Sirusho

Siranush Harutyunyan (Armenian: Սիրանուշ Հարությունյան; born 7 January 1987), known professionally as Sirusho (Armenian: Սիրուշո), is an Armenian singer whose musical career has been active for over 20 years. Her musical style reflects the Armenian traditional sounds mixed with modern music. Sirusho received her first award when she was nine years old for her song "Lusabats". Sirusho's first studio album, Sirusho, was released in 2000; her second album Sheram was released in 2005. In the same year, she was awarded The Future of Armenian Music, Best Album and Best Female Performer awards in the first Armenian National Music Awards.[1]

Sirusho
Սիրանուշ Հարությունյան
Sirusho in 2012
Born	Siranush Harutyunyan (1987-01-07) 7 January 1987 Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union
Occupation	Singer composer songwriter jewelry designer
Years active	1995–present
Spouse(s)	Levon Khocharyan ( m. 2009)
Children	2
Parent(s)	Hrachya Harutyunyan (father) Syuzan Margaryan (mother)
Website	sirusho.am

In 2008, the BBC described her success as making her a "national treasure" of Armenia.[2] Sirusho reached international recognition after becoming the Armenian spokesperson for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest[3] and the Armenian representative for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest held in Belgrade.[4] Sirusho represented Armenia with the song "Qélé, Qélé", which she co-wrote with Armenian producer H.A. Der-Hovagimian. "Qélé, Qélé" became a hit for Eurovision Song Contest-following fans around the world, especially in Greek-speaking areas. The 'Yerevan Remix' version of the song was regularly played in Greek clubs, on London Greek Radio in the United Kingdom, and in an episode of the Greek and Cyprus X Factor television series.[5]

Sirusho's single "PreGomesh" was released in December 2012, after which she launched a range of handcrafted silver jewelry named PreGomesh, which represents and preserves Armenian culture and craftsmanship while following modern fashion trends.[6] Sirusho is the first Armenian artist to be twice-nominated at World Music Awards with "PreGomesh".[7]

In October 2013, W magazine included Sirusho in their list of "6 un-American idols: The Beyoncé of Brazil, the Gaga of Serbia". The author of the list Kevin McGarry wrote, "Perhaps the door is still open for Sirusho to introduce the world to a sound and language largely unknown in the West".[8][9] In 2017 Sirusho was awarded with the title of Honored Artist of Armenia upon the decree of President Serzh Sargsyan[10]

Biography

1987–2004: Early life and career beginnings

Sirusho was born in Yerevan, Soviet Armenia, on January 7, 1987,[11] to actor and director Hrachya Harutyunyan, and Syuzan Margaryan, one of the most popular singers in Armenia in the 1980s-1990s.[12] Sirusho won her first award as a child at the Armenian National Music Awards for her performance of "Lusabats", an Armenian folk song written in the early 20th century by Komitas. At the age of seven, Sirusho began to write her own music and lyrics in Armenian and English.[12][13] At the age of nine she won another award at the Young Talents Contest for one of her own compositions. She released her first studio album Sirusho at the age of 13.[12] Sirusho graduated from Yerevan's Khachik Dashtents School #114 in 2004. She subsequently studied piano at the Sayat-Nova Music School[12] and graduated Yerevan State University with excellence in international relations.[1]

2005–2007: Sheram and Hima

Sirusho performing Armenia's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

"I have worked and toured a lot this year, and even in a few hours after this event, I'll be flying to the U.S. for concerts, and i want to thank all of you for giving me the wings for all future flights in my life"

—Sirusho during the acceptance speech of her second "Best Female Artist Award" 2005 in Armenia[14]

Although Sirusho mainly performed soul and pop for most of her career, she decided to work on an album of Armenian folk songs by gusan titled Sheram, which was released in 2005.[12] The album also included the single "Shorora", which was very well received. In 2005, Sheram was awarded the Best Album of the Year award at the Armenian National Music Awards. Sirusho also won the "Best Female Artist of the Year" award.

In 2006, Varduhi Vardanyan, a renowned Armenian singer, died. Varduhi has been a close friend of Sirusho's since her childhood. After her death, Sirusho dedicated a song titled "Mez Vochinch Chi Bazhani" ("Nothing Will separate Us"), which is included in Sirusho's album "Hima" ("Now"), to Varduhi.

Also in 2006, Sirusho received the award for Best Female Artist of the Year at the Annual Armenian-Russian Diaspora Music Awards held in Moscow, Russia. A few days later, she released her single "Heranum em" (Armenian: Հեռանում եմ) (I am leaving), which soon became a hit. The single was included in Sirusho's album "Hima", which also includes "Arjani E", a track with singer Sofi Mkheyan.[15] The album proved to be a breakthrough in Armenian music, unleashing a fresh wave of mixing soul music and R&B with traditional instruments such as duduk, dhol, and zurna. Sirusho won the "Best Female Artist of the Year" award at the Armenian Music Awards community at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. Sirusho received her fourth Best Female Artist award at the 2008 Armenian national Music Awards.

