“Think for a moment about what you have done for your nation when you lay your head down to sleep every night”-this call of Warrior Andranik is itself a call for patriotism addressed to the Armenian nation, and it is the duty of each and every Armenian to think about it.

Perhaps it is this winged word that inspired French-Armenian businessman Thomas Ipekian and brought him to Armenia where he has decided to build a school in order to leave something behind for the young generation. In an interview with Hayern Aysor, Ipekian sincerely said he also wanted to fulfill his late sisters’ dream-a dream that has a story behind it…

Thomas Ipekian visited the editorial office of Hayern Aysor with his cousin, Canadian-Armenian cultural figure Nareg Ghazarian.

We have always had the feeling of having a debt to our school and benefactors

My parents were witnesses of the Armenian Genocide. In the 1920s, they left the city of Tigranakert of Western Armenia for Syria where they met each other, got married and had four daughters and one son.

We were poor in Aleppo. My father was a shoemaker, and my mother-a tailor. They worked hard to raise us and sent us to study at the Usumnasirats Armenian School in Aleppo. I studied with my younger sister, Mary. In those years, we had trouble paying the tuition fees, but the local benefactors and the school’s principal helped us a lot.

Unfortunately, we were the last alumni of the Armenian school since it was closed down for different reasons in 1961. My sister and parents moved to Canada, but I moved to France where I got married.

We have always had the feeling of having a debt to our school and benefactors and wanted to pay that “debt” back somehow. Whatever we have achieved, we have achieved it through the pious acts of others. Unfortunately, my two sisters passed away, without ever fulfilling their dream, and I decided to continue the task.

I had initially decided to build a school in Aleppo, but due to the war, I changed my mind and decided to build a school that would commemorate the Usumnasirats Armenian School of Aleppo in Armenia. With that mission, my cousin, Nareg and I came to Armenia and met with Minister of Diaspora of the Republic of Armenia Hranush Hakobyan.

After the meeting, the Minister suggested that we renovate a school in poor condition instead of building a new one since there are many dilapidated schools in remote villages across Armenia. We will be visiting some schools and make a choice. Generally, it doesn’t matter where the school is located. The important thing is the fact that I will be helping Armenia. We have already formed the plan for construction. It is going to be a comprehensive complex with the prototype of a French school (a park, a nice yard, sections designed for sports, security system).

My parents have taught us to love people and do good deeds since we were little

I really want to fulfill my dream since this will be the first program that I am trying to carry out in Armenia. I have visited Armenia four times, but only as a tourist. My first visit was in 2011. One of my visits with my family was marked by the baptism of my grandchildren in Etchmiadzin.

Armenia is my home. I live far away from the Homeland, but I am always concerned about the state of our country and people and always follow the news. I want to see Armenia as a developed and progressive country and to see the Armenians as a unified nation.

All the places in Armenia are close to my heart. I love the clean air in Armenia and Armenian national dishes, as well as the kind and sincere people. In general, my parents have taught us to love people and do good deeds since we were little. They have always told us to be patriotic and stay true to our national roots.

Nareg Ghazarian summed up the conversation

Over the past years, I have been looking at Armenia differently. I have decided to repatriate and am taking actions in that direction. I don’t want to visit Armenia as a guest. When I visit Armenia, I examine the surroundings to see how I can live and what I need, after which I discuss with my family.

This is the first time I am visiting Armenia with my uncle, and I am very happy. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to enjoy being in Armenia for a long period of time. My uncle and I have great memories. When I was little, I would go to his house to play with the children, and my uncle’s wife would always greet me with a smile on her face. My uncle has always urged me to show concern about the future of Armenia.

Now I convey to my children the spirit of patriotism that he conveyed to me. My elder daughter is about to graduate from school. She wants to become a veterinarian. She will be presenting her plan in Armenian and is very excited about that.

I am a measurement specialist, but I also have a talent in acting. Last year, I performed with the actors of Henrik Malayan Theater.

As for my favorite places in Armenia, to put it shortly, I love the cities of Yeghegnadzor and Vardenis.

Gevorg Chichyan