“Hello Armenia”. Syrian-Armenian cooks: “Made with love and a smile”

YEREVAN, JANUARY 11, ARMENPRESS. “Armenpress” will introduce under the heading “Hello Armenia” 10 life stories of the Syrian-Armenians that have arrived, resided and made a living in Armenia thanks to their craft.

The family of the Isahakian’s has been in Armenia for 2 years: they have arrived from Aleppo, leaving their home, shop and all the property there. Father and son Isahakians are cooks. They have opened a small café where 15 Syrian dishes are served. The father of the family, Grigor Isahakian confesses that when they decided to leave Syria because of war, they saw the only path to salvation in the Homeland. Grigor had been in Armenia only once before that – during the ‘80s - as a tourist.

As he points out, a lot has changed in Armenia and he does not want to compare Aleppo and Yerevan. He adds that he feels safe and sound in the Homeland and wants the war to end in Syria.

Grigor says he will return to Aleppo after the war to sell his flat and the shop so he can permanently settle in Yerevan. He has been a cook for 20 years and says he has no special recipe, but that he makes each dish with great love.

Grigor’s son – Kristopor – dreams of becoming famous as a cook in Armenia. He is Grigor’s only child who is interested in cooking. Kristopor says that it is possible to make a living by cooking in any country.

Kristopor has felt the solicitude of the Armenians, as well as some unusual things in Armenia. He says he has always dreamt of coming to Armenia and has no intention of leaving the country. The only difficulty is in the communication with the locals: the characters and the way of thinking are different.

“I feel upset when people say they want to leave Armenia. Why one should leave Armenia when they can work, create here. There is no war, famine in Armenia, you can work, create and live here. On the contrary the Armenians living abroad must think of coming back and not leaving,” he concludes.

By Hasmik Harutyunyan