Sirusho was chosen to represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. She performed "Qele Qele", which was co-produced by the Canadian Armenian composer DerHova. The song entered the first semi-final on May 20 and advanced to the final which took place on May 24, 2008 in Belgrade. Sirusho took the 4th place with 199 points, and still remains the only Armenian participant who has received the most number of 12 points. During the official after-party following the final, the four winners of the Marcel Bezençon Award 2008 were announced and prizes were given out. They presented a new Fan Award by Swedish website Gylleneskor.se.[16] Readers of the site had the opportunity to vote online for their favorite 2008 artist.

On April 1, 2009, Sirusho released the song "Erotas"—also known as "Erotas Ksafnikos" (Sudden Love)—an up-tempo dance song with heavy traditional Greek laiko influence sung entirely in Greek. It was composed by singer Hayko and written by Natalia Germanou.[17] Sirusho performed the song live at the Tashir Armenian Awards ceremony in April 2009.[18] Erotas went on to become a number-one hit on the Armenian Singles Chart.[19]

On June 6, 2009, Sirusho married Levon Kocharyan, the son of Armenia's second president Robert Kocharyan.[20]

Also in 2009 Sirusho also recorded a song dedicated to peace along with the participants of Eurovision 2008; Boaz Mauda and Jelena Tomasevic, representing Israel and Serbia, respectively. "Time To Pray" was released in May; its lyrics were written by the President of Israel, Shimon Peres. The song became a hit in multiple countries, including Russia and Serbia.

2010–2012: Havatum em and PreGomesh

In February 2010, Sirusho performed her new song Havatum em (I Believe) at the Armenian national selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2010. The lyrics and the music are written by Sirusho. At the end of February she was invited to Malta as a special guest to perform at the Maltese Eurovision selection. During the visit she appeared on local television shows and took part in the Maltese annual charity, performing Havatum em.

Sirusho's fourth official studio album, Havatum em, was released in mid-2010 along with new singles. The album includes previously released songs Erotas, the title track, Time to Pray, new songs, and songs she had written for the Armenian national final for Eurovision 2008. During an interview in Malta with esctoday.com, Sirusho was asked whether she would return to the Eurovision Song Contest; she said if people and her fanbase want her to, she will return to represent Armenia again.

In 2010 Sirusho wrote the song “Судьба Зима” for a famous Russian singer Grigory Leps. On September 9, 2011, the first single from Sirusho's upcoming studio album, "I Like It", was released on iTunes. The video was released on 11 November that year.[21] On December 3, Sirusho was special guest in Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 held in Yerevan. She performed Qélé, Qélé Remix version.[22]

On December 10, 2012, Sirusho unveiled the new single "PreGomesh", a dance track she wrote. The song was inspired by an Armenian folk song "Lorva Gutanerg", which was preserved by Komitas. The video gave birth to a new wave of cultural revolution in Armenia, reviving Armenian traditions and presenting them in a modern way. Both the song and the video became popular in many countries .[23]

2013–present: Continued career

Sirusho and Sakis Rouvas announced they were to record and release a duet song "See" in October 2013.[24] In 2014, she was nominated for The Best Armenian Singer, The Best Armenian Song and The Best Armenian Music Video at World Music Awards. Mixing traditions of different generations, Sirusho released the remake of "Tariner" (Armenian: Տարիներ) ("Years") with her compatriot Harout Pamboukjian. On November 9 Sirusho's first solo concert took place at Nokia Theater, Los Angeles, U.S.

In 2015 Sirusho released new song "Kga Mi Or"[25] ("Where Were You"[26]) dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. The song was released in Armenian and English, and both versions were available on iTunes. She also released a video[27] for the song. At the end of 2015 Sirusho released a new single "Mi Togh Indz Menak" (Do Not Leave Me Alone).

