My Way Home
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-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=da8ad6d16e014cd77008d904f929e6d1 "Repats Without Restraints - A Talk with Aram Khachadourian")
Personal Stories09.08.2026Music has shaped every chapter of lifeguard-turned-classical singer Aram Khatchadourian's life. Born in Aleppo, Syria, he discovered his passion for music as a child, first through piano and later through classical singing. His talent earned him international recognition early on, before his journey eventually led him to Armenia. Today, Aram is a baritone, a graduate of the Yerevan Komitas State Conservatory, and a member of the Armenian State National Academic Choir named after Hovhannes Chekijian. From performing the role of King Afrasyab in Rustam and Sohrab to bringing Figaro to life on stage, he continues to build a career while remaining deeply connected to Armenian musical heritage. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=b6cce71654034d180f0b10f6d92a33b6 "Repats Without Restrains - A Conversation with Anais Abedi")
Personal Stories16.07.2026In the early 2010s, when I was still a visiting tourist in Armenia, I was invited to spend Easter night in the home of my childhood friend, Anais Abedi. Once we had our fair share of food, Anais asked whether I’d be willing to help her with a “patient” downstairs. I couldn’t say no. Long story short, I ended up in a small makeshift pet clinic in their yard, helping Anais save a kitten’s life after it had been hit by a car. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=71fa5092d8e795d388b62094924f08ad "Հայրենադարձության, ներգաղթի և քաղաքական կամքի թուլության մասին")
Opinions14.05.2026Հայաստանն այսօր շարունակում է իրեն պահել որպես երկիր, որը դեռ չի կողմնորոշվել՝ պե՞տք են իրեն մարդիկ, թե՝ ոչ։ Գործողություններում, ոչ հռետորաբանությունում։ Ժողովրդագրության կարևորության մասին բարձրագոչ հայտարարությունների ետևում թաքնված է պրոակտիվ հայրենադարձային և ներգաղթային քաղաքականություն կառուցելու քաղաքական կամքի բացակայությունը։ Սա տեխնիկական ձախողում և ժամանակավոր անարդյունավետություն չէ։ Սա համակարգային դիրքորոշում է։ -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=dce66a49657284cced97b20c65f5785a "“I Took Armenia With Me and Brought It Back”: Anahit Demirjian")
Personal Stories18.03.2026At the beginning of February, an exhibition by artist Anahit Demerchyan, who had lived away from her homeland for many years, took place at the Narekatsi Art Union. For a quarter of a century, creativity was the thread that connected Anahit’s longing heart to Armenia, and it also became the solid foundation for “building” a new life in her homeland. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=e8e15c98c66ad71f165a17978500b308 "Finding Her Best Self: A Journey from Kyiv, Through Artsakh, to Ijevan")
Personal Stories11.07.2025For the next repatriate story, I traveled to Ijevan to meet Sofia Hakopyan, who settled there with her husband. Leaving the big city and reviving her ancestors' traditions had long been her dream: her interest in beekeeping grew after meeting her husband, who had hives and made honey in his lost homeland of Hadrut. Running Away from Kindergarten to Get to Yerevan Sofia left the big city twice: the first move was her parents' choice (something she now appreciates), and the second was her own strong wish. “I was born in Kyiv. My parents moved there from Yerevan. Returning to Armenia was always part of our lives. My dad said he didn’t start a business there because he knew we’d leave someday. He planned our move when we were still young to make adaptation easier. Before we moved, Dad visited family in Armenia every year, and I was lucky to go three times. I remember once running away from kindergarten in Kyiv. When the teachers caught me and asked where I was going, I said, ‘To Yerevan,’” Sofia begins. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=e1c59d1c22282919f53b3720c85d994e "Lusine’s Return Home: “Here, Everything Just Feels Right”")
Personal Stories05.06.2025You might find this story familiar – recently, Repat Armenia shared how Gayane Bayatyan moved to Armenia from Krasnodar, Russia. Lusine is her sister – and she has been on a similar path. Last September, she made the big move home too, this time through the iGorts program. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=573340629cb9fbc714d3b1a8015a4d19 "Discover Summer Programs for Kids and Youth in Armenia 2025")
