(Photo Credit: Ray Flotat)
System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian is raising awareness of former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, neighboring region of Armenia. Tankian was moved by the resilience of Armenian fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh.
The song is a political folk song that was written during a four day war in April. The songs focus is to protest what he describes as Azeri aggression, and voices support for the people of Artsakh.
“I do not believe in wars and ultimately borders but I deeply believe in self-determination and life without oppression. Therefore it is time for the world to recognize them as the Republic of Artaskh (Nagorno-Karabakh),” said Tankian during a Rolling Stone interview.
On April 2nd, violence broke out in the region. This was so intense, the President of Azerbaijan, called for the “immediate and unconditional withdrawal of Armenian Troops” from the territories. On April 5th, a cease fire was called, but the damage was already done. It was reported there were scores of deaths, and was the worst in the region since 1994.
This is not the first time Tankian has raised awareness for a cause he greatly supports. In 2015, he brought awareness of the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and forced Turkey to take responsibility of its wrong-doings.
Some translated lyrics from the song state:
The public mask of tradition,
The struggle for liberation or death,
The enemy’s gaze at your terrain,
Our smiles at your bosom,
At your bottomless will.
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