Greece: Armenian singer passes away

Sunday, August 9th, 2009 @ 12:15 UTC
by Onnik Krikorian

Unknown to most Armenians, but loved by many Kurds for his songs sung
in the Kurmanji dialect of Kurdish, Aram Tigran has passed away in
Athens, Greece. Born in 1934 in Syria, Tigran’s death has affected
many, and not least those recognizing the important contribution he
made as a cultural bridge between Armenians and Kurds. On 7 August,
Kurdistan and Hayastan – Hand in Hand reported that Tigran had been
rushed to hospital.

Aram Tigran, the famous Kurdish singer of Armenian origin, have been
rushed to the hospital and there is almost no information on Tigrans
condition.

His family were survivors of the Armenian Genocide and he is
considered among the best of contemporary Kurdish singers and
musicians.

The following day, Facebook status line updates passed on news that
the singer had died. Gurgin, a blogger of both Armenian and Kurdish
origin, posted details (translation by Google with some editing for
English).

The famous Kurdish singer of Armenian origin was driven yesterday to
the emergency room in Athens, 07.30 time, his health serious. He was
immediately BRAIN DEAD and lost consciousness altogether. Outside Van
Gelismos hospital in Athens, as hundreds of faithful fans gathered in
support, several well-known artists from Europe and America took the
first flight to Greece to see his friends. Tigran’s body has now been
transferred to Amed in northern Kurdistan (Diyarbakir, Turkey) where
he will now be buried. []

I have today spoken with his relatives and I understand that they do
not want to comment on the incident, he left two daughters and a son
who probably will always be defined by their father.

[]

The music he created has taken root in several million people’s hearts
in the Middle East, but the implicit messages he sent has never really
taken root in people’s thoughts and actions.

I, as half Armenian and half Kurdish, for some time identified myself
with Aram who worked as a bridge between the Kurdish and Armenian
people.

I truly believe that he alone has brought together two peoples, using
his Armenian background and their Kurdish vote.

/greece-armenian-singer-passes-away/

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress