Professor Serafim Seppälä Discusses Philosophy of Genocide in the Lyrics of System of a Down

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YEREVAN, Armenia – On April 17, 2015, the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted Professor Serafim Seppälä for a talk on the ‘Philosophy of Genocide in the Lyrics of System of a Down (SOAD).’ The event was organized by the AUA Alumni Club with an introduction by club representative Nvard Chalikyan. The talk was part of the 1915 Centennial Series at AUA.

Professor Seppälä presented his latest study on the popular Armenian-American rock band, System of a Down, whose lyrics have been credited with spreading the word about the Armenian Genocide among their listeners, many of whom are not Armenian. He analyzed several songs that were clearly written about the genocide, including ‘Pluck,’ ‘Holy Mountains,’ ‘Soldier Side,’ and more. Professor Seppälä commented on how many of SOAD’s lyrics represent the genocide-based identity of the Armenian diaspora.

Serafim Seppälä is a Professor of Systematic Theology and Patristics at University of Eastern Finland and an Orthodox monk. He has written a number of books on Armenian culture and history in Finnish, among them: East of Ararat (2007), Cultural Heritage of the Armenian Genocide (2011), and Silenced Voices (2015). He has studied Armenian history and culture for many years and has visited many times. Professor Seppälä calls Armenia the home of his soul and considers it the last corner of the Middle Eastern cultures where the old Christian tradition is still preserved.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.

Professor Serafim Seppälä discusses the philosophy of genocide in the lyrics of System of a Down.

Professor Seppälä presented his latest study on the popular Armenian-American rock band, System of a Down, whose lyrics have been credited with spreading the word about the Armenian Genocide among their listeners, many of whom are not Armenian.