Arsen Safaryan: I do not believe that American Johns, French Jacques, or Russian Ivans will come to protect us

What is the Armenian music industry like today, what
challenges are facing Armenia today, what have we lost as a nation in recent
years, and what are the reasons for this? Although we talked about painful
issues with singer, songwriter Arsen Safaryan, we talked in a way that is par
for the course with him: with a smile. According to the singer, the problems
can be resolved; we just have to rely on ourselves and not expect any help from
without.

 

– What was the Armenian music industry like when you were
just starting out on your career and what is it like now?

– I remember those times quite well. There is this phrase
‘feels like it was yesterday’. That is the case with me. I remember everything
distinctly. The time 1996-1997 was a very interesting time for me. Although
technically, opportunities were limited back then, we used to sing our own
songs and there was a belief that things would gradually get better, that we
would give more concerts, etc. In fact, there was a period when everything was
just like that. That was perhaps the height of my career. I say so as the songs
and video clips created until 2010 went one better than the other. We were not
bothered about composing a song, so that we would be invited to sing in wedding
ceremonies. What really mattered to us, was to create something beautiful,
something that would convey a meaning. We did not strive to film women in
swimsuits in the clips. The bar was set high. I do not deem it right when they
say they create what people want to see.The singer should think about what he
performs. You get what you give. And I think so today as well. I can see
changes for the better as well. Not that I think bad of everything. Today, the
youth wants to hear live performances; and that is great.

 

– When you last went to Artsakh, you were with Artur
Grigoryan. Do you think Grigorich had any hope that everything would be fine?

– He was in agony… We were both in agony. We had never
been to Artsakh in that mood. When we entered Artsakh, he did not even turn
around; he did not look at Shushi’s new town sign… We were silent; we kept
silent for quite a long time, as there was nothing to say. Then I caught myself
thinking that defeat was even in the air; that was the mood. Everything had
become somewhat gloomy.

I felt that Grigorich was in a very bad mood, but he
suddenly collapsed… It was after he sang for the soldiers… At that time, we
thought that the worst thing that could happen had already happened; Artsakh
was still there… Perhaps we hoped that we would not lose entire Artsakh after
all.

 

– Isn’t it strange that the loss of Artsakh is hardly being
talked about now?

– It took me quite long to arrive at the understanding that
it is us, who is to blame for our losses. We have a tendency to create myths,
while we should have worked. We shouldn’t have been egocentric, advancing only
our personal interests. Wrong people often held the most important posts. That
was the reason why we did not develop and did not arm ourselves. We could have
built a Chinese wall around Artsakh.

They say that everyone should be in their place. But looking
around, I want to tell them that they are not in their places either. Many
people are not in the right place. I sometimes think they are ashamed to talk
about it. Well, don’t talk then, what can I say?

 

– Are they ashamed that they could not be helpful in any
way?

– They are fine, they don’t need to talk about it anymore.
Looking at them, the impression is that nothing has happened. Indifference
gradually deepens. That national liberation spirit may come again in the course
of time, but now… Yes, they listen to the songs, they get excited, but their
lifestyle does not show that they believe in it.

 

– In the fall of 2020, you were in Artsakh with your
brother, and you saw with your own eyes what was going on there. Stories were
many and different after the war. What myths were created at that time, and
which ones were particularly noticeable to you?

– We saw the truth… I hear opinions that Armenian men are
not fighters, that they are deserters, etc. This expression, it destroys us.
Some deserters can be found during any war. But we cannot extend it to everyone
and then add that this was the reason why we lost the war. That was not the
case. We had and still have many brave men.

 

– Years ago, I met singer, fighter Mkrtich Mkrtchyan. During
our conversation, he said he had been happy during the war (meaning the first
Artsakh War). He said there is nothing better than fighting for the
motherland… What did you feel on the battlefield?

– That was a bunch of feelings; you were ready for anything
for your friend, you could hold his hand at any moment…

Mkrtich was a great fighter, I cannot compare with him, but
we also had this wonderful feeling of trust in our commander. You trust an
experienced fighter standing next to you, encouraging you, a friend to whom you
yourself can give something with your song. The most important thing was that
there was this something for the sake of which one was fighting; but we have
what we have. I suffer from something else as well: We did not draw the right
conclusions from what happened and did not take the right steps to achieve
results.

– Do you have hope that everything will be fine after all?

– I don’t want to be naive, saying that everything will be
fine in a few years. Yes, the realization that we should only rely on ourselves
came after the war. I do not believe that American Johns, French Jacques, or
Russian Ivans will come to protect us. We have to get to building our army.
Then, if the geopolitical situation is somewhat favorable, and Azerbaijan
appears in turmoil (smiles), something may change then. However, I will sound
naive to say that we will go and get our homeland back in a year. We have
already seen the value of those medals, and myths have been dispelled. Do you
remember they were up to handing out awards? “I’m doing well to make myself
awards”. This should not be the case anymore; we should truly start building
our army. The fact that we have to start showing teeth is beyond doubt. We know
that where we answered them back on the battlefield, they did not advance.
Otherwise, if they advance kilometer by kilometer like this, they will reach
here…

 

Interview by Lena Gevorgyan