“I returned home. What am I to do?
Inspired by the program "Come Home," photojournalist and Karabakh war participant Vardan Hovhannisyan arrived in Armenia and went straight to the Ministry of Diaspora.
"I went to them and said, "You called me and here I am. What do you offer me to do?" But I was told the program was an advertisement and referred to people under 25 who are "called home" for 15-20 days," Vardan Hovhannisyan told A1+.
"I was told at the ministry that the National Assembly has not passed a law on repatriation and they had to wait for the National Assembly's decision. But I came encouraged by the ads broadcast on foreign TV channels. I though a brilliant future was waiting for me in Armenia. I came hoping that I would be offered a job and I would be able to resettle in Armenia with my family."
Vardan has lived in Spain for 14 years. He didn't dare to take his minor children to Armenia.
"You cannot deceive people with neon illumination and statements that life has bettered in Armenia. What's the use of these elite buildings if people cannot earn their daily bread?" says Vardan.
"The program aims to contribute to the repatriation of Armenian youth, strengthen their national consciousness, assist in Armenia-Diaspora psychological and cultural unity and get Diaspora Armenians familiarized with the customs and traditions of their peers in Armenia," reads the advertisement.
Vardan Hovhannisyan advises all Diaspora Armenians to read the Ministry's website carefully before coming to Armenia in order not be beguiled like him.
"The Ministry had better write "Come home, have a rest and go back!" advises Vardan.
