Khachatur Yeremyan and Astghik Meseljyan decided to return to Armenia after the changes that took place in the country. Despite their successful lives in France in chess and other sectors, the young couple decided that raising their child in the homeland was more important than their prosperous lifestyle. They said that it is not easy to work in any country and it is important to work hard in order to be successful no matter where you are. Despite the fact that Khachatur was near his father in France, and he was in the country legally, had a home, and had a good job, the family did not want to have a future there. “Let us only be able to eat one piece of bread, but let it happen in our own country among our relatives and friends,” Astghik Meseljyan told Aravot Daily, who opened a small embroidery business with her husband and has accepted orders from France.
The feeling of longing also played a major role in the family’s decision. The young couple said that Armenia is one of the best countries in the world, especially since it is our homeland. Khachatur gave advice to anyone who wishes to leave Armenia. “You need to try and create things here. I know that it’s difficult, but everything isn’t so easy in Europe, either.” His wife said, “It’s very difficult for people to start from nothing in other countries. They can live in poor conditions for 5, 10 years and then one day become financially stable, but that’s not a reason to leave.”
As far as why they left Armenia, Khachatur Yeremyan said, “Armenia at the time was not to my liking. I kept trying to establish my own business, but it never worked out for different reasons. Everything was great in France. We worked at an Armenian chess club and received other offers. We were flourishing, but we decided to return.”
Aravot Daily met Khachatur and Astghik at the Embassy of France in Armenia, where the official opening of the CAROB program took place, which supports the reintegration of Armenian citizens who willingly returned to Armenia from Germany. It also supports Armenians from France, including this family.
Lusine Budaghyan
