The citizens of Armenia hosting participants of the “Ari Tun” Program of the RA Ministry of Diaspora as host families have different professions and world views, but they have something In common, and that is the heartfelt hospitality that is characteristic of Armenians and their veneration for guests. It is this approach that warms the young Diaspora Armenians and ties them to the Homeland with invisible strings. Such hospitality is one of the national traditions of the Armenian people that the young Armenians of different countries learn. Perhaps they even take “sparks” of that cordial reception and, who knows, those “sparks” might turn into a fire years later. During my interview with a representative of a host family, Mariana Grigoryan at the editorial office of Hayern Aysor, what amazed me was my compatriot’s generosity and willingness to host the participants, as well as her sense of responsibility and how much importance she attached to the job that she is trusted with.

Hayern Aysor: Mrs. Grigoryan, what made you want to host young Armenians from the Diaspora and several of them at that? After all, it is a worry and a great financial, psychological and moral responsibility. Of course, one of the major preconditions is the manifestation of good will. A host must also have a big heart and soul.

Mariana Grigoryan: I am a public servant and the director of Kindergarten #153 of the Kanakert-Zeytun Administrative District of Yerevan. The head of our district, Gevorg Ghazaryan (he has been dismissed from office) gathered us, held a consultation, told us that we had to host the participants of the “Ari Tun” Program and asked which of us wanted to and could host them. I agreed, supported the young head of our district and hosted two sisters, Ovsanna and Zovinar from Belgium. It turned out that they were cousins of Hrant Dink. My other guest was Sona from Spain. The person in charge of coordinating the activities asked me if I could host two more participants from Russia. I agreed with pleasure. They were siblings whom I gave a separate room. That was two years ago. My family always hosts many people. So, hosting guests is a great pleasure for us. As the Armenian people say, the guest is God’s guest. I was amazed that the participants from Belgium didn’t even know a word in Russian and that the participants from Russia didn’t know a word in Armenian, but in a short amount of time, they were able to understand each other. They all loved Armenian barbecue. My husband would barbecue every other day. He wanted to please the participants. Despite his busy schedule, he managed to find time to make barbecue.  My family consists of three members. In the mornings, one of us would take those five children to the Ministry of Diaspora so that they could start their tours to historic and cultural monuments in Armenia. When they would return in the evenings, we would take them out for strolls. We visited Lake Sevan, Oshakan, a theater, the opera house and cafes. They also participated in an Armenian wedding…I often don’t leave home, but I would organize something interesting for them almost every day…When the camping event was launched, the Belgian-Armenian sisters called me and told me to come, saying “Yekur Hos” (Come here in Western Armenian). I thought they had problems and immediately went to the camp, but they said they wanted me to be with them…The Belgian-Armenian girls had told their parents so much about me that they came to Armenia with their father last year for three days and spent two of those days with me. One of the girls, Ovsanna had a boyfriend. She had decided to get married and said I had to attend her wedding ceremony. She told me that if I rejected, she would be miserable…Yes, I agree that being a host is a great responsibility, but besides having good conditions and accommodating a guest in suitable rooms, one needs to be able to “accommodate” them in his or her soul and heart. Thank God, all the members of our family are open-hearted. We have received all the participants like relatives, and they have become very attached to our family.

Hayern Aysor: How long have you been hosting the participants? How many have you hosted? Have all the participants been in solidarity? Haven’t there been problems?

M. G.: I started hosting the Diaspora Armenian teens and youth in 2013 and have hosted 16 participants to this day. This year, I hosted three participants. By profession, I am a psychologist. I have worked and still work with children. So, I understand their psychologies, and thank God, there have never been problems. My peaceful and harmonious family received and hosted them with pleasure. Those who didn’t know Armenian at all, took my advice and slowly started speaking Armenian, even in broken Armenian. When the Armenians from the Russian Federation tried to speak Russian, I would interrupt them and tell them to speak Armenian. I gave them musical alphabets as gifts. They started learning and took the books with them. Now one of the girls from Russia, Tatevik, is in Armenia. An Armenian boy fell in love with her. I also met that boy and wanted to know whom my “daughter” had chosen. I advised the boy to continue his studies since Tatevik was studying law. So, I am also concerned about my Tatevik’s future. Today we have an important place to go. I have to buy a dress for Tatevik and am rushing to the store where she is waiting for me. These are the kinds of relations with the participants whom I have hosted.

Hayern Aysor: Which countries are the countries from where the Armenians have had a hard time adapting to the new environment? What do you think is the reason?

M. G.: The Armenians from Russia have a harder time. They don’t communicate very much and are sort of cold. I think it is due to the environment in which they have lived and their families. They don’t speak Armenian at all, and this is very painful for me.

Hayern Aysor: Did all the members of your family support your decision?

M. G.: Definitely! As I already said, we are used to hosting many guests, especially when our guests are young Armenians from the Diaspora, most of which visit Armenia for the first time and stay with Armenian families. So, I feel more committed. All the participants have felt very free at our house and have been in the center of attention. My husband is a businessman and is very busy, but he has always made their favorite dishes such as the tasty Armenian barbecue for the guests. My son is studying to obtain two Master’s degrees and is also very busy, but he mainly spends his time with the guests.

Hayern Aysor: What interesting events have you participated in during those days? Where have you taken them?

M. G.: Last autumn marked my mother’s 92^nd birthday. I am from Oshakan where my sister lives. On that occasion, the local culture home had organized an event to celebrate autumn. It was a great and unforgettable event that my guests also participated in. They couldn’t find the words to express their feelings. This was also a traditional Armenian ceremony that served as a unique lesson of patriotism and of showing great love for and respect towards adults and parents.

Hayern Aysor: Mrs. Grigoryan, do you remember any extraordinary event that is connected to any one of your guests?

M. G.: Yes, there has been such an event. One of the girls staying at my home had entered a big store in the city. When the store was closing, nobody had noticed her and had locked her in. I was waiting for her. I was so worried! She wouldn’t respond to my calls. I finally managed to contact her and rushed to the store. Police officers came and opened the door. Believe me when I say that it was as if my daughter had been locked in. We hugged each other and got very emotional.

Hayern Aysor: You are a busy person. Did you manage to do everything on time when you had guests?

M. G.: I was well aware of my busy schedule when I made the decision to host the participants. I managed everything. I was able to be with my family as well. I have never regretting hosting the participants.

Hayern Aysor: Mrs. Grigoryan, you said you maintain ties with all the young Diaspora Armenians you have hosted. Have you hosted each participant as your child? Is there anyone you have established a closer connection with?

M. G.: I keep in touch with all of them. They write to me, call me on the phone and talk to me on Skype. Basically, I have another large family, but I am more connected to Tatevik Mehrabyan from the city of Nizhni Novgorod of the Russian Federation. They all are our Armenian children, our relatives, and Armenia is the home of all Armenians. When we say “Ari Tun” (Come Home), we have to make sure that home becomes a familiar place and the call brings them home. “Ari Tun”-I will add “Hayi Tun” (Home of Armenians). I praise the pro-national activities that the RA Ministry of Diaspora carries out for national preservation and highly respect the Minister of Diaspora as a state figure and a human being. I believe all the programs and events of the RA Ministry of Diaspora are important for all Armenians in Armenia and abroad.

Hayern Aysor: Thank you, Mrs. Grigoryan for being able to help establish a bridge of love between Armenia and the Diaspora with your kindness.

Karine Avagyan