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    Categories: 2018

AGBU Marks the Loss of Charles Aznavour, Pride of the Armenian Nation

AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Website: www.agbu.org

PRESS RELEASE

Monday, October 1, 2018

AGBU MARKS THE LOSS OF CHARLES AZNAVOUR, PRIDE OF THE ARMENIAN NATION

One of the most universally celebrated vocalists and lyricists of his times, 
94-year old Charles Aznavour passed away on October 1st at his home in 
Alpilles, France. While the world mourns the loss of this legendary entertainer 
whose love ballads captured the hearts of music lovers across the world, 
Aznavour, born Shahnour Varinag Aznavourian to Armenian genocide survivors, 
will remain a national treasure not only to his native France but also to the 
Armenian Nation. For many years, he stood apart as the quintessential Armenian 
success story, rising from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of international 
fame. Yet he never seemed to forget his ancestral ties and always found ways to 
give back to the Armenian people as both a cultural icon, humanitarian and 
diplomat. 

Considered a national hero in Armenia, Aznavour leveraged his international 
stature in its behalf, beginning with the 1988 earthquake and later serving as 
Armenia's ambassador to Switzerland. He further cemented his legacy by 
establishing the Aznavour Foundation, dedicated to social and cultural projects 
that inspire youth. Just last May, he stated his solidarity for Armenia's 
Velvet Revolution, signaling that he was still engaged and inspired, despite 
his failing health.  

Even in the last chapters of his life, Aznavour continued to dazzle the world 
with his original brand of romantic ballads and songs, playing to sold-out 
audiences well into his ninth decade. In 2017, he was honored with a star on 
the Hollywood Walk of Fame and, this year, was scheduled to perform live in 
Armenia at the 2018 Francophonie Summit, hosted in Erevan starting next week. 

In a recent exclusive interview conducted by AGBU News magazine in July of this 
year, Aznavour insisted that he had no intention of retiring. "I will continue 
to perform on stage as I once wrote, 'as long as my heart beats! (Laughs). To 
read the full interview, visit agbu.org/news-item/frances-favorite-son. 

President of AGBU Berge Setrakian, speaking on behalf of the global 
organization as well as on a personal note, remarked that "Charles Aznavour's 
amazing professional accomplishments will be chronicled and celebrated for many 
days and weeks to come. But it is his genuine spirit of compassion and instinct 
for connecting with the masses on an emotional level that makes every Armenian 
stand prouder knowing he is one of our own.  While his passing may seem sudden, 
he was blessed with a long and fortunate life, which he filled to capacity 
bringing joy, solace and hope to others. Charles Aznavour was a force of nature 
that shall not pass this way again."
 
Established in 1906, AGBU is the world's largest non-profit Armenian 
organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU preserves and promotes the 
Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian 
programs, annually touching the lives of some 500,000 Armenians around the 
world. For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit 
www.agbu.org.

Nyrie Kalashian: