YEREVAN, AUGUST 29, ARMENPRESS. The first photo exhibition of Davit Hakobyan – Personal Photographer of the President of Armenia – offers exclusive photos to the public.  The exhibition is titled “Stories from the road”.

Around 40 photos are presented in the exhibition, showing the President, international famous figures and also ordinary people – both behind the scenes and in-action.

Davit Hakobyan is photographing since 2002. From 2007 he worked in ARMENPRESS news agency, and since 2010 he is the personal photographer of the President of Armenia. Is a member of PAN Photo team since the day it was founded.

The opening ceremony of the exhibition was attended by Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration Vigen Sargsyan, Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan, lawmakers, Davit Hakobyan’s colleagues and friends.

In Davit Hakobyan’s words, it is every photographer’s dream to have a personal exhibition, which he succeeded at this stage.

“There are photos dating back to 2004 up until these days. Some of the photos have been published, and some are being published for the first time. All are memories and stories from the road, since we travel a lot for work”, Davit Hakobyan said, who has been the President’s photographer for already six years.

Asked which photo is especially impressive for him, he said: “There are many such photos, but I guess the one which depicts President Sargsyan in the Jordan River, where Jesus Christ was baptized, which wasn’t published, today it is being displayed for the first time. The photo of Japan’s Emperor is also very impressive”, he said.

Hakobyan said occasionally he suppresses emotions and hunts the historical moment. The latest similar occasional was Arthur Alexanyan becoming Olympic Champion. “I didn’t know what to do – to cheer, or to take photos, but I chose to take the photo. And the result was the caption, where the President is cheering with his arms raised high”.

According to Hakobyan, President Sargsyan is aware of the exhibition; he has seen the photos and responded positively.

Chief of Staff of the Presidential Administration Vigen Sargsyan told ARMENPRESS that Davit’s photos have always attracted him, and Davit Hakobyan’s photograph depicting Serzh Sargsyan in the Kremlin is even displayed in his office instead of the official portrait of the President.

“Looking at these photos – we see the character of the most various political figures, stance, we really remember those moments, when these photos were taken. We remember the meetings and negotiations. We are grateful to Davit for this really wonderful exhibition”, Vigen Sargsyan said.

Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan said she is happy that the young photographer got the chance to display his work, which is a piece of art. “Looking at each photo, it is clearly seen that it’s art. And the more people are involved in arts, the better our life and future will be”, she said.

In her words , Davit Hakobyan’s photos show the person – with his feelings – regardless the fact the person is an official or ordinary person.

The exhibition opened in the Painters’ Union and will be available August 29-30.

Photos by Gevorg Perkuperkyan