Armenians are scattered across the globe. Although they are born and very often live abroad, they always have a sense of happiness of a person with a Homeland that can’t be interpreted, a Homeland, the doors of which are always open for its sons. My interview for Hayern Aysor was with Head of the UN Committee on Information and Communication Technologies and Youth Affairs and founding President of ATHGO Armen Orujyan, who is from the United States and was hosted at the RA Ministry of Diaspora.

Karine Avagyan: Mr. Orujyan, welcome to the Homeland! Please tell us the purpose of your visit to Armenia and particularly the RA Ministry of  Diaspora.

Armen Orujyan: I am in Armenia at the invitation of one of my colleagues to deal with environmental issues. I haven’t been to Armenia for ten years. In that period, Armenia established the Ministry of Diaspora, and I am interested in its activities. The first time I met the Minister was in parliament in 2005. I have come to the Ministry of Diaspora to meet and talk to the Minister and present my plans. I have particularly come to conduct studies devoted to high technologies.

Karine Avagyan: After all these years, you are in the homeland once again. What is Armenia like today? What about Yerevan?

Armen Orujyan: Today, there are many people in Armenia who speak and understand English. When I was here in 2005, few people could communicate in the language, and I would have problems. Today, I see that innovative technologies have advanced in Armenia. I visited TUMO Center for Creative Technologies, UWC Dilijan, Ayb Educational Complex, and I am charmed and impressed. There are many positive changes in Yerevan today, but there is not much greenery.

Karine Avagyan: Armen, why did you move to the United States?

Armen Orujyan: My family and I moved when I was 15 years old. It wasn’t my decision, but I will honestly say that I am happy that I am living there because life in the United States helped me become who I am today.

Karine Avagyan: Are you planning on returning and settling in Armenia?

Armen Orujyan: Frankly, I love Los Angeles and refer to it as home. Armenia is where my soul is and the place to which I am very strongly connected.

Karine Avagyan: I am certain that you know about Artsakh and its problems. Are you planning on making investments in Artsakh and taking part in shaping the present and future of Artsakh and the people of Artsakh?

Armen Orujyan: I consider Artsakh an integral part of Armenia, and whatever I do, I will do it for all parts of Armenia.

Karine Avagyan: Armen, is Armenian your household language? Do your wife and children speak Armenian?

Armen Orujyan: I was born and lived in Armenia until I was 15 years old. I understand Armenian very well and speak the language. Of course, I mainly speak with my friends, but I mainly speak English. I received a Russian education and have trouble writing in Armenian. I also don’t know many words in Armenian. My wife is an Armenian woman. We have been married for 15 years, but we don’t have children yet.

Karine Avagyan: When the plane lands at Zvartnots International Airport, where is the first place you want to go?

Armen Orujyan: It’s obvious that the first thing I try to do is rest and then go to Republic Square. I love the masterpieces of architecture of Tamanyan.

Karine Avagyan: What does the homeland mean to you? How do you feel when you say “Armenia”?

Armen Orujyan: The homeland is my base, the land of my soul.

Karine Avagyan: What is the best type of Armenian for you? How would you like to see Armenians?

Armen Orujyan: What’s important for me is our nation’s growth and progress. We are an ancient nation, but constantly telling the world about the values that we have had is not enough. We need to be able to show ourselves today. We don’t even need to show. The important thing is to succeed, and that will be clear to see. I would always like to see Armenians create and succeed.

Karine Avagyan: Thank you, Mr. Orujyan! We hope one day the land of your soul definitely becomes your only and irreplaceable landmark.

Interview by Karine Avagyan