The triumphant journey of the “Symphonic Folk: The Epic Sound of Armenia” concert by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and music producer Serouj Baghdassarian (C-Rouge) continues. The music, which was first premiered in July 2025, has become, for many, a reminder of the Armenian people's genetic code, and for others, an anthem of returning to their roots. In a short period of time, Symphonic Folk has become not only a highly successful concert eagerly awaited by audiences around the world, but also the beginning of a new chapter in Serouj's relationship with his homeland, Armenia.
 

Serouj was born in Beirut and grew up in an Armenian environment. Armenian language and music were always present at home, while Lebanon—home to one of the world's strongest Armenian communities—provided every opportunity for local Armenians to preserve their identity.
 

“Back then, it wasn't easy to visit Armenia, but at home we always spoke about our homeland—Armenia.”
 

Serouj is a self-taught musician. The inspiration for his first work came from the film Ararat and the song Krunk. The sound of the duduk inspired him to reinterpret the melody in a different style.
 

"I arranged it and introduced it to Lebanese youth—both Armenians and Arabs. People loved it, and it quickly spread. Encouraged by its success, I continued working and over the next few years released three albums: Genotrancide, Eternity, and Guardian Angel. On the last album, I collaborated extensively with musicians from Armenia.
 

Almost all of the pieces were arrangements of Armenian folk melodies. My goal was to present them in a new, more contemporary format so that people who wouldn't normally listen to their traditional interpretations could still discover them and, in doing so, come a little closer to Armenian culture."
 

As the music industry evolved, Serouj shifted from releasing albums to producing individual singles. He continued living in Lebanon while traveling internationally as a DJ, including frequent visits to Yerevan. However, nightlife never truly appealed to him, so he turned to composing music for documentaries while continuing to create arrangements.
 

"When “Daredevils of Sassoun” (Yarkhushta) became popular with audiences, I realized I was on the right path. Once I had completed seven or eight arrangements, I thought, 'Why not present this music live?' I wrote to Maestro Sergey Smbatyan, Artistic Director of the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra. It was the end of 2019. His response was positive—we met, but I only had enough music for a 30-minute concert while we needed a full hour, so I had to keep working. By then we had already bought a house in Armenia and were thinking about moving, although we hadn't made a final decision."
 

Soon after, COVID-19 began. Then, in August 2020, the Beirut Port explosion occurred. Serouj and his wife moved to Armenia, only for the war to begin a month later.
 

"We left a country where explosions happened every day and arrived in another country that soon found itself at war. We thought we were moving somewhere safer, but when it's your homeland that's at war, it's a completely different feeling. People in Lebanon urged us to return, but despite everything we felt safer in our homeland than being far away."
 

After the war, Serouj resumed work. It took four to five years to complete the program and prepare the concert with the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra.
 

The premiere took place in July 2025 and was a tremendous success. Because of the response, the orchestra and Serouj presented it again in March 2026.
 

"On July 11 we will perform the program at Koghb Vardavar. I'm incredibly happy about the success of our joint concert program and grateful to receive messages from people all over the world. Many have invited us abroad, but this is a very large-scale project involving many musicians. We're trying to find a way to tour with it, perhaps by collaborating with local orchestras."
 

Serouj notes that many attendees at the first Symphonic Folk concert came from the Armenian diaspora, making the evening especially meaningful as it united Armenians from around the world with those living in Armenia under one roof. Since then, he has continued to receive letters from across the globe expressing renewed hope for Armenia's future and a stronger connection to its culture.
 

"I poured into this music exactly what I feel. It's sincere, and I believe that's the secret to its success. Most importantly, it helps people feel closer to Armenia and more deeply connected to its culture. Perhaps for some, it has even become an anthem of repatriation."
 

For Serouj himself, Symphonic Folk became the foundation of a new life in his homeland. Although his wife currently teaches Armenian at a school in Beirut and the family is temporarily divided between two countries, his professional life is now rooted in Armenia.
 

"Life here has its challenges, just like anywhere else. Ours are simply different. I chose to face those challenges, and I chose to remain Armenian. I hope my wife will soon return, that our family will grow here, and that our children will be raised in their homeland. Culture gives you a sense of belonging, and that makes you stronger."
 

Interview by Nare Bejanyan

Translation via AI based on the original article in Russian:  Symphonic Folk – гимн возвращения к корням Серужа Багдасаряна