On September 21, 2013, Honored Artist of the Republic of Armenia Nune Yesayan introduced her concert program entitled “We Exist, We Will Exist and We Will Grow” at an event in Yerevan during which she performed songs that presented the history of the Armenian people spanning a century and were dedicated to the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

Nune Yesayan will give concerts at large concert halls in the USA, Russia, Europe and other parts of the world with the support of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

“Hayern Aysor”’s correspondent sat down for an interview with singer Nune Yesayan.

“Hayern Aysor”: How would you describe the title “We Exist, We Will Exist and We Will Grow”. How will it be different from your other concerts?

Nune Yesayan: This concert is not one of the usual concerts that I have been giving in different countries for the past twenty years. I’ll be singing totally different kinds of songs. The program includes songs that I have never sung or recorded in the past. We decided that the concert entitled “We Exist, We Will Exist and We Will Grow” should start with songs composed prior to the Armenian Genocide and should be followed by songs written during the Genocide, songs that make people get up on their feet, songs that were written in times of peace in the 1960s and 1970s and songs devoted to the victory in Artsakh. These are songs that present the road that we have been taking for the past century and let everyone know that even though we experienced Genocide, we got back on our feet (Armenians always get back on their feet), triumphed and will still have many victories. The title says it all.

“Hayern Aysor”: Who came up with the idea?

N. Y.: It was the idea of talented film director Hrant Yeritskinyan, who is also the organizer. We wanted to present the concert program in Armenia a year in advance so that we’ll be prepared to present it in the Armenian Diaspora on the occasion of the Centennial of the Armenian Genocide.

“Hayern Aysor”: How are you preparing for the concerts? When will the program be launched?

N. Y.: Since the concert was already held in Yerevan, we have everything ready. We even have a video clip. I must say that each part of the concert starts with a poem read by the Armenian poet (Sevak, Shiraz, Sahyan), and that’s very influential.

The concert in Armenia was held with the symphony orchestra and choir, but if there are choirs, orchestras and dance groups in the Diaspora Armenian communities, it would be better for them to join us. In that case, we won’t take any group with us. I want the communites to take part in the concerts.

I don’t know when the concerts will start. We’re discussing the issue with the Ministry of Diaspora, which is planning the tours. I would like to start in Los Angeles and New York and then move to cities in Europe and Russia, the Middle East and wherever possible. I would like to include as many cities as possible.

“Hayern Aysor”: How do you think Diaspora Armenians will react to this?

N. Y.: I think these concerts will have a good impact. I’ve always felt good in the Armenian Diaspora. I’ve been loved, respected and honored, but that’s a different story. Perhaps the years that I spent in Syria have had an impact. I understand the Syrian-Armenians very well because I’ve been one of them. I’ve lived with them for two years. That’s why they’re close to my heart. I’ve always felt at home in the Armenian Diaspora, and that refers to the language as well.

“Hayern Aysor”: Syrian-Armenians are experiencing “genocide” once again. Will there be a reflection on the Syrian-Armenians?

N. Y.: We want to link everything in a way to have meetings before and after the concerts and talk about the fact that this is the second Genocide. The proceeds from these charity concerts can go to the Armenian Genocide Centennial Committees, and we can give some of the proceeds to Syrian-Armenians. The Ministry of Diaspora will decide how to spend the money.

I must also say that I have my own charitable non-governmental organization and will soon be opening a training center that will provide children with training. They will join different clubs. I definitely want to engage Syrian-Armenian children, for whom teaching will be in Western Armenian.

“Hayern Aysor”: So, besides the demand for recognition of the Armenian Genocide, the concert will also be a charity concert.

N. Y.: The goal of the concert is to call for recognition of the Armenian Genocide and to show how strong we are as a nation. The proceeds received prior to the concerts will also be devoted to the Genocide and the Syrian-Armenians.