*Mary Aprahamian*
2nd-year student of the Faculty of Journalism of
Yerevan State University
Singer Athena Manoukian, who is based in Europe, visited Armenia for the first time in September of 2015. The 21-year-old singer was born in Greece with Armenian roots. At the age of 12, she won first place in a talent search contest, after which she went on to participate in the pre-electoral stage of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. In 2011, the singer’s song “Party Like a Freak” became one of the top hits of the year in Europe. “Hayern Aysor” presents the interview that the singer gave to “Zhurnalist” online newspaper.
Zhurnalist: Athena, you are visiting Armenia for the first time. How do you feel?
Athena Manoukian: I am happy, more than ever. Visiting Armenia has always been my biggest dream. I have come to see my homeland. This is where my roots are.
Zhurnalist: What do you know about your roots? How did your ancestors reach Greece?
- M.: I will share an interesting story. My great-grandfather decides to leave Armenia for Greece, but faces a problem-the times were difficult. He had to transfer a diamond belt. It was dangerous, but that was the only condition. He takes the risk, and after that, the next generations of the Manoukians have lived in Greece.
Zhurnalist: Your father is Armenian, and your mother is Greek. Do you think your individuality, mindset or lifestyle is closer to those of an Armenian, or a Greek?
- M.: I believe the Greeks and the Armenians have many things in common in terms of their mindset and lifestyle. For me, it’s probably 50/50.
Zhurnalist: You admire many people with your voice. People usually say that one can only inherit such a powerful voice.
- M.: Yes, you’re right. There was a time when my father wanted to become a singer, but it didn’t work out for some reasons. My grandfather also sings…Oh! He always sings, but he didn’t continue his path in music. Now I am the professional singer.
Zhurnalist: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
- M.: Any song, concert or shooting is a new achievement for me. They help me improve every day. I wouldn’t like to set aside any one of them. There are many achievements, and there will be more in the future.
Zhurnalist: It’s nice to be in the field of music, but it’s also very difficult. Who motivates you?
- M.: People who believe in me. My family comes first, and then, why not, my manager, who always supports me and stands by my side. I can rely on him in any case. In general, anything can motivate you when you do what you love.
Zhurnalist: What does music mean to you? Is it a hobby, a lifestyle, or something else?
- M.: It means everything to me. It fills my life and makes me want to live. It unites all of us. For example, you speak Armenian, and I speak English, and we don’t understand each other, but when you listen to a good song, you’ll see how we understand everything…Music is a language that we all understand.
Zhurnalist: Have you managed to tour Armenia?
- M.: The first thing that I saw was Swan Lake, which has become very popular after Kanye West jumped into it. I write to my friends, telling them that I saw Swan Lake, there’s simply no water in it (laughing-M. A.). Then, I visited the Cascade Complex. I loved it and will be visiting it again. I saw the statue of Komitas, the Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) and Republic Square. I’ll definitely visit Geghard Monastery in the next couple of days.
Zhurnalist: Do you think you will ever return to Armenia and settle here?
- M.: I don’t even want to leave Armenia now, but I have to. However, I will come back soon, very soon.
Hayern Aysor.am
