One of the paintings that is being spread and viewed the most on the Internet these days is the watercolor painting entitled “Visit of Pope Francis to the First Christian Nation” by Merited Painter of the Republic of Armenia Samvel Latchikyan. The painting attracts viewers with its meaningful composition and impressive mastery.

We knew that one of the well-known Armenian painters of our days had settled in the United States of America many years ago. Hayern Aysor’s correspondent tried to find him through Samvel Latchikyan’s brother, famous esthete, art critic, drawer Levon Latchikyan.

It turned out that there was no need to look very far since the painter has returned to the Homeland and lives in his hometown of Gyumri. Perhaps the painting entitled “Visit of Pope Francis to the First Christian Nation” can also be entitled “Return with a Painting”.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Latchikyan, you were trusted with portraying the “Visit of Pope Francis to the First Christian Nation”. How did that happen?

Samvel Latchikyan: There were rumors in Gyumri that I had finally settled in Gyumri after the war in April.

After a while, in light of the visit of Pope Francis to Armenia, the Prelacy of the Armenian Catholic Church of Armenia, Georgia, Russia and Eastern Europe, which is based in Gyumri, ordered to create a symbolic painting that would be a symbolic manifestation of Armenia as the first Christian nation.

Hayern Aysor: What is the symbol of the painting?

S. L.: The painting portrays warmth, kindness and peace, which has recently become very important for our land.

It is portrayed as a cross. If we look at it carefully, we will see the Armenian cross. At the top of the cross is Jesus Christ surrounded by angels. Jesus is looking at the Pope from above, blessing his visit to Armenia.

The spring mood, the flowers in the Ararat Valley and the awakening of nature prevail. It is an awakening since the visit of the Pope to Armenia symbolizes an awakening. The painting is completely in the form of an old Armenia parchment background.

The left side of the cross portrays Saint Peter of the Disciples of Christ with the key of wisdom in his hand, and the right side of the cross-St. Paul with the sword in his hand.

The whole lower section of the cross portrays Pope Francis, who welcomes all the people of the first Christian nation. The painting also portrays our Sacred Mountain with the Pope in the background, as well as the Khor Virap Monastery, which is of great significance for us Armenians. One can also see the Holy Martyrs Catholic Church, which was opened in Gyumri last year and which the Pope will visit while in Gyumri.

I created the painting with the motives of Armenian miniature painting and used all the colors of the palette. Overall, it is a painting that conveys the Armenian spirit. One can also see the following message taken from the Bible: “Graze my sheep.”

The painting is currently in the Prelacy of the Catholic Church and will be taken to the church so that the Pope sees it.

It took me one-and-a-half months to create the painting. It is supposed to be turned into an icon, meaning the purpose of  the painting was to express gratitude to the Pope for his visit and for always standing by the side of the Armenian people with his prayers.

Hayern Aysor: How did the Armenian public respond to it?

S. L.: I have only received positive feedback. The painting became so popular that there are even badges with the picture on them and small flyers with prayers. They will be distributed to all 25,000 pilgrims in Gyumri. There will also be large signs on the buildings in the central square of Gyumri.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Latchikyan, what will be the new page in the lives of the Armenian people after the visit of Pope Francis?

S. L.: I believe the visit of the Pope will turn a new page for all us Armenians. Everything will be bright and lively.

Just like I returned to my birthplace, I am certain that thousands of Armenians will reinterpret their existence and wish to return to Armenia after the Pope’s visit.

I am of the opinion that one needs to live abroad in order to have a deeper, more informed and a genuine love for the Homeland. I am saying this based on my personal experience. This visit should be a ray of hope and instill hope in us.

I strongly believe that the Pope will find his place among the saints. He is not an ordinary pope.

Hayern Aysor: Mr. Latchikyan, you were living in the United States over these past couple of years. In closing, I would like to ask you to briefly tell us about your journey in life and the latest changes.

S. L.: There are two concepts-reside and live. You can live in the Homeland, but not live for the Homeland, and you can live abroad with the Homeland in your soul.

Of course, living for the Homeland in the Homeland is the most desired and the most correct.

Since I was living in a shack in Gyumri during the dark and cold years in Armenia, I had lost hope of having a home and creating. I didn’t even have the minimum conditions. That became the reason why my family and I moved to the United States of America.

However, during those years, I became convinced that a true artist can’t live abroad. An artist can live a wonderful life, but not be able to create.

Of course, I held exhibitions for the Armenian community, and I was recently granted the title of Merited Painter of the Republic of Armenia.

All this was probably preparing ground for my return to Armenia. The four-day war that took place in Artsakh in April also stirred my emotions and made me want to return with my paintings.

I returned to Armenia on April 5. I returned once and for all, with the perseverance to be with my people and with a great drive to create.

Hayern Aysor: What is your direction?

S. L.: I have come quite a long way. If you take a look at my career, you will see that my paintings portray Christian and national values.

I interpreted my life in the United States of America by creating paintings devoted to the topics in the Bible.

I couldn’t paint or even hold a brush after the devastating earthquake. I couldn’t find the strength to portray the ruins and the other brutal scenes. My house collapsed. How could I paint pictures of Gyumri? This was unacceptable. I needed time to find myself again.

At the time, I was the director of the Sergey Merkurov Painting School in Gyumri and found that it was more appropriate to renovate the school than paint.

After creating watercolor paintings, I painted a large picture of Saint Mary with Baby Jesus in her lap, and the metal bottles from the earthquake form a wreath.

This painting was received so well that one of the great painters of our days, Grigor Khanjyan said the following: “This conveys a new message in the history of Armenian arts.”

In the States, I continued to create paintings devoted to the topics in the Bible like the painting entitled “Birth of Christ”, which is a miniature painting. I also created the paintings entitled “Lowering of Christ from the Cross”, “Symbolic Supper” and more.

Creating works devoted to these topics consoled me and made my soul rest.

Interview by Gevorg Chichyan