On March 22, RA Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan received businessman Karen Papyan, who is the father of a multi-member family that is repatriating.

Greeting the guests, Minister Hranush Hakobyan stated that the family of Karen Papyan and Svetlana, who are raising five marvelous children, can serve as an example for every Armenian family. “Since 1993, you have been living far away from the homeland, particularly in the Russian city of Perm and have established the Armenian community and Armenian cultural center, you haven’t forgotten about your roots, history and native land. You have also kept Armenia in your hearts and have provided your children with an Armenian upbringing. It’s not by chance that in 2011, you received a certificate of appreciation from the Ministry of Diaspora for your contributions to the preservation of the Armenian identity and to the development of the Armenia-Diaspora partnership. Today, I’m more than happy to learn that your big and beautiful family has decided to repatriate and live and create in the free and independent Armenia,” Minister of Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan stated.

Expressing gratitude to the Minister and the entire Ministry, Karen Papyan stated that the “Ari Tun” Program of the Ministry of Diaspora played a decisive role in the family’s decision to repatriate. “In 2017, my three children participated in the “Ari Tun” Program, returned with great impressions and asked us to return and live in Armenia. Thanks to the “Ari Tun” Program, my children showed a greater love for the homeland. They want to go to school here, receive a higher education and work. I’m certain that they will be good citizens and good Armenians,” the father of the repatriated family stated.

Minister Hranush Hakobyan emphasized that Karen Papyan’s family’s decision to return to the homeland serves as a beautiful and inspiring example for many other Armenian families.