I’m Armenian - Avraam Russo

Tert.am interviewed Avraam Russo (Apraham Ipjian), a Russian-Armenian pop singer, who arrived in Armenia.

In his exclusive interview with Tert.am, with the sponsorship of Ernesto Marco, founder of the Luxury magazine, the well-known singer refuted the rumors that he had allegedly called himself a Turk. He also touched on the situation in Syria, proposed ways of resolving problems of the Armenian community, showed his Armenian passport – a surprise many considered a joke on April Fool's Day.

- If you do not mind, we could begin with the rumors that you allegedly called yourself a Turk.

- I’m Armenian and I cannot have said anywhere I belonged to another nation. Yes, my parents were born in Turkey, but the parents of millions of Armenians emigrated from Turkey. Many countries invite me and offer cooperation. In the United States you can see me in company with representatives of different national groups. I cannot tell them not to share a table with me. But I’m Armenian and let’s dismiss this subject at last.

- Still, what is the reason for the stir?

- Let me explain. I have always been against actors being drawn into politics. But the mass media are practicing it in their own interests. But very often such people act wrong. Six or eight months ago I invited a press conference and expressed my opinion. After I returned to Moscow I encountered a serious problem though I was not to blame at all. The local journalists had misinterpreted my words. I did not know they in Moscow were monitoring the Armenian press. They unsheathed a sword on me. I managed to settle the problem anyhow. My friends were invited. They just told me they wanted to release my album, and I just gave the nod. What would you do were you in my place?

- Still, is a Turkish album planned?

- No, I have come here to work at my Armenian album. In the first place, however, I have to release my Russian album. I’m now releasing one in the United States and I must include new songs in it. I have no wish or intention to release a Turkish album. What they wrote is their problem, the author’s problem.

- You are recording a song with Kristine Pepelyan. Does it have anything in common with your Armenian album?

- No, it does not. I has to do with the “We and we” project on the Public Television of Armenia.

- Did you get the Armenian passport easily?

- It lasted for two years and a half. All other people get their passports within four or six months, but people like me get them late. As soon as I go to New York with my wife, we will apply to the Armenian Embassy in the United States for an Armenian passport for her.

- What do you need it for?

- My daughter, who has US citizenship, is getting an Armenian passport to be able to come to Armenia. Even my wife, who is not Armenian, must get an Armenian passport as a member of our family. Only a fool could think I said I was a Turk after getting an Armenian passport. Each Armenian must get an Armenian passport no matter where he or she lives. Your homeland will be homeland. I’m a true-born Armenian.

- An Armenian born in Syria, what is your opinion of the current situation in that country?

- This is a most serious question. Many Armenians are residing in Syria. The situation is sad there, and I do not think peace will be established there. I want peace there very much, because my family is living in Syria. Eight hundred years ago Syria was a Christian soil, but we have no influence there any more. Armenians are unable to resolve any problem there. The situation is the same as in the entire Middle East. May God help them. Let’s ask our catholicos and clergy to pray for peace there.

- Our people has preserved its national identity because we are Armenians and due to our religion. We waged wars for our religion. We have had numerous heroes, such as Vardan Mamikonyan, who shed their blood for Christianity. We are proud of becoming Christians in ad 301. All the Christians in the world are our brothers. Why do not we invite these people here? Let’s build houses, funds and towns here. Let’s bring them here. Let all of them come to their homeland.