Articles
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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. -
Practical Tips05.08.2026Finishing high school is already a major transition. Choosing to continue your education in another country? Now that's a bigger decision. For young Armenians raised abroad, studying in Armenia can offer something that a summer visit rarely does: the chance to experience the country as part of everyday life. -
Opinions27.07.2026Well, well, well! Summer is already here, and with Armenia safe from record heatwaves, it looks like a trip might be a good idea. A summer holiday in Armenia can easily become a highlight reel on Instagram: evenings in Yerevan, weekend trips to Lake Sevan, fresh fruit at local markets, and long meals with wine or brandy on the side. What’s there not to love? But could you actually live here? -
Personal Stories21.07.2026In recent years, alongside cultural and educational tourism and gastronomic tourism, mountain and ski tourism have also been developing particularly actively in Armenia, making the country an attractive and accessible destination for active travel enthusiasts. But what about running tourism? -
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. -
Practical Tips13.07.2026By 2026, Armenia’s e-wallet market has matured, branching into two primary solutions: "all-in-one" universal services and specialized wallets tailored for specific tasks. If you need a single tool for daily operations, ranging from utility payments to international transfers, universal solutions are the way to go. However, if your priority lies in QR payments, cash handling, or digital cards, your choice may differ. -
Personal Stories08.07.2026The triumphant journey of the “Symphonic Folk: The Epic Sound of Armenia” concert by the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra and music producer Serouj Baghdassarian (C-Rouge) continues. The music, which was first premiered in July 2025, has become, for many, a reminder of the Armenian people's genetic code, and for others, an anthem of returning to their roots. In a short period of time, Symphonic Folk has become not only a highly successful concert eagerly awaited by audiences around the world, but also the beginning of a new chapter in Serouj's relationship with his homeland, Armenia. -
Personal Stories30.06.2026On an early May morning, when it seems that only Yerevan’s sparrows are awake, I am getting ready for a meeting with a repatriate that is quite unusual for me. What is unusual is not only the time of the meeting, but also the place — this time I decided not to limit myself to the hero’s story in the Repat Armenia office, but to travel with him along his daily route from Yerevan toward Etchmiadzin — to wheat fields and pistachio orchards, to a greenhouse of evergreen avocado trees… After a long, several-day-long saga of searching for the phone number of Ara Dakessian, a repatriate from Lebanon, we drive with him along the M-5 highway toward a plot of land surrounded by the snow-white Ararat and Aragats. Behind the gates await the hero’s stories about his decision to return to the homeland and grow tree species on its soil that are not widespread in Armenia. -
Practical Tips26.06.2026You can buy tickets for concerts, theatre performances, festivals and sporting events in Armenia online in just a few minutes. This is especially convenient for tourists, foreign residents and repatriates who are not yet familiar with local ticketing services or do not know where to find up-to-date event listings. Several major ticketing platforms, mobile apps and official websites of cultural venues operate in Armenia. They differ in terms of event selection, payment methods, user interface and electronic ticket format. -
Personal Stories22.06.2026Understanding Armenia Through Music We met Elena Goncharova in January at a meeting with newcomers at Repat Armenia. It was then that I realized I wanted to talk to her not about the process of obtaining Armenian citizenship, but to explore deeper layers: how one can sing both Komitas and Russian folklore, what home means, how to integrate into Armenian life without losing one’s identity… -
Practical Tips22.06.2026Armenia has become much easier to visit for many travelers, including repats, in 2026. Whether you are planning a short trip to Yerevan, exploring Armenia as a possible relocation destination, visiting family, or coming to assess business opportunities, the country's visa rules are now worth a closer look. The key point is simple: some travelers can enter Armenia visa-free because of their citizenship, while others may qualify because they hold a valid residence permit from the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, the Schengen Area, or a GCC country. -
Personal Stories10.06.2026"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals," or so goes the saying by Immanuel Kant. That quote applies directly to George Avakian, the subject of this Repats without Restraints article. I first met George at a veterinary clinic in Yerevan, before a mutual friend hired him to train our dog, Bambi. What George and his team are doing in Armenia, particularly in the middle of heated debates concerning animals and stray dogs in the country, is a mission not to be taken lightly. That's why I decided to sit down with George and have a canine, candid conversation. -
Personal Stories27.05.2026I've always wanted to sit down and just let Karapet "Karo" Sahakyan talk about his craft, his experiences, and his worldviews. You see, people like Karo often seem like adrenaline junkies who chase intensity, drawn to the edges of the world for the thrill. But that impression doesn't last very long. -
Personal Stories25.05.2026Life in the Diaspora, a Natural Armenian Environment Ania Adjian was born in Buenos Aires into a family representing the Armenian intelligentsia: Ania’s father is a writer who for many years served as director of the local Armenian school and magazine, and her mother, fluent in nine languages, taught Armenian language and literature at the same school.