Benefactor Vahe Gabrache and painter, designer Pierre Koukjian live in Switzerland. What brought these two people together was not only friendship, but also the arts and Armenianness. They are well-known people who have achieved success in a foreign country, but wish to help their homeland as well.

The story/portrait is about two Armenians living in Switzerland.

Pierre Koukjian – a painter and designer whose works reflect his inner world

I was born in Beirut and have lived in various cities across Europe, but I am currently based in Geneva. I organize exhibitions of paintings and sculptures in different countries around the world. This is my third time in Armenia. Interestingly, I love Armenia more and more every time I return.

My works are showcased in various museums and are part of private collections. As I mentioned, I have held personal exhibitions in different countries and in my hometown of Beirut, but I still have not had the opportunity to showcase my work in Armenia. I talked about this during my meeting with Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan. I have already started considering it. I would like to donate a sculpture of mine to Armenia. I have some ideas that I will enhance. During our meeting, the Minister expressed the idea that the power of the Armenian nation lies in the nation’s unity. When I return to Switzerland, I will try to think about this and present our “power” through a sculpture.

You know, in reality, each person is an artist who tries to show his inner world in different ways, be it through painting, sculpting, photography, fashion design or music. This means the person shows what he feels and thinks through that. The same goes for me. I love working with different materials-metal, glass and stone. I also love making innovations.

What inspires me? It is hard for me to give a definite answer. I will try to present it in the following way: when something matures inside of me, I try to express it through a painting or sculpture and for myself, and later, other people like this as well. We artists convey new air to all that is within us, and our works are the best reflection of that.

You know, I have also noticed something amazing. I never work hard to convey the air of Armenia and the Armenians to my works because it is conveyed automatically. When I look at my works after they are finished, I notice how Armenian they look. What surprises me is the fact that I was able to convey the air of Armenia and the Armenians without even thinking about it.

I would like to share a story in light of this. I had organized an exhibition of my latest works in Geneva. I was looking at one of my works made from steel called “Sprout” for a long time, and at that exact moment, I discovered for myself how similar it was to us Armenians, who are “sprouting” again and are being reborn. That painting conveys a very positive message.

Vahe Gabrache, who believes that people can change the course of events

I would like to share a story about this painting by Pierre. In June, we watched the “Amen” musical show in Armenia, which is about the historical journey of the Armenians who continue to live in spite of their losses and their trials and tribulations. You get the same feeling when you look at Pierre’s painting “Sprout”.

As for me, I was also born in Beirut, but my roots trace back to Trabizon. In 1957, my family left Beirut for Switzerland where my brother, sister and I started going to a Swiss school. I have been living in Switzerland ever since.

You know, there is a time for everything. This might sound surprising, but “Armenianness” awakened in me a little late. I was in a foreign country and environment, and the students of my school were mainly Swiss. There were not many Armenian students. One day, I suddenly got a call from a young man telling me he wanted to invite me to a barbecue event, and I agreed.

I will always remember that day because something ridiculous happened to me. However, that day also turned my life around. I became “infected” with Armenianness, and I have been involved with the solution to the issues of Armenia and the Armenians ever since.

I have been the President of the Armenian Union of Switzerland for the past 25 years. I have quit my job as president in order to pave the way for young people. I am currently involved in the activities of funds and foundations, three of which are under my direction.

Since November 2016, due to personal matters, I have had more free time on my hands. I have been visiting Armenia more often to see what I can do to help my homeland and make a contribution.

I am interested in winemaking because I love wine. There is a crazy boy by the name of Vahe Keushguerian, who is the founding director of Semina Consulting and who will go down in history for the work he has done.

About six or seven years ago, we would have trouble finding good wine whenever we would visit Armenia. Now our Swiss, French and Italian friends can enjoy the best wines in Armenia, and this is the honor of Vahe as well.

There is always a need for people who can change the course of events. Switzerland is known to the world as a country of clocks and watches, but since 1970, the industry had been falling, and there were competitors. However, one man by the name of Nicolas Hayek managed to turn everything around. He created the Swatch company, which started producing a watch that was not very expensive, but function very well and correctly. With this, Nicolas Hayek turned a new page over in the history of watches. Whereas Swiss watches used to cost a lot and not everyone could afford it, today, one can purchase a high-quality Swiss watch for different prices, and this is due to Nicolas Hayek’s progressive mindset.

For me, Vahe Keushguerian is like Nicolas Hayek in winemaking. I have met him several times and have seen what he does in Armenia.

As I said, I have started visiting Armenia more often. My wife, who is non-Armenian, also loves Armenia, but I want her to love Armenia more. I have a daughter who has visited Armenia twice. I hope my family and I visit Armenia along with Pierre in September.

As far as the activities of funds and foundations are concerned, I must say that the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Foundation takes care of all the needs of the Saint Hakob Armenian Church and Armenian Center in Geneva.

Fondacion Armenia provides assistance to Armenia.

The Alliance Armenie Foundation helps the city of Gyumri. The Alliance Armenie Foundation and the Boghossian Foundation have done quite a lot in Gyumri, helping Sister Arusyak Satchonyan in particular.

The Philibosian-Pilosian Fund grants scholarships to students of Armenia.

Now when I have more free time, I want to help Armenia and the young people of Armenia. After all, Armenia has many talented young people who come up with great ideas.

There are many progressive young people in the IT sector. Recently, I met a young person who had made an interesting innovation for electronic mail. Switzerland is a banking country, and the IT innovations might be helpful for Switzerland.

During our stay in Armenia, we also visited a furniture factory. Pierre and I can also work in this direction and primarily in terms of design.

There is a lot of work to do in Armenia, and there is no need to go to China and start a business there at all.

Lusine Abrahamyan

Source: Hayern Aysor