“I started visiting more frequently after that. Visiting once a year turned into two, two into three. Later, I had decided I’d apply for an Armenian citizenship. I got on an airplane and left Istanbul in 2015, on the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.”

“I felt at home with my people. Even glancing at the Armenian alphabet felt different, inexplicable. Only a person from the diaspora would truly understand what I mean by that.”

 

“The community there is united. There aren’t any political parties, so they are not as divided as in other communities. Everyone attends the same church, the same school, everyone reads the same newspaper, etc. I can say that the greater part of Armenians now live in Istanbul.”

“Many people left the country after the Istanbul riots in 1955. A lot of my relatives also parted to Europe, USA. I was frequently asked why I wouldn’t join them too, to which I’d always reply that if I were to leave my birthplace, it would only be for Armenia.”

“I’d love people to focus on manufacture and production. The market is worth 80 million, but nothing is sold. Unfortunately, the state has to take care of these affairs in Armenia. What’s worse is that even tissues are imported from Turkey. Tourism can also have great success if it is actively focused upon. The country should create conditions that allow Armenians to live here and not leave. Armenians should stop emigrating, and when they do, there would be no need to get others to do our job. We should be the ones building our country.”

“The diaspora has a bigger budget and has no problem in aiding Armenia, but the state must take of these cases. They should take responsibility in making Armenia a proper place for living not only for local Armenians, but also diasporans.”

“Firstly, I am Armenian. That is the number one reason why I moved here. I want to get married have children, raise them here. I want them to grow up in their motherland, and I, in turn, want to be an example for them.”

“The biggest issue I have faced is that we pay too much money for so little space. It is almost the same amount as it was in Istanbul. You can open a more successful business with the same amount in another country.”

“We should try and be more diligent if we want to succeed. We must let go of the laziness and unpunctuality. I’d go to work in Istanbul as early as 6 am, but here, most places open at 10 am. Some people don’t bother to show up. We should learn to be more responsible and exact.”

“It doesn’t matter if you see Ararat everyday, you’d still take a picture every time and never get tired of it.  Armenia is where I belong. I believe I have reached my final destination.”