In the Akhuryan village of the Shirak region, the ‘Vortik Gyulbekyan Retirement Home’ officially opened. It is 4,000 square meters and has three subsidiary buildings. The retirement home is expected to be able to house 27 people.
The home, which has modern furnishings, all necessities for living, and which has furniture created from real wood, was financed by Albert Sevins’ foundation. His family, after escaping from Western Armenia, settled in Germany. Albert Sevins is Vortik Gyulbekyan’s grandson, and his daughter is a famous architect. Vortik Gyulbekyan is Armenian businessman Galust Gyulbekyan’s cousin.
Three hundred guests were present at the official opening ceremony. Some of the guests were diplomats from several European countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Turkey. Hrant Dink’s wife Racquel was also present, as well as the descendants of Gyulbekyan.
The building was blessed by the leader of the Gugarats diocese, Archbishop Father Sepuh Chuljyan. The priest said that Gyumri also has a retirement home, but it was something new for the Akuryan region, especially since it was built on the slopes of Alagyaz. He thanked Albert Sevins, who does a lot of other charity work.
“The home carries Vortik Gyulbekyan’s name, so it’s easy to understand that these people are the descendants of the great Gyulbekyan family. Our compatriots show their patriotism in the best way, through strengthening Mother Armenia and through strengthening Armenians in Mother Armenia, so that Armenia can become stronger. The strengthening of Armenia is decided through every Armenian’s national identity, consciousness, and love for their country. This is a declaration of love shown through charity. Charity is a gift from God,” Father Sepuh said.
Not only people from the Shirak region can live in the “Vortik Gyulbekyan Retirement Home,” but also people from all regions of Armenia who fit the appropriate requirements. But preference will be given to people from the Shirak region, especially from Gyumri, who live in small homes and are alone. It does not matter whether they have descendants or not. The main goal of the foundation is to remove one more small home from the city.
The retirement home has eight residents already. One of them, former accountant of the Gyumri Pedagogical Institute Anahit Tovmasyan, said in an interview that she sold her house and went to Russia, but she couldn’t live among Russians. She came back to Armenia but had no home. “I rented in one of the apartment buildings next to the pedagogical institute, but I was then unable to pay rent, so I came here,” Ms. Anahit said, who was brought the retirement home by the priest.
Another resident, Ms. Marieta, said that she came to live here on April 20th. Her son lives in Russia and lives in poor conditions. She rented for 15 years, but since she was a retiree, it became impossible to survive anymore. “I came here, a place that is lovely and far away from all troubles, and they gave me a happy and peaceful lifestyle. I have all the right living necessities, and they give us meals three times a day,” she said.
One of the other women, Julieta Mikayelyan, is from the Hatsik village. She said that she lived in one of the small houses. Her son died and she remained by herself. The village leader then suggested that she move to the retirement home.
Nune Arevshatyan
