Genetic Connection with Armenia

Kseniya Yakutovich was born in Gyumri, spent her entire childhood there, and later moved to Russia with her family. But she never lost her connection with Armenia: she met her husband in Moscow — the same person who attended the same sports school as her back in Gyumri, and life brought them together again in Russia.

“We often came to Armenia: my husband has relatives here, and I have family on my father’s side. When we returned to Moscow, we missed Armenia terribly and longed to come back. The seed had been planted. And all the objective and subjective circumstances, all the pieces of the puzzle came together, and in 2024 we moved to Armenia,” says Kseniya Yakutovich.

The heroine admits that if someone had asked her years ago about moving to Armenia, she would have replied that children should receive a Russian education. Kseniya has three children: her eldest son studies at the American University of Armenia, and her two daughters attend the UWC Dilijan International School. “The genetic bond prevailed — we moved straight to Dilijan. It’s comfortable here in every sense, it’s safe, and the school is here. We’ve been here a year now, and not a single day have we regretted our decision. We simply came back home.”
 

A New Page: A Photo Story

In Russia, Kseniya worked in the restaurant industry, specifically as an event organizer. But, like many others, the pandemic year made her reconsider her career path. In search of an outlet for her energy, she took online photography courses: “When my photographs became recognizable and started winning international competitions, I realized that my art appealed not only to me but also to others. That meant I should continue this journey.”

The First Exhibition in Armenia

Kseniya’s first exhibition took place at the Dilijan Gallery and was titled “The Point of Return. Homeland.” In this series of landscape and portrait works, the heroine expressed her deep love for Armenian land and its people: “It was a small tribute of respect to the homeland that welcomed me with open arms. Here, in Dilijan, amazing transformations take place, giving me the right to believe that I am on the right path. Everyone I met along my creative journey here seemed to be sent from above.”

The exhibition “The Point of Return. Homeland” was a success. Kseniya also presented it in her hometown of Gyumri, at the Aslamazyan Sisters Museum. Later, she collaborated with the Hovaz Wine Boutique in Dilijan.

Photo Tour on Mount Dimats

The desire for active creative work and letters from colleagues around the world inspired Kseniya to think of a new and exciting project. The idea did not take long to form: the concept of a photo tour appeared in the spring of this year, with an educational purpose alongside the wish to showcase Armenia to participants.

“By late spring, the idea had fully taken shape, and on June 10 I launched the advertisement. I didn’t aim for financial gain — my goal was to do it well. And I think I succeeded. I didn’t have a team, although in invitations I signed off as ‘Sincerely, the team’ (smiles). Eventually, a week before the event, all my friends in Dilijan joined me, and many people from Russia helped remotely. The project came to life because there were people around me who supported me,” Kseniya shares.

The photo tour lasted five days and included both educational sessions and excursions. Lectures were given by Kseniya’s curator, who came from Kirov. During the tour, participants attended talks about Armenian impressionists and about Parajanov; inspired by his film *The Color of Pomegranates*, a photo shoot with models was held on the summit of Mount Dimats. The program also included visits to Goshavank, Aghavnavank, Lake Sevan, and the village of Fioletovo.

“Those days, the whole of Dilijan was with me. It welcomed guests from all corners of the world and showed them Armenian hospitality. Many had never seen Armenia before — this was their chance to experience its incredible diversity. Now all the participants are eagerly waiting for the next photo tour, which will take place in the new season with a new route,” continues the heroine.

New Projects by Kseniya Yakutovich

Currently, Kseniya Yakutovich is working on two new projects. One is called “I Need Your Dreams” — about children, their lives, and their dreams. The heroine meets her subjects, photographs their portraits, and through them, aims to tell the stories of their aspirations. She hopes it will result in another exhibition, though she admits that what she plans often turns out differently in the end.

“Local children have a special, respectful attitude toward their elders. So who, if not we — the elders — should help them fulfill their dreams? I want to show how strong their desire for change is and how much they need support in that change. They fill out a questionnaire that includes a question about their dreams. The children say they want to see their city clean, and when asked what they do for that, they write that they go to school carrying a bag to collect trash on the way, rescue abandoned puppies, and dream of becoming actors, deputies, public speakers, or art historians. There are many such children, and I want them to be heard. That is essentially what my project is about,” explains Kseniya.

Part of this project is dedicated to homeless animals, and what unites it all is the theme of dreams — for our four-legged friends, the dream is simple: to have a warm shelter, food, and love.

Her second new project will bring together all those who are passionate about the art of photography — people who want to showcase their creativity both locally and internationally.

Homeland and the Feeling of Home

Speaking about what she has gained here, in her homeland, Kseniya admits that the most valuable thing Armenia has given her is a sense of home. It is easier to maintain balance between work and personal life here, and there are also many exciting opportunities for growth.



When asked the question she often poses to herself — “What would you do if your homeland were in trouble?” — Kseniya answers: “I would be with her. I couldn’t be with her when she was suffering, during the war, because my mother was ill. But then I think: this is my people — the people with whom I’ve shared salt, with whom I lived through the earthquake. It’s so important not to lose connection with your roots, to instill love for Armenia in your children, because sooner or later, it will resonate.”

 Nare Bejanyan

AI-translated from the original Russian article: «Точка возврата. Родина».