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Aida Sargsian on motherhood by Vahram Stepanyan The birth of a child tends to interrupt careers, especially women’s careers. Armenian pop stars are no exception. The popular singer Aida Sargsian has devoted the last six months to the care of her newborn daughter. She responded to this observation. Aida Sargsian: Any woman, after giving birth, needs some time to readjust physically. For a singer, there’s also the matter of restoring her voice. I gave birth on January 6 in the United States, and returned to Armenia three months later. I had one or two recitals and found that I was having a hard time performing. When I was pregnant, I gave three-hour-long solo performances. So I decided to remain silent for a while until I found my voice again. Thank God, I think my voice is back and I am preparing to continue my recording work. Vahram Stepanyan: Did you have a difficult birth? AS: Not at all. With the support of my excellent obstetrician, Kevin Galstyan, I had a very good birth experience. My silence is a strictly physiological issue, which will go away with time. Just as I will regain my figure over time. [Smiles.] I have no complexes about having put on some weight during pregnancy; that’s perfectly normal. But walking down the street, I occasionally hear women say, “Aida has put on quite a few pounds,” as if they haven’t had any children! Giving birth in America VS: You have been on the road a lot. They haven’t seen you in a while. Did it just so happen that you were in the United States for your daughter’s birth, or had you planned it that way? AS: There were no special plans. The child could have come earlier or later, when I would be back here. Before my last trip, the U.S. Consulate warned me that if I gave birth in the United States, I would have to cover all the costs; if the state were saddled with the costs, the doors of the United States would be permanently closed to me in the future. VS: Is giving birth in the United States an expensive proposition? AS: Quite. And that’s even though my doctor kindly agreed to forgo his fee. He could have artificially required me to stay longer in the birth clinic, which would have cost me a lot of money, and he didn’t do that. Continued on page 15 Aida Sargsian. Photo: Vigen Mnoyan. 14 Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture | August 22, 2009
Aida Sargsian on motherhood Continued from page 14 But my doctor was decent, and my baby chose to come to this world without complications, and the whole thing cost me a less than I had feared. Professional rivalries VS: It is no secret that you and other members of Armenia’s show business elite are not close. Which of your colleagues congratulated you on becoming a mother? AS: Well, whoever was in the United States at the time, including Naira Ter-Karapetyan, came to visit. A group of singers who came to Los Angeles for an awards ceremony came to visit. And I got many international phone calls. VS: You stayed in the United States for theee months to get the baby’s citizenship papers in order? AS: No. The paperwork was taken care of quickly. The only thing that took time was that I needed a formal paper from my husband, who was in Armenia, acknowledging paternity. I stayed three months on my doctor’s advice to hold off on flying with the newborn. Frequent flyer VS: Did she take the flight well? AS: Quite. She was already a frequent flyer in utero, you see? [Smiles.] She probably also understood that they were waiting for her impatiently in Yerevan. VS: I take it the reception in Yerevan was impressive. AS: Oh, my husband had organized a spectacular reception. If you wrote a scenario, it wouldn’t have been so great. Before we walked into the airport terminal, my husband Arshak was there with a bouquet of flowers. It was an intimate moment, because no one was there but us and one or two airport workers. Then we came out and saw all the relatives. Home was decorated with balloons and toys. In the yard, there were fireworks in the baby’s honor. The only thing was that the child slept through the whole thing! Her father was impatient for her to wake up and open her eyes, so they could become acquainted. In any case, I was surprised by the reception and expected something more modest. Family matters VS: Just as your wedding was fairly low key? Even though you are a public figure, your wedding was not a big spectacle. AS: Yes, we had a smallish reception surrounded by relatives. Because of my husband’s work, he does not welcome too much attention. [He works in the security apparatus.] His work also makes it difficult for him to leave the country too often. I wish he could accompany me more often on my tours. VS: Who helps you care for your baby? AS: Sona-Lana – named in honor of her two grandmothers – is a very relaxed child, and caring for her is not especially challenging. At my husband’s home, of course, his relatives help. And when we go to see my mother, she does not put her granddaughter down. Entourage VS: Have you thought about childcare while you tour? AS: My mother will probably accompany us. I have invitations to Paris and Berlin for the fall. I think my mother and my daughter will accompany me. That is the suggestion of the inviting party, people from Gyumri who have long lived in Europe. Since I appeared on stage last fall as an expectant mother, they wish to see me come with my child. VS: That won’t bother you? AS: On the contrary, it will help. My mother has traveled with me often before. That gives me a sense of security and confidence. Fate and business VS: Now that you have a U.S. citizen in the family, you have new possibilities for places to live and create. AS: I have never thought about living elsewhere. Of course, you never know what the future will bring. In my teen years, I didn’t think about being a singer. I pursued swimming seriously. I did other sports. I studied nursing. I thought about being an athlete, a doctor, or a lawyer – though my relatives noticed my talent in singing and dancing. Time showed that I was destined to be a singer. And now it is difficult to say what fate holds for my future. VS: Let’s hope your new business will join fate in keeping you in Armenia. How is the construction of your resort at Lake Sevan coming along? AS: The first floor – the restaurant – is finished. But I have frozen construction because there were bureaucratic problems and there’s the financial crisis. I think I will resume construction next year. But it would be better if I found a partner for this business venture. If I don’t, I’ll eventually make it happen myself. No rush. Aida Sargsian with Sona-Lana. Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture | August 22, 2009 15
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