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IZMIR BORN FRENCH-ARMENIAN SINGER, AZNAVOUR CELEBRATES HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY
Daily Sabah, Turkey
May 23 2014
Daily Sabah
ISTANBUL -- Famous tenor Charles Aznavour, who has written more than
1,000 songs and about 100 records, turned 90 yesterday. The singer,
songwriter, actor and diplomat, sometimes referred to as France's
Frank Sinatra, Aznavour is still going strong at old age and touring.
Along with his fame as a musician, which includes his versions of
Armenian songs such as "Im Yare," he is a political activist working
to promote human rights. He is also the cofounder of the charity
named Aznavour which was formed to serve Armenians. Born in İzmir,
Aznavour has been misunderstood by both Armenians and Turks alike
and his objective stance has made him a target.
"I was first interested in the Armenian issue after the 1960s when I
was in my 40s. I wrote a song named "Ils ont tombé" to commemorate
the deceased Armenians. Turkey condemned me for this song. They drew
a red cross on my photo in newspapers," says Aznavour and adds "I was
surprised and said, 'Please listen to the song once only.' I paid
attention not to refer to Turkey or Turkish people in my song." In
various previous interviews with him, he also talks about use of
the word "genocide." Noting the importance of recognizing historical
facts he said on many occasions that he is not bothered by Turkish
people referring to the Armenian incident as a "massacre."
http://www.dailysabah.com/music/2014/05/23/izmir-born-frencharmenian-singer-aznavour-celebrates-his-90th-birthday
Daily Sabah, Turkey
May 23 2014
Daily Sabah
ISTANBUL -- Famous tenor Charles Aznavour, who has written more than
1,000 songs and about 100 records, turned 90 yesterday. The singer,
songwriter, actor and diplomat, sometimes referred to as France's
Frank Sinatra, Aznavour is still going strong at old age and touring.
Along with his fame as a musician, which includes his versions of
Armenian songs such as "Im Yare," he is a political activist working
to promote human rights. He is also the cofounder of the charity
named Aznavour which was formed to serve Armenians. Born in İzmir,
Aznavour has been misunderstood by both Armenians and Turks alike
and his objective stance has made him a target.
"I was first interested in the Armenian issue after the 1960s when I
was in my 40s. I wrote a song named "Ils ont tombé" to commemorate
the deceased Armenians. Turkey condemned me for this song. They drew
a red cross on my photo in newspapers," says Aznavour and adds "I was
surprised and said, 'Please listen to the song once only.' I paid
attention not to refer to Turkey or Turkish people in my song." In
various previous interviews with him, he also talks about use of
the word "genocide." Noting the importance of recognizing historical
facts he said on many occasions that he is not bothered by Turkish
people referring to the Armenian incident as a "massacre."
http://www.dailysabah.com/music/2014/05/23/izmir-born-frencharmenian-singer-aznavour-celebrates-his-90th-birthday