such beautiful architectural buildings before. I constantly wanted to look and touch.

I could not hold back my feelings at Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial Complex. Being there was very symbolic for me. I remembered my grandfather, who had escaped the Armenian Genocide. He lived in the Turkish city of Bursa and moved to Bulgaria after barely managing to escape the massacres in 1915. That is why the roots of our family trace back to the Bulgarian city of Burgas.

Hayern Aysor: How was it that only at the age of 23 you decided that it was time to see the land of your ancestors?

R. P.: My parents always wanted to bring me and my brother to Armenia since childhood, but it never worked out.

Despite that, they would always tell me and my brother about Armenia and the history of the Armenian people. They would also take us to an Armenian Saturday school so that we would not forget the Armenian language. Thanks to our parents’ consistent efforts, we can now read and write in Armenian. My grandmother also made a great contribution to help us preserve the Armenian identity and not forget the native language. To this day, whenever we speak in a foreign language, she gets angry and does not reply, saying she doesn’t understand us.

Hayern Aysor: Raffi, you are the winner of the 2011 X Factor music competition in Bulgaria. Why did you decide to put your strengths to the test in that music competition?

R. P.: There was nothing that motivated me to participate in the pre-electoral stage of the X Factor music competition. I took my friends’ advice and performed David Lee Roth’s song “Just a Gigolo”. The jury liked me right away, and I won. After winning, I was given the opportunity to sign a contract with Virginia Records, which is in cooperation with Sony Music. I left for London where I performed, recorded songs and made music videos. After winning, I also collaborated with well-known British producer Troy Miller, who was actually the one who wanted to work with me.

Hayern Aysor: Do you have a music education?

R. P.: No, I am a marketologist by profession. However, I have always loved singing. I remember how I would sing during family gatherings and shows at school. I would often imitate many world famous singers. I would imitate Italian opera singer, Tenor Luciano Pavarotti the most.

My victory became fatal and I seriously began to think about pursuing a career in music.

I love all Armenian folk songs, but I also listen to Armenian pop songs. For me, Komitas is a totally different world. I started singing Komitas’s songs when I was a member of the choir of the Armenian Church of Bulgaria.

When I listened to Komitas’s psalms during a Holy Mass at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, I heard melodies that were close to my heart, and I remembered the years that I spent as a member of the choir.

Hayern Aysor: You are already beloved and well-known at a young age. Isn’t it hard to resist that “gravity”?

R. P.: It is not hard because I love what I do. I have worked with producers for four years. My contract expired six months ago, and I have been taking care of business by myself ever since. I have no complaints. Working with a producer made me feel restricted. Working alone, I have already recorded two new songs and have also made the music videos for those songs. I write the lyrics for most of my songs.

I am currently working on releasing my new album and hope to release it next year. I have also created my own band and show ballet.

I receive invitations to perform at concerts from time to time. I perform with renowned Bulgarian stars such as Lili Ivanova, Vasil Naidenov, Mihaela Fileva and many other well-known performers.

Hayern Aysor: Are there other notable members of the Armenian community of Bulgaria? Which spheres are they involved in?

R. P.: Of course. They are the experts in their respective spheres. They are bankers, TV producers, businesspeople and are involved in other spheres. I can set aside banker Levon Hambardzumyan, pop singer Haykashot Aghasyan, businessman Peto Boghosyan, journalist Gevorg Gevorgyan, singer Willy Kazasyan and jazz singer Hilda Kazasyan.

My mother, Elizabeth Poghosyan, is also one of the active members of the community. She is the chairperson of the ARS Regional Committee and one of the members of the Armenian Genocide Centennial Bulgaria Regional Committee. She also carries out different programs aimed at preserving the Armenian identity.

Hayern Aysor: Did you follow the X Factor television music competition in Armenia?

R. P.: I heard that a similar competition was being held in Armenia, but I am not aware of how it is held. I have no doubt that it is organized professionally and that my compatriots give brilliant performances.

Hayern Aysor: During the four-day war in Artsakh, all Diaspora Armenians stood up and supported Armenia and the army of Artsakh, and they are still supporting. How are you expressing your solidarity with Artsakh?

R. P.: The members of the community were talking about the difficult situation created in Artsakh as a result of the war provoked by Azerbaijan. Of course, we are all concerned about the events taking place in Artsakh. However, we did not have a lot of information. We were following the development of the events on the Internet, but we did not know whether we should believe it or not.

True, we live far away from Armenia, but we care for Artsakh and the Armenian people. We feel sad when we hear about the death of every soldier and innocent people. It is as if we are hearing about the death of our relatives. Unfortunately, the Bulgarian press was passive during those days.

I know that a Bulgarian-Armenian journalist will be traveling to Nagorno-Karabakh to prepare reports and tell the whole truth to the world.

Hayern Aysor: Raffi, will we see you in Armenia again?

R. P.: I will definitely visit Armenia again. I might even give a concert in the Homeland. It is part of my plans.

There is another major condition for my return to Armenia-I want to eat Armenian khorovats (barbecue) and the oven-baked, sweet-smelling Armenian lavash again. I loved it so much! (laughing-ed.).

Interview by Gevorg Chichyan