Articles
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-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=1ce51404708b97e32959b5a5620cc77e "Where Dreams Take Root")
Repat Story21.07.2025Growing up in Moscow, first visits to Armenia Kolya Stepanyan was born in Moscow. His parents moved there from Goris a few years before he was born. As a child, Kolya visited his grandparents in Goris a few times – those trips kept his connection to Armenia alive, even if it sometimes felt fragile. “When I was 15, I visited Armenia for the first time as a teen. That trip stuck with me. I felt something — maybe even love. Growing up in Russia was tough. Armenians and other minorities were treated like second or third-class citizens. Things have gotten a bit better, but not much. I always felt like an outsider, even though I had many friends in Moscow,” he recalls. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=c66b95fa1357d37e7ad5ff044a90cc92 "Buying Property in Armenia for Non-Residents: Mortgages, Documents, and 2025 Nuances")
Tips15.07.2025In Armenia, only about 52 out of 206 mortgage programs are available to non-residents. However, there are advantageous exceptions for foreigners and repatriates, such as foreign currency loans, online application options, and accommodating banks. This article will walk you through the process of buying a home in Armenia without an Armenian passport. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=f217f848b07c527a715f1152f0b822ee "A Magnet for “The Big Commonwealth”")
Armenian by Choice13.07.2025“Armenia is magnetic,” says Ivan Krisanov The first time Ivan visited Armenia was in 2017 – just as a tourist. Soon enough, he returned for business forums: organizing, attending, and bringing others along. In 2019, he took part in the Shape Eurasia Forum, supported by the World Economic Forum, and later that year he brought a business mission of Ivanovo entrepreneurs to Yerevan. Big Friendship in a Small Camp -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=e8e15c98c66ad71f165a17978500b308 "Finding Her Best Self: A Journey from Kyiv, Through Artsakh, to Ijevan")
Repat Story11.07.2025For 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=ce11a0269c3d409316d05f99e4592124 "Life in Armenia – Desire and Decision")
Repat Story12.06.20252 minThat Nairi Grigoryan is an artist is easy to guess from his image, his manner of speaking, and the environment and atmosphere he creates wherever he steps. In his hands, the brush moves smoothly, stone turns into a work of art, and even the smallest hall becomes a true stage. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=4f9ab74c7ea76c9802db2935a15ddda7 "Ezequiel Guiragossian and His Traveling Social Circus")
Repat Story12.06.2025Walking through Yerevan or driving around the city, you might notice a young man juggling – he looks like someone from a kind childhood story. That’s Ezequiel Guiragossian – a juggler, acrobat, and founder of Circo Fractal, who has now been living in Armenia for about a year. Born in Buenos Aires to an Armenian father and Italian mother, Ezequiel had never seriously considered coming to Armenia – until a conversation with his uncle changed everything. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=eabd53951b08e2a236f0042bc787f0a5 "Armenia Has Many Layers…")
Repat Story11.06.2025We met Armen and Victoria Mnatsakanyan during Armenian language classes organized by Repat Armenia. Armen is a crisis manager, born and raised in Moscow, while Victoria is a psychologist who worked for many years in the social sphere: first at Russia’s first children’s home that began placing children into families, and later by training other specialists in this field. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=e1c59d1c22282919f53b3720c85d994e "Lusine’s Return Home: “Here, Everything Just Feels Right”")
Repat Story05.06.2025You 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=077a641764138087fa7aec8bbcfd797a "It All Starts With One Person")
Repat Story02.06.20251 minThe Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Sergey Smbatyan, continues to delight Armenian (and international) audiences with innovative programs and internationally acclaimed guest performers and conductors. One of the key figures behind these programs is the vibrant and charismatic Tatev With Wings, who joined the team last year through a three-party invitation from iGorts, the Orchestra, and the Keron Development Foundation. Tatev’s experience is so valuable to Armenia that instead of the usual one-year iGorts contract, she was offered a three-year agreement. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=573340629cb9fbc714d3b1a8015a4d19 "Discover Summer Programs for Kids and Youth in Armenia 2025")
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=0381f574abe17d080228c67fc2b52f00 "Festivals of Faith, Food, and Folklore: Armenia’s Colorful Celebrations")
Tips19.05.20252 minAn Introduction into Armenia’s Favorite Festivals Armenians love a celebration and there are probably many Armenian traditions and festivals that you have never even heard of. Being a land steeped in ancient traditions - both Christian, and with Pagan origins - Armenia’s festivals offer an insight into the history of the nation. Prior to adopting Christianity in 301 AD, many Armenian festivals had Pagan roots, often celebrating the cycle of nature, the seasons and fertility. These festivals would involve dancing, feasting and symbolic rituals to ensure prosperity. Following the adoption of Christianity, these festivals were Christianized as opposed to eliminated, ensuring Armenia’s centuries-long traditions were preserved. Often accompanied by food, music and dance, Armenian festivals preserve Armenian culture and pass down traditions to the next generation. Keep reading to learn about some of Armenia’s most loved festivals that reflect the identity and spirit of the country. -
-webp(85)-o(png).webp?token=a31e464efa8038c896ea02025f7800b6 "Chasing Ararat: An Armenian's Journey from Africa Back to His Roots")
Repat Story16.05.20252 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")
Repat Story30.04.20252 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=55a974f8c05b897f2676c28d7d350f21 "Shant’s Shekherdimian: A Doctor for the Healthcare System")
Repat Story30.04.20252 minBorn and raised in California, Dr. Shant Shekherdimian’s connection to Armenia began in 1997 during his first visit to Armenia. What started as curiosity evolved into commitment, and eventually, into a life deeply intertwined with Armenia’s future. Today Shant is a pediatric surgeon with a background in public health but in 2005, he and his friends chose to spend a summer teaching English in the village of Martuni. It was “a life-changing experience to be immersed in the village life.” Dr. Shekherdimian has found a way to consistently return to Armenia and has since repatriated, though still maintains his practice in California. As a professional, he has been embedded in the Ministry of Health as an advisor, working alongside government officials with a seat at the policy-making table since 2019. And yet still sees his role not as a savior, but as a student—learning, listening, and gradually contributing to a more sustainable healthcare infrastructure. -
-webp(85)-o(jpg).webp?token=9c2a4ada67890d67bcc35f822c357de6 "“In Armenia, You’re a Different Person”")
Thoughts18.04.2025At the end of 2021, Repat Armenia launched its Armenia Works 4U program, welcoming 50 Lebanese-Armenians. A year later, the program expanded to include 40 more participants, this time from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