In 2016 Sirusho performed a new song "Mi Togh Indz Menak"[28] In August 2016 she performed live at Barclaycard Arena in Hamburg, Germany, and was announced as the Best Armenian Female Act at Daf BAMA Music Awards and performed Qele Qele (Remix version).[29][30] In the same month Sirusho announced the upcoming release of her new album called ""Armat" ("Roots") that would represent the Armenian culture.[31] In 2017 Sirusho released a new summer hit song "Vuy Aman" together with Armenian-American singer, songwriter, Sebu Simonian of the Capital Cities band.[32] She performed at the opening ceremony of the 2019 CONIFA European Football Cup in the de facto Republic of Artsakh.[33]

Discography

Albums

Release Year	Album Title
2000	Sirusho
2005	Sheram
2007	Hima
2010	Havatum Em
2016	Armat

Singles

Year	Title
2005	Shorora (Armenian: Շորորա)
2005	Sery Mer (Armenian: Սերը Մեր)
2006	Mayrik (Armenian: Մայրիկ)
2006	Heranum em (Armenian: Հեռանում եմ)
2007	Hima (Armenian: Հիմա)
2007	Arjani e (Armenian: Արժանի է) (featuring Sofi Mkheyan)
2007	Mez Vochinch Chi Bajani (Armenian: Մեզ ոչինչ չի բաժանի)
2008	Qélé, Qélé (produced by DerHova)
2009	Erotas
2009	Time to Pray (featuring Boaz Mauda and Jelena Tomasevic)
2010	Havatum Em (Armenian: Հավատում եմ)
2011	I Like It
2012	PreGomesh
2013	See (featuring Sakis Rouvas)
2014	Antarber Ashkhar (Armenian: Անտարբեր Աշխարհ)
2014	Alphabit (featuring with Arsen Grigoryan)
2014	Tariner (Armenian: Տարիներ) (featuring Harout Pamboukjian)
2015	Where were you (Armenian: Կգա մի օր)
2016	Mi togh indz Menak (Armenian: Մի թող ինձ մենակ)
2016	Zartonq (Armenian: Զարթոնք)
2016	Der Zor
2017	Vuy Aman (Armenian: Վույ Աման)
2019	Tightrope Walking
2019	Summer Love: Vuy Aman
2019	Zoma Zoma
2020	Yare Mardun Yara Kuta (Armenian: Յարը Մարդուն Յարա Կուտա)

Awards

Year	Award	Category	City	Result
2003	Armenian National Music Awards	The Future of Armenian Music	Yerevan	Won
2004	Krunk Awards	Best Female Artist	Yerevan	Won
2005	Voske Qnar Awards	Best Song – "Sery mer"	Yerevan	Won
2005	Armenian National Music Awards	Best Album of the Year – "Shorora"	Yerevan	Won
2005	Armenian National Music Award	Best Female Artist of the Year	Yerevan	Won
2005	Annual Armenian-Russian Diaspora Music Awards (Tashir 2005)	Best Female Artist of the Year	Moscow	Won
2006	Annual Armenian-Russian Diaspora Music Award (Tashir 2006)	Best Female Artist of the Year	Moscow	Won
2006	Annual MCLUB AMVA Awards	Best Music Video" – "Mayrik"	United States	Won
2007	Armenian Music Awards (Anush)	Best Female Artist of the Year	United States	Won
2007	Top 10 Awards	Best Video" – "Hima"	Yerevan	Won
2007	Yes Magazine Awards	Princess of Armenian Music	Yerevan	Won
2007	Voske Qnar Awards	"Best Song" – "Heranum em"	Yerevan	Won
2008	Top 10 Awards	Best Music Video" – "Qele Qele"	Yerevan	Won
2008	Eurovision Song Contest	Eurovision Fan Award	Belgrade	Won
2008	Armenian National Music Awards	Best Female Artist of the Year	Yerevan	Won
2009	Annual Armenian-Russian Diaspora Music Award (Tashir 2009)	Best International Armenian Singer	Moscow	Won
2010	Armenian National Music Awards	Best Song – "Havatum Em"	Yerevan	Won
2010	Armenian National Music Awards	Best-Selling Album – "Havatum Em"	Yerevan	Won
2010	Luxury Awards	Best Singer" & "Best Media Star	Yerevan	Won
2010	Annual Armenian-Russian Diaspora Music Award (Tashir 2010)	Special award for spreading the Armenian music in Europe	Moscow	Won
2011	Van Music Awards	Special Award for Song	Yerevan	Won
2012	The Armenian Pulse Music Award	Best Female Artist		Won
2013	The Armenian Music Awards	Best Performance – PreGomesh	Yerevan	Won
2013	World Armenian Entertainment Awards	Queen of Armenian Pop Music	LA, United States	Won[34]
2014	The World Music Awards	World's Best Female Artist	Monte Carlo	Nominated[35]
2014	The World Music Awards	World's Best Song PreGomesh	Monte Carlo	Nominated[35]
2014	The World Music Awards	World's Best Music Video – "PreGomesh"	Monte Carlo	Nominated[35]
2015	Armenian Pulse Music Awards	Best Duet (with Harout Pamboukjian)	Yerevan	Won
2016	DAF Bama Music Awards	The Best Armenian Female Act	Hamburg, Germany	Won[29]
2016	STARS WORLD Entertainment Awards	Best female singer of the decade	Yerevan	Won
2016	Pan Armenian Entertainment Awards	Preacher of national values	LA	Won
2017	Armenian Europe Music Awards	Best Female Artist of the Year	France, Paris	Won
2018	Swallow Music Awards	Special Award	Yerevan	Won
2019	Distinctive International Arab Festivals Awards	Special Award	Dubai, UAE	Won
2019	Beirut International Awards Festivals	Special Prize	Beirut, Lebanon	Won

