The year 2017 will go down in history in a matter of days. People are in commotion as they make their purchases, decorate their homes and think about their achievements this past year.

For Edmon Davtian, who moved from Iran to Armenia with his family three months ago, this year will be more than memorable since it will be the family’s first time ringing in the New Year in the homeland.

On this occasion, Hayern Aysor presents the story of the family of repatriates.

We didn’t forget to bring our Christmas tree from Tehran

Words can’t describe how excited we are to celebrate the New Year and Christmas together in Armenia for the first time. We can’t wait for the clock to strike twelve and gather around the festive table to ring in the year 2018.

We are certain that a new life will begin for us in the homeland and that we will achieve success. We didn’t forget to bring our Christmas tree from Tehran. My children — 12-year-old Narot and 8-year-old Taron — have already decorated the Christmas tree.

We will preserve the New Year’s traditions of the Armenians of Tehran. My wife will make New Year’s dishes like kuku (Persian dish made from eggs and herbs) and the Armenian Ghapama. We will also visit our friends and relatives and take strolls in Yerevan to enjoy the air in the city.

The idea of repatriating had always been running through my head

I was born in Kuwait and received my secondary education there. Later, I returned to New Julfa and then moved to Tehran.

I have served as a member of the board of the Union of Armenians of Tehran, the local council of Tehran and the board of the Nairi Armenian Sport and Cultural Union and have completed tasks for preservation of the Armenian identity in the Zeytun Armenian District.

I have always been in touch with Armenia since I was a teen. The idea of repatriating had always been running through my head, and now I am more than happy that I fulfilled my decision.

Since 2003, I have been visiting Armenia every summer. Due to my job and travels, I have visited many countries, but I have always had a different feeling and have always looked towards the homeland when visiting Armenia. I am optimistic and believe in the empowerment of Armenia. Based on this, we decided to come and contribute to our country’s advancement.

When I had just arrived, I had already made a lot of friends in Armenia. Everything seemed close to my heart, and this made the process of integration easier. Here we feel safe and at ease, and peace and safety are hard to find in other countries. We Armenians need to love our country with its good and bad sides. My children feel great in Armenia and go to an Armenian school. As a matter of fact, it was easy for them to establish close ties with their classmates.

I am an IT specialist and have worked for a German IT company for 10 years. I hope I find a job in the IT sector in Armenia soon so that I can use my potential to foster the development of the IT sector in the country. I am not losing hope. Everything will be fine.

-May the year 2018 be a year of unity!

Armenia must be the center of all Armenians, our last and only landmark and the place where we Armenians can live and work as a nation. We all need to be well aware of the fact that Armenia is our homeland and the guarantee of our identity. I think the potential of all Armenians of the world will help our homeland become stronger, and I wish the year 2018 is a year of unity and consolidation and that repatriation becomes the goal of every Armenian in the Diaspora. Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!

Gevorg Chichyan