June 9 was not simply a calendar date within the walls of the Mesrobian High School, but a day of profound dialogue woven around cultural issues and identity. A former student of our school, now an internationally renowned musician and instrumentalist, Serouj Baghdassarian (known as C-rouge), returned to his beloved school to meet with the students of the high school students.

A sense of pride in Mesrobian was felt by everyone, considering the fact that, as a person educated in a Lebanese-Armenian school and in a Lebanese-Armenian environment, he had been able to bridge the Diaspora tradition, gaining recognition on a Pan-Armenian and international level. This visit was a source of inspiration for the students, proving that art is a weapon, and loyalty to one’s roots is a guarantee of success.

At the beginning of the meeting, a video about Serouj’s activities was presented. Serouj Baghdassarian’s life story is unique in its kind. His professional path can be summarized with the following points:

Professional world: For Serouj, music, as surprising as it may seem, is his main “hobby”. His main profession and daily work are in the fields of design and programming.

Self-taught talent: He has no formal musical education. As a self-taught artist and a person raised in a musical family, he creates with an exceptional sense of hearing which allows him to break free from classical molds and create new horizons.

For the Sake of Homeland: About six years ago, he took a bold step, sacrificing his established career and secure life in Lebanon in order to finally establish himself in the Homeland and get closer to the Armenian world of music.

The meeting was centered around a question-and-answer session between Serouj and the students. Serouj’s approach to Armenian music is based on software programs. According to him, if old songs remain only museum pieces or are limited to classical performances, they are doomed to oblivion. Giving them “new wings,” through electronic or symphonic arrangements, is the only way for Armenian songs to become competitive in the global market.

The majority of his listeners are young people in their 20s and 30s, which proves the correctness of the path he has chosen. His adaptation of Komitas’ “Krunk” has made many foreigners interested in the duduk for the first time. However, even in this innovation, Serouj maintains a deep humility towards the great masters.

Recently, Serouj Baghdassarian’s collaboration with the State Symphony Orchestra of Armenia has given rise to the “symphonic folk” style. During the conversation with the students, he touched upon several key works of that genre.

As a programmer, Serouj is open to innovations. He told how he experimentally used artificial intelligence (AI) to rework a rock song and was amazed by the result. His message was clear: use technology as an auxiliary tool, but preserve the human spirit.

A neat artistic program was implemented at the meeting. Mesrobian’s Principal, Mr. Gregoire Kaloust, spoke, noting that the example of Serouj Baghdassarian embodies perfectly the mission of Mesrobian High School: to create the image of a progressive Armenian who masters both modern sciences and remains firmly attached to his national roots. The Principal honored Serouj with a special Mesrobian badge and a souvenir in appreciation of his activities in spreading Armenian national music. Our school continues to be proud of its students, who turn Armenian culture into a living force, resounding it from the highest stages of the world. Serouj’s visit reminded us all that Armenian music is not dead, but awaits courageous hands that will give it a new leap of life and immortality.

See the pictures here: Serouj Baghdassarian's Visit to Mesrobian