Hello Armenia: Syrian Armenian Viken wants to see his Motherland peaceful and bring up his children here

YEREVAN, APRIL 1, ARMENPRESS. Syrian Armenian Viken Ketikian was a designer-architect but 4 years ago the war in Syria forced him to move to Armenia with his family. Here he has opened a small shop. Viken’s mother and father live with him in Yerevan but her wife with their children is in Ukraine now.

-Periodically I visit Syria. Damascus is relatively calm and the city has not been destroyed, but, of course, I have suffered economic losses”, Ketikian told during the interview. He mentioned that his wife and children will soon move to Yerevan. His son was 3 years old when they left Syria, now he speaks Russian and Ukrainian, a little Armenian and studies English and French at school. Viken says that if he returns to Syria he will have hardships as he has forgotten the Arabic language. Viken tells that his wife’s father, who was also from Syria, met his future wife in Syria in 1980s, but later returned to Syria.

“I visited them in Ukraine for 5-6 times during the last two years but despite Ukraine is in difficult period, I could not feel such harsh conditions as in Syria. You are not afraid of stepping on a mine in Kiev”, Ketikian mentioned.

In Syria Ketikian had a construction company. “In a warring country people will hardly think about building something or renovating. If war comes to an end, I think my business will again flourish there”, he said hopefully. But he also mentioned that in Armenia he cannot do the same business so freely, as business was larger in Syria. Language barriers also impede: Russian words are more common in that sphere in Armenia, but he already fills the gap.

It is already 3-4 months he imports Syrian cotton clothing, and at the same time continues to receive online designing request from abroad. He has noted that the Armenian market lacks quality clothing and the majority of the goods are imported from Turkey. He hopes that this business will progress, Armenia will remain in peace and they will not be forced to move to Ukraine or any other country.

“My grandfathers fled to Syria after the incidents of 1915 and now we are forced to leave our home. We would not wish our grandchildren to have the same fate after years”, Viken says. His father who is a jeweler also want to stay in Armenia very much.

Some Syrian Armenians encountered difficulties in Yerevan, but our hero does not complain. He only mentions that there are difficulties with customs clearance fees which are quite high in Armenia, unlike in Syria or other countries. Viken mentions that there were difficulties regarding that issue in winter, but he hopes it will improve in summer. “Up till now we have suffered losses, time is required to empower and we spare no efforts. When my business becomes stable, I think I will launch construction activities in Armenia as well”, Viken said optimistically. He also added that they have been treated very well in Yerevan since the first day, only sometimes happens so that Western Armenian is understood with difficulties.