Practical Tips27.05.20251 minRepat Armenia has put together a fantastic selection of summer programs for kids and teens in 2025. Whether you're living in Armenia or part of the Armenian diaspora, these programs are a great way for your children to explore, learn, and connect with Armenia in fun and meaningful ways. Got a young artist or tech whiz at home? They can join creative workshops, arts and crafts sessions, or dive into the world of coding at our tech camps. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=a31e464efa8038c896ea02025f7800b6 "Chasing Ararat: An Armenian's Journey from Africa Back to His Roots")
Personal Stories16.05.20252 minVicken DerSarkissian moved to Armenia five years ago, having previously lived in Africa for several decades. But this isn’t the first time Vicken has lived in Armenia, after finishing high school in Beirut, he moved to Armenia to study engineering at university for six years. He then went into his family business, which worked with diamonds, prompting his move to Africa. “In the Armenian school in the diaspora in Lebanon they paid great attention to putting Armenia in our minds and hearts”, he says, “When we came home from school, our parents did the same. So Armenia has been part of our hearts and minds since childhood.” Vicken set his heart on going to university in Armenia, not just to study, but to learn about Armenia. “When you apply for a visa, you write the purpose of your visit”, he says, “Everybody writes tourism or holiday or something. I was so filled with idolizing Armenia... I wrote pilgrimage! ... I said that no one goes to his homeland as a tourist. I'm going to my homeland on a pilgrimage!” -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=711a0d66e13db2d7dcaf4e4c4fd5a8b7 "Life in Armenia After 50")
Opinions30.04.20252 minSome people think that repatriation is only for those who are in their 20s or 30s and “can afford to start a new life.” At Repat Armenia we wholeheartedly disagree. Repats can be any age, and can come from anywhere. As a matter of fact, many repats relocate to Armenia in their 50s and choose to establish themselves from a place of wisdom and understanding, which lends itself to a more enjoyable transition than if they came to Armenia at full steam without any plan or knowledge. To that end, we decided to collect the stories of just a handful of our repats who are in their 50s as their stories will serve as inspiration to many that age is not going to hold you back from living a good life in Armenia. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=bf62b0861c23aa261e6fe7a97112c201 "Find a job in Armenia more easily with staff.am and Repat Armenia")
News24.03.20253 min readRepat Armenia has partnered with Staff.am and has created an exclusive platform where repats, and those planning their move, can access the best positions in the Armenian job market and likewise companies looking to hire can have a direct pipeline to employees with international work experience. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=fd6ec217b99b8a370e68ffc7af84b8bf "Conductor Nvart Andreassian: Five Decades of Experience for Armenia")
Impact Makers22.01.20257 min readNvart Andreassian’s professional journey is nothing short of extraordinary. A conductor, musicologist and cultural program manager, she has lived, studied, and worked across the globe – Turkey, France, Belgium, Brazil, Uruguay, China and Russia. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=de3192f5bca45ff563f992196ca3d897 "Imperial Porcelain with an Armenian Touch")
Personal Stories09.01.20255 min readLucy Nazaryan grew up in Yerevan, started her studies at Yerevan State University and later headed to Moscow to continue her education at the Financial University. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=e79d3e55d4d0fc058431e3279b37d666 "From Russia to Artashat: Building a Future for Youth Football")
Impact Makers30.12.20244 min readArarat Mambreyan, inspired by the repatriation of many of his relatives, friends and fellow athletes, decided to follow his dream of helping young Armenian players reach their football goals. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=06cd275d8b98296ca3ec121810f601a0 "So you don’t end up looking for yourself among strangers in foreign lands…")
Personal Stories25.12.20246 min readAt the Blue Mosque in Yerevan, a venue that regularly brings together fans of Iranian culture, another gathering took place. The focus of the evening was George Abrahamyan, a poet, translator and journalist who has become one of Armenia’s most enthusiastic advocates for Iranian culture. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=57f01b298182da67bc08b6868a64933d "Turning Homesickness Into Art")
Personal Stories30.11.20248 min readAs a writer, I have always found it interesting to write about people I have met not through the repatriate community, and who, at first glance, seem like old friends. But through conversations about repatriation, I discover them anew.
