Hayern Aysor’s correspondent sat down for an interview with Marseille-based alpinist Ara Khachadourian, who was hosted at the editorial office of the Hayern Aysor electronic newspaper of the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

Hayern Aysor: Welcome to Armenia where, as you said, you haven’t been to for nearly 37 years. On May 22, 2016, you reached the highest peak in the world, that is, the peak of Mount Everest, waving the national flags of Armenia and Artsakh. What was the idea and purpose of that unique, dangerous and difficult pilgrimage?

Ara Khachadourian: My goal is not only to reach peaks, but draw the international community’s attention to the problems of Armenia and Artsakh with such initiatives. I called on all mankind to recognize and condemn the unprecedented crime perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in 1915, that is, the Armenian Genocide. On this occasion, the Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia awarded me with the Gold Medal, which is the highest award of the Ministry of Diaspora. I am here to receive it and express my deep gratitude to the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

Hayern Aysor: Back in 2011, you also reached the peak of Mount Ararat. How did you feel? Were you able to see our Historic Homeland from the peak of that Sacred Mountain?

A. K.: I was obviously nervous, but I wasn’t able to see anything because it was foggy. I waved the Armenian national flag and had an indescribable feeling. My roots trace back to Aintab (Western Armenia). During the massacres, my grandmother lost her mother and sisters. Later, my family moved to Lebanon, and I lived there until I turned 19.

Hayern Aysor: Ara, could you list the peaks that you have reached?

A. K.: It would be my pleasure! In 2007, I reached the peak of Mont-Blans (White Mountain) in France, in 2011-Mount Ararat; in 2012-Kilimanjaro; in 2013-Vuascara, Peru; in 2013-Kotopaksi, Ecuador; in 2013-Sazham, Bolivia. I have also reached the Lenin Peak in Kyrgyzstan. In 2016, I reached 8 peaks of Mount Everest.

Hayern Aysor: You have reached such great peaks. Do Frenchmen know about this? Have they written about it in newspapers?

A. K.: Of course, they know me. The presses have written about me, and many have shown interest.

Hayern Aysor: What is your profession?

A. K.: I am a jeweler. Many Armenians of Syria and Lebanon have command of that craft. I began to get involved in sports in Lebanon at the age of 12 and participated in the first running marathon.

Hayern Aysor: What will be your next victory campaign?

A. K.: My feet got cold at Everest. For a moment, the doctors decided to conduct a surgery and cut my toes, but I was able to avoid that intervention and am currently undergoing medical treatment, after which I will be holding my personal marathon, running 4,500 kilometers from Marseille to Armenia for three months. My toes are damaged, but I will fulfill my decision after undergoing treatment.

Hayern Aysor: Haven’t you ever been afraid that you might not resist? After all, many people have died while reaching very high peaks since the lungs of a human being are incapable of resisting that extraordinary pressure. Haven’t you ever been afraid that your initiative will fail and that you won’t be able to come down?

A. K.: Of course, there are many difficulties and there have also been cases of death, However, I have never been afraid. I have trained day and night and continue to undergo training. I swim, run, ride a bike and conduct breathing exercises so that I can participate in the running marathon.

Hayern Aysor: What will this marathon be dedicated to?

A. K.: I always dedicate my initiatives to the recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. This time I have prepared a letter that I will hand to Erdogan when I reach Turkey, calling on Erdogan to recognize the Armenian Genocide. I am also well aware of the military operations that Azerbaijan unleashed in Artsakh this year. I will also be handing a letter to President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, telling him that wars don’t solve problems, that youth from both sides are dying and that Artsakh has been one of the states of Armenia. I also plan on visiting Artsakh.

Hayern Aysor: Have you managed to tour Armenia? What did you like the most?

A. K.: We visited Haghartsin. I have only been here for a couple of days. I liked everything I saw. I liked the ladies…

Hayern Aysor: What will you do after running from Marseille to Armenia? Which peak will you try to reach?

A. K.: I will go to the Moon and call on the whole world to recognize the Armenian Genocide!

Hayern Aysor: Ara, you are joking, right?

A. K.: Not at all! It’s the truth! However, I need a lot of money since my plan requires a lot of funding.

Interview by Karine Avagyan