Publications
16.05.2025
2 min
Repat Story
Chasing Ararat: An Armenian's Journey from Africa Back to His Roots
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=72cee5cf3666b06f7eccac6b0747b169 "Chasing Ararat: An Armenian's Journey from Africa Back to His Roots")
Vicken 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!”
During that time, Vicken became friends with both locals and foreign students. “I mixed with them because we had cultural differences”, he explains, “When I lived here, I became even more attached... I found Armenian people very friendly. When I finished my studies, I said that one day I'll be back, and now I am.”
After his studies in Armenia, Vicken moved to Africa. His first stop was Liberia, followed by Monrovia. After war started he moved to the Ivory Coast, where he worked for nine years before being based in Johannesburg, South Africa for over two decades. In Africa, he evaluated rough diamonds, buying and exporting them to Antwerp in Belgium, the world diamond center. “While counting, calculating, evaluating diamonds, I always calculated numbers in Armenian”, says Vicken, “It's a reflex maybe. In my mind, I still think in Armenian, which counts as my first language.” He adds: “Most of my life, I have lived overseas... But I kept my English accent the way I learned in the Armenian school in Lebanon.”
“I kept Vicken all through my life on the whole planet wherever I was traveling... I never changed it.”
The Armenian community in Africa was not like his native Lebanon, however. “In Abidjan there were four or five Armenians, but in South Africa we were about 150”, he says, “For a while, I was the chairman of the Armenian Society of South Africa.”
Following a successful career working with diamonds in Africa, Vicken decided to return to Armenia to retire. “I'm not that old, but I decided to stop working”, he says. “I was thinking of two options, either Lebanon or Armenia... But then I said, okay, I’d rather be in the homeland, the motherland, and that's why I came to Yerevan.”
Despite years of experience working in the diamond industry, Vicken never thought about expanding his business in Armenia. “My business here is to explore Armenia”, he explains, with his favourite region being Lori. “I like motorbike riding. So I tour a lot on the motorbike”, he adds.
Now that he is settled in Armenia, Vicken doesn’t have any big plans. “I am exploring the country, meeting new people, making new Armenian friends. Enjoying the theater, the opera, and the cultural life”, he explains.
Despite having no family in Armenia... Vicken was attracted to repatriation because of the same patriotism he felt when he came to study after high school. “Since childhood, we were a bit overbrainwashed in our Armenian schools in Lebanon... So Armenia always had a big part in our hearts.” His biggest pleasure, after living in Africa for decades, is speaking Armenian. He was also determined to find an apartment with an Ararat view. “I struggled to find one and then I found the exact apartment from where I can see Ararat”, he says, “And every morning when I wake up, I look for Ararat through the window... In my mind, I say, today is going to be a good day for me.”
In Armenia, Vicken particularly enjoys the cultural experiences on offer. “I really enjoy the musical talents of Armenia”, he explains, “And the theater, everything.” For Vicken, Armenia is a chance to connect with his homeland, enjoy its cultural heritage and explore its landscapes.
Lizzy Vartanian
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