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Sirusho

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Sirusho, born Siranush Hrachyayi Harutyunyan on January 7, 1987, is a prominent Armenian singer and songwriter. She is widely recognized for her unique ability to blend traditional Armenian musical sounds with modern genres like soul, pop, and R&B. This fusion creates a bridge between ancient cultural heritage and contemporary global music trends. Her work often incorporates traditional instruments such as the duduk, dhol, and zurna. Through her performances and compositions, she serves as a cultural ambassador for Armenia. Her impact is so significant that the BBC described her as a "national treasure" of her country.

Sirusho's musical development began during her early childhood in Yerevan, Soviet Armenia. She was born to Hrachya Harutyunyan, an actor and director, and Syuzan Margaryan, a popular singer. By the age of seven, she was already composing her own music and lyrics in both Armenian and English. Her talent was recognized early through several prestigious honors. At age nine, she won a Young Talents Contest for one of her own compositions. She also received her first award at the Armenian National Music Awards for performing "Lusabats," a folk song written by the composer Komitas in the early 20th century. By age thirteen, she released her first studio album, titled "Sirusho."

As her career progressed, Sirusho explored different musical styles through several distinct studio albums. In 2005, she released "Sheram," an album dedicated to Armenian folk songs by gusan, which are traditional singers. This project earned her the Best Album of the Year and Best Female Performer awards at the Armenian National Music Awards. Her next major work, "Hima" (meaning "Now"), released in 2007, acted as a musical breakthrough. This album successfully mixed soul and R&B with traditional Armenian instrumentation. In 2010, she released "Havatum em" (meaning "I Believe"), which included songs she wrote for Eurovision selections. Her 2016 album, "Armat" (meaning "Root"), was specifically designed to represent Armenian culture.

Sirusho achieved significant international fame through the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2008, she represented Armenia in Belgrade, Serbia, with the song "Qélé, Qélé." She co-wrote this track and worked with Canadian Armenian composer DerHova on its production. The song was a major success, finishing in fourth place with 199 points. Notably, she remains the only Armenian participant to receive the maximum score of 12 points in a single instance. The song became a hit across Europe, particularly in Greek-speaking regions. Following this, she released "Erotas," an up-tempo dance song with Greek laiko influence, which reached number one on the Armenian Singles Chart.

Beyond music, Sirusho has used her platform to express Armenian identity through various creative mediums. In 2012, she released the single "PreGomesh," a dance track co-written with Avet Barseghyan. This song was inspired by the folk song "Lorva Gutanerg," preserved by Komitas. The release led her to launch a line of handcrafted silver jewelry also named "PreGomesh." This jewelry brand aims to combine traditional Armenian craftsmanship with modern fashion trends. Her ability to cross cultural boundaries led to her being named one of "6 un-American idols" by W magazine in 2013. She was also the first Armenian artist to receive two nominations at the World Music Awards.

Sirusho's career is marked by high-level official recognition and social activism. In 2017, President Serzh Sargsyan decreed that she be awarded the title of Honored Artist of Armenia. She has also been active in preserving musical history. In 2022, she helped establish a foundation named after the beloved artist Hayko to save and publish his musical heritage. Sirusho also uses her music to address serious historical themes. For example, her 2015 song "Kga Mi Or" was dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. She has also advocated for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide through her documentary work and public statements.

Sirusho Harutyunyan at Eurovision 2008 8
Sirusho Harutyunyan at Eurovision 2008 8

Her personal life is closely connected to Armenian public life. She married Levon Kocharyan, the son of Armenia's second president, Robert Kocharyan, in 2009. Together, they have three children: Robert, Michael, and Zabelle.

Robert Kocharyan and his family, 2013
Robert Kocharyan and his family, 2013

Sirusho continues to collaborate with international artists, such as Norwegian singer Alexander Rybak in the 2021 single "Stay." Her work remains a vital connection between the history of the Armenian people and the modern musical landscape. Through her albums, jewelry, and advocacy, she ensures that Armenian culture remains visible on the global stage.

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File:Sirusho Harutyunyan at Eurovision 2008 8.jpg
Sirusho Harutyunyan at Eurovision 2008 8.jpg
File:Robert Kocharyan and his family, 2013.JPG
Robert Kocharyan and his family, 2013.JPG
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