“In my dreams, for 20 years, I have been seeing Samarkand, not America.” Singer Safiya Saftarova on her life in emigration and her regrets

“For 20 years, I have been seeing Samarkand in my dreams, not America.” Singer Safiya Saftarova on her life in emigration and her regrets

Singer and Honored Artist of Uzbekistan Safiya Saftarova, known for her song “Vatan yagonadir” (The Homeland is One) and currently living and working in America, gave an interview to the “Izlarim” project. She spoke about how her interest in music began, her school years, and how she lived for many years longing for her hometown after coming to America.

“We were 10 children in the family”

We are five girls and five boys. I am the seventh child in the family. I sang for the first time in the first grade at a New Year's party, hoping to get a gift from Santa Claus. Everyone recited poems, but I sang Sultonposhsha Odayeva's song “Onajon” (Dear Mother). The neighbor girls arrived home before me and told my mother and brothers that Safiya sang at school. They made me sing at home too. My brother was studying in the field of art at that time, and he trained with me himself. Later, my father bought me a piano.

My grandparents and ancestors were also artists. My late mother really wanted me to be a singer; I fulfilled her dream. My father went to the Great Patriotic War at the age of 20, and after returning, he could not pursue music himself. But that desire remained in his heart. Therefore, when his friends came to our house, he would make me play the piano. My father used to say, “When my daughter grows up, she will be Muhabbat Shamayeva.” I think my father's dreams have come true. We worked in an ensemble with my brothers, we did family creative work, says Safiya Saftarova, recalling her childhood.

“They said she would be an artist when she was a baby”

My mother was a merchant; since it was impossible to leave Safiya at home, she took her along to the market. Busy with work, when my sister let go of her hand, she would cry. Because she cried so beautifully, a Russian woman said, “This baby's voice is so clear, she will be an artist when she grows up,” says Safiya Saftarova's older sister.

“Safiya could not be seen behind the accordion”

On the eve of Independence Day, Safiya Saftarova came to Uzbekistan, to her hometown of Samarkand. Taking this opportunity, she also met with her dear classmates and recalled her school years.

— It has been 43 years since we graduated from School No. 18 in 1983. Many of my teachers have passed away, may Allah have mercy on them, says Safiya Saftarova.

— There was a piano in our music room. After class, Safiya would go in and play the music from the play staging Alisher Navoiy's childhood for us. She also learned and perfectly played the music of the program “In the World of Animals” broadcast on Russian TV channels. Not a single event or competition of ours went on without Safiya, recalls Safiya Saftarova's classmate.

We would place a chair for her in the middle of the room. Because that accordion was so big, Safiya could not be seen behind it, as if the musical instrument was playing itself (laughs). Today, by a twist of fate, I also live in America, and Safiya and I meet there often, says another classmate, recalling their school days.

“We came to America for the first time for a concert”

My favorite teacher, Sultonposhsha Odayeva, also came with me. We participated in the anniversary, and together with my teacher, we also gave a concert.

In Samarkand, besides art, I also learned accounting and worked as a senior accountant at a design institute. To be honest, I never took a vacation. Even if there was a one-month vacation, I would plan it for a tour.

Even after moving to America, my creative work did not stop. Recently, I released a new song called “Samarqandda izlarim qoldi” (My Traces Remained in Samarkand). After learning to play the piano, I also started practicing composing songs. I composed almost all of my songs myself. Only once did composer Dilorom Omonullayeva write the song “Lolacha” for me, she says.

“I am continuing my creative work abroad as well”

I am a person who did not move even when offered to come and live and work in Tashkent from Samarkand. Because I would miss my city so much, I could never imagine living in foreign places one day. But I think living here now has strengthened my will. Even now, I participate in concerts and wedding services here, and make appearances on television with my new songs, says Safiya Saftarova.

“In my dreams, I see Samarkand, not America”

When I dream, I always see my neighborhood, not America. I see myself getting off the plane with my suitcases and coming to my parents' house. I realized that no matter how far a person is, their soul remains with their homeland. Thank God, we are still citizens of Uzbekistan, and I have a house in Samarkand. Since it was my destiny, I am living in New York, says the singer.

“There were times when I composed songs in a subway car”

I also went to the homes of American children and gave piano lessons. But I did not have a local diploma to get a formal job. Then I worked in other fields, sang at holidays like Navruz, gradually became known, and started releasing my CDs, she says.

“Opportunities are wide in America”

— What did America give me? I learned many languages; the environment itself helped. In addition, I sang more songs in Persian and worked with an Iranian ensemble. I went to districts where Iranians live and performed at holidays and concerts. I learned this language naturally. Besides that, I also learned the Azerbaijani language. To understand the meaning of my songs even better. Three more were added to the list of languages I know. My son is also by my side — he plays the violin, she says.

“My children are by my side”

When I went to weddings and film shoots, I always left my children in my mother's care. Therefore, the effort of the elders is felt in their upbringing. Now I also try to give such a good upbringing to my grandchildren.

Now we live in America with my son, daughter-in-law, daughter, and grandchildren. My daughter Sevarakhon studied in America and received her master's degree in auditing. Now she works in a good company. My daughter-in-law graduated in Russian philology and is a teacher. My son's actual profession is a pharmacist. As I said, after his work, he also plays the violin next to me in the evenings during performances, says the singer.

What did Safiya Saftarova feel when she came to Samarkand, across years and distances?

As soon as I arrived, I visited my parents' graves. But one of my feet is over there, my children and grandchildren are waiting for me. I am performing again in my motherland with my song “Vatan yagonadir”. This song of mine has become the anthem of the people of Samarkand, she says.

“I cannot forgive myself for making my mother miss me”

There is also my longing for my mother, and my longing for Samarkand. As a person who has lived in emigration, I say — a person should establish their work in their own country. Especially if their parents are alive. Because they live looking out for us. I cannot forgive myself for making my mother miss me, says Honored Artist of Uzbekistan Safiya Saftarova.