Comments on: Returning to Ararat: The Possibilities of Repatriation in Armenia

By: Daniel Mahserechyan

Daniel Mahserechyan — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 15:36:50 +0000

I am 20 years old and I currently live in Yerevan. I just graduated and move here this year. I used to live in Boston, but I went to college in South Carolina. To me NOT living in Armenia was like making the decision to roll over and play dead and let our nation fall. The genocide was the intent to exterminate our people. I was not willing to let that intention become reality. If you come to Armenia from the U.S. and have a grasp of business ethics, you can network here and a second language of English or French and U.S./Canadian contacts would help you to thrive here. As for day to day life, I love it here, the winters are a little harsh, but the rest of the year is beautiful especially outside Yerevan. There is hospitality and food all the time. Also, there is a common ground between all the people here, they are all ethnic Armenians. It is quite easy to start an engaging conversation here, just say “Yes Hay em”, and anyone here can relate to that and will have at least some similar stories and experiences to share.
Sirov,
Daniel Mahserechyan

By: Haig

Haig — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:11:06 +0000

Thank You.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:44:10 +0000

I want to move to Armenia, but I think it would be difficult to do financially.

By: Sella

Sella — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:15:01 +0000

Artak, Thank you very much for staying in Artsakh. Just staying there is a big heroism already. I visited Atsakh, Hadrut 6 years ago when my brother was serving in Army. My 4 cousins have served in Atshakh too. It was such a beautiful land and what a strong people you are. I imagine if one day Artsakh will become independent and economy will grow it will become a paradise. Even though Armenia is struggling too, whatever donations I made or will make in the future, I will make sure it goes to Artsakh because Artsakh needs it more than Armenia. Stay strong!

By: Sella

Sella — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:58:37 +0000

Yes, Armenia does not offer much in terms of comfort but it offers something that no other country in the world offers. That something is an opportunity to stay Armenian and not being discriminated for being one. I am originally from Armenia but went to Europe to pursue my graduate degree, then moved to the US for work. I did like lifestyle in Europe much more than in the US. Unfortunately, I will not be able to work in Armenia anytime soon. I keep very strong ties with my family in Armenia. I still do not want my future children loose their Armenian culture and become too much Americanized so probably I will take them to Armenia every year and later send them to Armenia over their summer brakes so that they can be proficient in Armenian language and history. I think if I cannot move to Armenia because of my career I would like to at least retire there. As to diaspora Armenians majority of them will not move to Armenia because of poor life standards in Armenia. Some Armenians have moved and will continue to move and I will consider them heroes.I would divide US/European diaspora Armenians in 5 groups, majority of them falling either in the 3rd or 4th group
1. Patriotic Armenians who moved there knowing that they are going to face hardships and are ready for that
2.Patriotic Armenians who do not move to Armenia but set businesses, foundation, for example Tufenkian
3.Armenians who want to move but have good jobs, comfortable life and do not want to risk it given Armenia’s bad reputation. Those Armenians are outspoken, politically and culturally active.
4.Halfway assimilated Armenians who care about Armenia, are active in Diaspora, outspoken but will never move to Armenia.
5.Assimilated Armenians who lost Armenian culture and do not care about Armenia and do not identify themselves as Armenians.

By: Harb

Harb — Thu, 19 May 2011 11:34:14 +0000

Mr. Krikorian,

Thanks for your comment. It was helpful to hear a broader perspective. My thoughts/questions were based on my reference point of the USA.

The assertion remains the same. The government of ROA needs to understand the barriers to immigration;spurs to emigration and move to ameliorate the issues. Of course, the government may well understand the causes but may not have the resources or will to take on the issues.

Your comment speaks to key root causes–development of democracy-rule of law-reining in corruption. These issues require wrenching changes and partnership with key diaspora organizations.

Time is not Armenian’s friend in this regard. Repatriation may become less likely as the diaspora lives for more generations in their host countries.

By: lobelisk jewllers

lobelisk jewllers — Tue, 17 May 2011 08:00:59 +0000

You forget that most diaspora Armenians are the Turkish Genocides survivors from the western Armenia region .Those lands are still occupied !!While Armenia of today, freed from U.S.S.R.control, is Eastern Armenia only !We love Armenia ,but that’s like Palestine for the the Jewish diaspora ,or Mecca for the Muslims … Its less then half of the story ,as far as homeland is concerned .A good example would be the Hayastanahays to stay in their home land ,and make so not just in words ,instead of running away to the west,no matter where…no matter how ???While you expect Armenians from diaspora to settle there ???Give the good example !!!

By: Aris Hovasapian

Aris Hovasapian — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:56:50 +0000

I’m intrigued by the idea and the comments, and hoping for much more!

I think the language/dialect issue is a bit of an obstacle for some, and then there’s the history of repatriation in the late 1940’s which was disastrous for most of those that went back. There does have to be a buy-in from the government, and they don’t seem interested in that.

I have a lot of thoughts on this subject and I’m really looking forward to a good discussion here!

By: Artak Nerisiyan- Artsakhtsi

Artak Nerisiyan- Artsakhtsi — Mon, 16 May 2011 05:39:53 +0000

You know, it depends on the system of values of the person. If anybody appreciates highest of all – his education, carreer etc. , of course Armenia isn’t the best place to cast his inhabitation.
But I insure you that in case of strong will and great wish we can reach to a very high level of the above mentioned conditions . At last somebody needs to innitiate the creation of these possibilities.(somebody- I mean unity of many of us) Don’t think that Armenians living in the Republic of Armenia or Nagorno-Karabakh don’t understand or know about the possibilities of the developed countries. I’m an Armenian from Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, I’m very proud of being Armenian , having been born in ARMENIAN land- Artsakh, and till now living in Artsakh, and for me – career , wealth, high education have , of course, an imporance of great magnitude, but highest of all is my country, as we say – my ” land and water” (իմ հողն ու ջուրը)and if, God forbid, one day there appears any threat agains my country, of course each of us will put aside his career, his education and his possessions and take a weapon for sake of his land. Maybe what I’m writing for many of the readers is from the genre of romatism, but you know, it happened not so long ago to be turned from reality into romantism.As we have many heroes of Artsakh liberation war who were Members of Parliament, scientists, businessmen and also many-many students- who fought and died for their FATHERLAND- among them also Armenians from diaspora – one of them – our legendary hero Monte Melqonyan.
So my system of value is like a pyramid on the top of which is my self-consciousness of being Armenian and being the master of my land , consecuently, my responsibility to live in this land,and be the guarantee of the bright future of my country.
Thank you for reading my comment. Wish you all the best and ready toanswer any question.