Filmography and television

Year	Film & TV	Role	Notes
2008	Eurovision Song Contest 2008	Herself	4th place
2017	Benefis	Herself	Episode: Avet Barseghyan

Notes and references

1. "Bio". Sirusho's Official Website. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
2. "Eurovision 2008 – Armenia". BBC. Archived from the original on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
3. "Top 10: Most memorable spokespersons in ESC history | ESC Views". escviews.wordpress.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
4. Eurovision Song Contest – Armenia Archived November 18, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
5. "X Factor Greece-Cyprus Clip", Youtube Archived October 24, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
6. "Handmade sterling silver ethnic jewelry PreGomesh by Sirusho – Pregomesh". pregomesh.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
7. "Sirusho represented in 3 nominations at World Music Awards | ARMENPRESS Armenian News Agency". armenpress.am. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
8. "The door is still open for Sirusho: W Magazine | ARMENPRESS Armenian News Agency". armenpress.am. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
9. "International Pop Stars: The Beyoncé of Brazil, the Gaga of Serbia | W Magazine". wmagazine.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
10. "Սիրուշոն ՀՀ Վաստակավոր Արթուր Բաղիրյանի Քաձի կոչում է ստացել". Life.tert.am. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
11. "Armenia: Sirusho's song selected tonight". Eurovision.tv. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
12. "Սիրուշո [Sirusho]" (in Armenian). AV Production. Retrieved 28 December 2013.
13. "Այսօր Սիրուշոյի ծննդյան օրն է". ArmStar. hy. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
14. "Music – Music News, New Songs, Videos, Music Shows and Playlists from MTV". Mtv.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
15. "Sirusho feat Sofi Mkheyan - Arjani E || Music of Armenia - YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
16. "Parkerad hos Loopia". 2 March 2016. Archived from the original on 2 March 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
17. Shegrikyan, Zaven (2009-04-01). "Armenia: Sirusho's video in greek released!". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 2009-04-02. Retrieved 1 April 2009.
18. "Sirusho – Erotas Ksafnikos (Tashir Armenian Awards 2009)", ESCToday Archived 2009-07-05 at the Wayback Machine
19. n:Past Eurovision contestants give advice to this year's performers, speculate on who will win
20. "In a fairytale wedding, a talented pop singer marries a president's son". The Armenian Reporter. 12 June 2009. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
21. "SIRUSHO NEW ! – I Like It (Official Music Video) HD 2011". YouTube. 11 November 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
22. "Sirusho Qéle Qéle 2011 Live Performance @ Junior Eurovision". ArmenianPule. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
23. "Sirusho presented her new song –"PreGomesh"". 1in.am. 10 December 2012. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2013.
24. "Sirusho and Sakis record "See" together | News | Eurovision Song Contest". eurovision.tv. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
25. "Kga Mi Or" – Single by Sirusho". 24 April 2015.
26. "Where Were You" – Single by Sirusho". 24 April 2015.
27. "Sirusho – Kga Mi Or (Where Were You)". 24 April 2015.
28. "Sirusho - Mi Togh Indz Menak | Սիրուշո - Մի Թող Ինձ Մենակ - YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
29. "Facebook". web.facebook.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
30. "Daf Bama Music Awards 2016. Sirusho -Qele qele (Remix) - YouTube". youtube.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
31. "Redirecting..." web.facebook.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
32. "From LAX to Yerevan: Armenia's Sirusho flies in Grammy nominated Sebu for "Vuy Aman"". Wiwibloggs.com. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
33. Jensen, Olaf. "The CONIFA Sportsbet.io CONIFA European Football Cup 2019 opens in style in Stepanakert". CONIFA. Retrieved 2020-03-18.
34. "World Armenian Entertainment Awards Set for May 11 | Asbarez.com". asbarez.com. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
35. "Sirusho represented in 3 nominations at World Music Awards | ARMENPRESS Armenian News Agency". armenpress.am. Retrieved 12 September 2016.

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Hayko with Anytime You Need	Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008	Succeeded by Inga and Anush with Jan Jan