Mari Harutyunyan is one of two Armenian participants of the Voice of Germany. Together with Iveta Mukuchyan, Mari overcame the blind audition and was included in Xavier’s team. NEWS.am STYLE contacted Mari to learn more about her participation in a popular song contest.
Mari, please tell abut yourself. Where were you born? Where did your ancestors come from?
I am Mari, I am 19 years old and I love to sing and dance. I like Latin dances like salsa but I also dance in an Armenian folklore group called “Hrashq”. Furthermore I sing in the church choir of our Armenian community in Nuremberg where I live. I started singing when I was 9 years old and had a couple of little gigs here and there for example on commemoration ceremonies for Hrant Dink or in little clubs.
I was born in Schwerin, a city in Northern Germany, but my parents come from Armenia. One thing I am very proud of is that I am related to the famous painter Ivan Aivazovsky. He was my great grandfather.
Where did you learn Armenian?
I speak fluently Armenian and learned it from my parents, since it is my mother language. Speaking Armenian at home is important to us. Moreover I am able to read and write Armenian.
What are your expectations from your participation in The Voice of Germany? What prospects is the contest opening up for you as a singer? What style in music do you prefer?
Actually I really don’t know what to expect at all. In the first place I just feel much honored that the complete jury turned around for me simultaneously after a couple of seconds, although all of their teams were already full. And as I was the last contestant of the “Blind Audition” phase my expectation was not very high. With my participation in The Voice of Germany I hope to be able to establish myself as a professional singer, to go on stage and just sing for the audience.
This is my dream. I love to be just on stage and to sing. I don’t really have one specific style of music which I prefer. I like to sing everything from Beyonce, to Etta James and I also love to sing Armenian songs like Dle Yaman.
You are in the same group with other Armenian participant Iveta Mukuchyan. Did you manage to communicate and share some words in Armenian?
Yes, that is right. I am in the same team with Iveta. Sure, we also conversed together in Armenian.
Have you even been to Armenia? Are you planning to come in the near future?
Of course I have been to Armenia. My cousins, my aunt and my grandfather live there and I went to visit them with my family. But I have no concrete plans yet when I will visit Armenia again as I have to see how my life here goes on with my study and I don't know what will come next. But certainly I will visit Armenia again in the future.
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