“The Armenian language is the light and prayer in our home”

Opera singer and recipient of international awards Balik Galemkerian-Popova, who was recently hosted at the editorial office of the Hayern Aysor electronic newspaper of the RA Ministry of Diaspora, was born and raised in Syria, received her higher education in Yerevan, settled in Moscow and started a happy family with Russian cellist, Merited Artist of the Russian Federation Konstantin Popov. She hadn’t been in the Homeland for 13 years, and I could see she longed for the Homeland as I looked into her beautiful and melancholic eyes as she spoke.

Hayern Aysor: Mrs. Galemkerian-Popova, how did you resist your longing?

Balik Galemkerian-Popova: It was difficult. I was born and raised in Syria. I studied at Yerevan State Conservatory. I miss my hometown and my Homeland, though I have visited Syria often and haven’t spent much time in Armenia. My husband, our daughter, Anna and I live in Moscow. I sing at the Holy Glorification Armenian Apostolic Church in Moscow. We would visit and give concerts there even during the years of the ongoing war in Syria. I studied at the Karen Eppe National Lyceum of Aleppo, after which I was a student of Tatevik Sazandaryan at Yerevan Komitas State Music School. Upon graduation, I started working at the opera theater in Yerevan, which Gegham Grigoryan, who is unfortunately no longer with us, had started directing. My career was short-lived because I was engaged and had promised my fiancé that I would return to Syria after studying for five years since he was working there. I know everyone is interested in my second last name, Popova. I will tell you how I got married to a Russian by the name of Konstantin Popov. The fact that a Syrian-Armenian was getting married to a Russian man surprised everyone…Through the agreement signed between the Russian Federation and Syria, Konstantin was invited to work in Syria, and I was taking cello lessons with him at a cultural center. In fact, I must say that our daughter is also going to become a cellist.

Hayern Aysor: Your parents are Syrian-Armenians who are clung to their roots and worship the Armenians. Weren’t they against your decision to marry a foreigner?

B. G. P.: They were, but love eventually won. Konstantin agreed to wait five years for me to finish my studies. In that period, my parents became convinced that he was a worthy person and expert. My brother and I got accepted to the Conservatory at the same time. My brother was studying in the composing department with Aram Satyan and graduated as a conductor of a symphony orchestra. Unfortunately, my brother passed away. During the years of the Syrian war, my father also passed away due to heart problems. My mother moved to Moscow with me later. My daughter was born in Syria. She was little when we settled in Moscow.

Hayern Aysor: Has Konstantin ever told you why he chose to get married to an Armenian woman? Was it your big and beautiful eyes of an Armenian that attracted him, or your talent, or the respect that Armenians have for traditions?

B. G. P.: Yes, he has. He told me that he was charmed by the talent, conventionality and discipline of the Armenians and their love for, respect towards and cordiality to other nations. He has been living in Syria since 1995 and has worked at the cultural center in Damascus. He has studied the East, especially Syria and the Armenians of Syria.

Hayern Aysor: So, you are also a cellist. Do you consider yourself a more successful singer or cellist?

B. G. P.: Of course, I consider myself a more successful singer. That is my territory, my big world.

Hayern Aysor: You said your daughter, Anna is a cellist…

B. G. P.: Anna is 12 years old. She also sings and has won awards at international competitions in two musical categories.

Hayern Aysor: Mrs. Galemkerian-Popova, have you given solo concerts?

B. G. P.: Yes, I gave my first solo concert in Syria when I was a student. Later, I gave a solo concert with Sedrak Yerkanyan’s Tagharan Ensemble at the Chamber Music Hall in Yerevan. The June 15 concert is also with the ensemble. The hall of the Union of Composers was given to me for free with the support of Aram Satyan. I am good friends with Aram Satyan. He was my brother’s teacher. The program of my concert includes the notable works of Armenian, Russian and other world composers, including the “Ave Maria” aria from the respectable Aram Satyan’s “Lilit” pop-opera.

Hayern Aysor: Balik, you have learned Russian, but does your husband know Armenian?

B. G. P.: I studied Russian during my years of study at the Conservatory. Konstantin understands Armenian, but doesn’t speak the language. He only says a few words in Armenian when I am feeling sad so that I feel better. Our daughter knows Armenian, Arabic, English and Russian. At home, we speak in all languages, communicate more in English, but Armenian is the light and prayer in our home.

Hayern Aysor: Have you tried to sing folk songs?

B. G. P.: I have tried to sing and continue to sing in all genres, except for jazz and rock music.

Hayern Aysor: Name your favorite Armenian composers and your favorite international classical singers.

B. G. P.: Alexander Harutyunyan, Edgar Mirzoyan, Aram Satyan, Barsegh Kanachyan, Abrahamyan, Robert Amirkhanyan, Geghuni Chtchyan…The great classical singers of the world for me are Montserrat Caballe and Cecilia Bartoli. I can also include my teacher, Tatevik Sazandaryan.

Hayern Aysor: Do you try to convince Konstantin to settle in Armenia?

B. G. P.: There is no need to convince my husband and daughter. They are the ones who are aspiring for that.

Hayern Aysor: How do you see Yerevan after 13 years?

B. G. P.: It has changed a lot! People would tell me about it, but I couldn’t imagine. It is nothing like what it was in 2003.

Hayern Aysor: What does song mean to you?

B. G. P.: Oxygen. I always want to sing. I have sung in many places, but my desire is to always sing in the Homeland.

Hayern Aysor: Thank you! May your wish to always sing in the Homeland come true!

Interview by Karine Avagyan