"Aznavour Inédit. La vie selon Charles" / A Journey Through Aznavour's Unseen Thoughts and Confessions (Video)

The "Aznavour Inédit. La vie selon Charles" book features excerpts from thousands of Aznavour’s interviews, capturing the essence of his unique worldview. Translated into Armenian by Samvel Gasparyan, this anthology offers an intimate glimpse into the chansonnier’s thoughts, enriched with visuals that bring his words to life. 

"Newmag Publishing has long been committed to preserving Aznavour’s literary legacy. Over the years, we’ve published volumes of his poetry, songs, autobiographies, and short stories. This new anthology allows us to hear Aznavour’s voice in a different way—through his reflections in interviews. It offers a fuller understanding of his personality, beyond his art."

Gasparyan shared a striking moment from Aznavour’s life:

“In one of his last interviews, when asked to write one defining word, many expected him to write “love”. Instead, he wrote “work”—a testament to his tireless dedication."

Hasmik Arakelyan, the book's editor, highlighted the anthology’s richness.

“Aznavour’s life was extraordinary. The interviews are divided into thematic sections, such as his approach to business, where he humorously claimed, 'I am a poet, artist, and author—I don’t do business.' There’s a segment where he compares himself to Maria Callas and even calls himself the Don Quixote of French chanson. Another fascinating section delves into his sense of fashion, which was an integral part of his persona. Many of the photos included are unpublished, offering readers a fresh perspective on Aznavour's life."

The anthology was created with the Aznavour Foundation as its main partner. According to Tatevik Ghazaryan, the foundation's director of marketing and communication, the team carefully selected interviews in multiple languages to capture Aznavour’s multifaceted character.

"Aznavour often said he was like coffee with milk—inseparably French and Armenian. Some quotes were challenging to translate, but Samvel Gasparyan did an excellent job capturing their essence. The book is divided into sections covering his roots, Armenia, music, work, and family. His words about Armenia, spoken during the 1990s, resonate with remarkable relevance today. He spoke with tenderness about his parents and family, and his deep insights are timeless."

“In the 1990s, as Aznavour became more active in Armenia's affairs, he openly spoke about the threat posed by Azerbaijan and Turkey—a sentiment that feels strikingly relevant today. In the book, readers will discover the deep affection with which the chansonnier spoke of his mother, father, and family. Aznavour authored fourteen books in total, all of which have been translated into Armenian by Newmag, offering a rare opportunity for Armenian readers to truly get to know Aznavour in his own words.”