PARENTAL GIFT

For Vladimir Parsan, the concept of homeland begins with cherished childhood memories on Youth Friendship Street (now Atatürk Avenue), near the Ganjlik metro station in Baku. It was here that he attended secondary school No. 200, emerged as a national swimming champion, and concurrently nurtured his musical talents at the studio of the Azerbaijan State Conservatoire's music school under the tutelage of Saida Abramovna, mother of Murad Adygozalov. Today, Parsan is celebrated as a musician, composer, arranger, sound engineer, and recipient of the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (2012) and Music Sound Award (2015). He has crafted soundtracks for an extensive array of thematic videos, commercials, and documentaries throughout the Middle East, including the Abu Dhabi Awards, the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs Award Ceremony, the Dubai International Film Festival, and projects for renowned entities such as Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Emirates Holidays, Dubai Tourism, and the Jumeirah International Group, among others.

In 2011, Parsan's musical prowess extended to Bollywood, where he composed the score for the Indian film Sadda Adda, marking his debut as the first foreign composer in the industry.

As a globally recognized figure, he attributes his personal and professional growth to the foundational love of his parents for their son.

"They spared nothing for me—neither time, nor effort, nor resources..."

"Could you elaborate?"

"They fostered my physical development through sports, my intellectual growth via chess and reading, and my musical evolution through my affinity for string instruments. During the latter half of the 1980s, the piano reigned supreme; the conservatoire had yet to establish a string department..."

"Did your parents embrace your musical preference?"

"They surely did! My father purchased my first guitar. However, in the early '90s, when I yearned for an acoustic guitar—a costly aspiration at the time, available only through special order at a music shop on Zevin Street—I resorted to washing cars, having ceased attending school. While my decision may not have delighted my relatives, my mother understood and supported me, assuring everyone that I was diligently working towards my dream, not aimlessly wandering the city. Her stance commanded respect."

"And did this coveted guitar bring you good luck?"

"One might say so, though it's not entirely straightforward."

This sentiment resonated as a given truth. Those in Baku whose youth and adolescence spanned the nineties of the previous century fondly recall the popular rock band Shock. The long-haired, black-clad musicians swiftly captured the hearts of the city's residents and subsequently graced numerous international music festivals. As their zenith coincided with the dissolution of the USSR, Shock rapidly ventured into new musical realms. At the intersection of two eras, the band left an indelible mark at an international music festival in Türkiye, impressing not only fellow participants but also industry connoisseurs, including representatives from Saudi Arabia. It is often said that destiny conspired to position the musicians at the right place and time. The band's professionalism, coupled with the distinctiveness of Vladimir's original compositions and arrangements, garnered acclaim and demand in the Emirates. Consequently, the Azerbaijani Ukrainian's surname adopted a Westernized pronunciation—Persan, with an 'e' and devoid of the soft sign.

"Vladimir, what significance does your last name hold?"

"The etymology eludes me, though its roots trace back to Sweden."

"Does it hint at a fascinating ancestral tale from Ukraine?"

"Not particularly. Maternally, my lineage hails from Kharkov province, while my paternal ancestors originate from Poltava province, home to settlements sharing our surname—not as kin, but merely as namesakes."

"Intriguing! So the Swedes have left their genetic imprint at Poltava?"

"It seems so. Admittedly, I hadn't pondered it until the West reacted to my surname with curiosity: 'Oh! Are you Swedish?' My consistent response affirms my identity as an Azerbaijani of Ukrainian descent."

"Despite residing in the Emirates for nearly a quarter-century and being sought after as a distinguished professional, you maintain your Azerbaijani citizenship?"

"Indeed, for this is my nation! It's mine, and I cherish it deeply. Not solely because it's where I was born and raised, or because it's the resting place of my ancestors and the home of my family and friends. The connection runs far deeper and more complex. I am bound to my homeland by an invisible, energetic lifeline that not only imbues my existence with meaning but also fuels my zest for life. Upon returning home, the very act of inhaling deeply upon disembarking the aircraft revitalises me, both physically and spiritually."

"So, the proverbial 'smoke of the Fatherland' is indeed sweet and pleasant to you, isn't it?"

"Precisely. I confess, I yearn for that distinctive aroma in the air, a scent from my childhood that no longer greets me upon arrival."

"Have you ever contemplated acquiring Ukrainian citizenship?"

"The thought has crossed my mind. Perhaps I would have entertained the notion had our laws permitted dual citizenship. However, such is not the case. Therefore, the idea of—forgive the expression—forsaking my homeland's citizenship is utterly abhorrent to me. The mere thought is repugnant."

As I listened, it became evident that before me stood a man living out his destiny as a composer. My engagement with him was not to dissect his oeuvre—that task falls to musicologists.

The contributions of individuals with the creative breadth of Vladimir Parsan to the world merit a separate discourse. Indeed, not merely a narrative but a comprehensive study, both scientific and esoteric. My interest lies in Parsan as a person for whom the terms Motherland, Fatherland, and country retain their profound, original essence.