Artsvik
Who was Artsvik?
Armenian singer who represented Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "Fly with Me."
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Artsvik (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Artsvik Boriki Harutyunyan, known as Artsvik, is a Russian-Armenian singer and songwriter born on 21 October 1984 in Kapan, Syunik Province, Armenia. She has built a career in both the Armenian and Russian music scenes, using her cultural background to create a unique style that mixes folk influences with modern pop.
Artsvik studied at Moscow Pedagogical State University, which placed her in Russia's vibrant cultural and artistic environment. Her time in Moscow helped her develop her musical skills and exposed her to the influences of one of the world's most active music cities. This blend of Armenian tradition and Russian city culture shapes much of her work.
Her international recognition grew when she represented Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Her song, 'Fly with Me,' stood out for mixing Armenian folk music with modern production and was noted for its cultural authenticity. She finished 18th, competing against many entries from Europe and beyond.
Before Eurovision, Artsvik had gained a following through her recordings and live shows in Armenia and Russia. Her music often explores identity, heritage, and emotion, connecting with listeners who enjoy the mix of traditional Armenian music with modern pop and world music styles. She is seen as a voice that brings Armenian culture to international audiences.
After Eurovision, Artsvik continued to release music and perform, keeping her presence in the Armenian and Russian music scenes. Her career is similar to many artists from the South Caucasus who work between their home cultures and the larger Russian-speaking world, reaching audiences in both while creating a distinct identity.
Before Fame
Artsvik was born in 1984 in Kapan, a southern Armenian city known for its industrial setting and closeness to the Syunik mountains. Growing up during the late Soviet and post-Soviet era in Armenia meant she experienced significant political and social changes, including Armenia's independence in 1991 and the economic difficulties that followed. Despite these challenges, Armenian cultural life, including music, poetry, and folk traditions, remained a source of community identity and personal inspiration for many young Armenians of her generation.
She later moved to Moscow to study at Moscow Pedagogical State University, a path common among ambitious young people from the former Soviet republics looking for better educational and professional opportunities in Russia. During this time, her musical ambitions became clearer, as she developed her skills in a city with extensive recording facilities, a large Armenian community, and a competitive music industry that valued artists who could mix regional traditions with mainstream appeal.
Key Achievements
- Represented Armenia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv with the song 'Fly with Me,' finishing in 18th place
- Built a dual-market music career spanning both Armenia and Russia as a singer and songwriter
- Gained international recognition for blending Armenian folk musical traditions with contemporary pop production
- Graduated from Moscow Pedagogical State University, establishing a strong academic foundation alongside her artistic career
- Earned a platform as one of the notable Armenian musical voices to reach a pan-European audience through Eurovision
Did You Know?
- 01.Artsvik's Eurovision entry 'Fly with Me' incorporated Armenian duduk and folk vocal elements, making it one of the more ethnically distinctive entries in the 2017 contest.
- 02.She was born in Kapan, the administrative center of Armenia's southernmost province, Syunik, which borders both Iran and Azerbaijan.
- 03.Her full legal name, Artsvik Boriki Harutyunyan, includes the middle name Boriki, which is uncommon and reflects the naming traditions of her family.
- 04.She studied at Moscow Pedagogical State University, an institution originally founded in 1872, giving her education a grounding in one of Russia's oldest teacher-training traditions.
- 05.The name Artsvik means 'eagle' in Armenian, a word that carries strong symbolic weight in Armenian culture and mythology.