Harut Lakhoyan moved to Armenia before the crisis in Syria began. In 2001, he was accepted to study at the Department of Programming at the State Architectural University of Yerevan. After finishing his studies, he decided to stay in Armenia. Like many locals, he had difficulties finding a job in this profession, so he started to work in a completely different field while adjusting to life in Armenia.
“It is very difficult for a Diaspora Armenian to become adapted to the local life because in our imaginations Armenia is different; a more idyllic place, but the reality is starker,” he shares.
Harut’s parents were not pleased with his decision to stay in Armenia. They would have preferred for him to return to Aleppo where he could find a good job and have an easier life. “For me, it would be easier to live in almost any foreign country other than Armenia. Armenia is the most difficult option, but the most preferable to me, as well”, he says.
The so-called well-off life of Syria was not for Harut because he aspired for more than Syria could offer. “In terms of culture, Syria, my birthplace, was on a lower and limited level. Having lived in Armenia for five years, the contrasts between Yerevan-Aleppo have become more obvious to me,” he mentions.
“Despite this, the human relationships are on a higher level in Aleppo, than in Yerevan. Even Arab people were more likely to reach out and be helpful”, he adds.
Despite many disappointments in Armenia, Harut has also met many good people and these interactions and friendships make him see Armenia in a positive way too.
In 2006, Harut graduated university and because he couldn’t find a job in his profession, he began to work as a real estate agent. When, in 2006, the inflow of Armenians started as a result of the Syrian crisis, he observed many controversial phenomena in Armenia. He discovered that many people took the opportunity to take advantage in the field of real estate, directly harming Syrian Armenians. In the meantime, there were people who lived abroad, but provided their apartments in Yerevan for the repatriates.
Harut has been married for over a year to a local Armenian. They rent an apartment because he finds that buying an apartment is difficult not only for him, but also for many local young people, especially those who don’t receive state assistance or an inheritance from their parents.
Despite the difficulties, currently Harut is developing a serious business with two partners. As a result of long negotiations, last year they became the exclusive representatives of the famous Swiss company Swissbacks not only in Armenia, but also in 20 countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Iran and others.
The company offers innovative works of jewelry, like new locks for earrings, invented by the French jeweler Sebastian Barier. It is a one piece flexible lock which easily clips the earring onto the ear. Swissbacks was established in 2006 and, since then, there have been many attempts to create this type of locks. The first model didn’t succeed, because it would break after clipping several times. The current model of locks can be used around 15,000 times, but before reaching this result, 60,000 pair of earrings were broken. Today the locks have such an advanced mechanism that even Chinese companies cannot copy it. The only company that could develop it is the world-known Swiss company Rollex.
On the basis of these locks the Armenian jeweler also developed 70 models of earrings, which will be displayed and sold at the “Dalma Garden Mall” soon.
Being an innovation, the locks of Swissbacks are more expensive than the gold of the earrings. The advantage of the locks is not only how it looks, but also the usability. Firstly, it is attached to the earring, so its loss is less likely. Also, they don’t hurt the ear, one can even wear them when sleeping, without any discomfort.
Harut hopes that his business will succeed, because it is innovative and there are no competitors in the field. He and his partners do everything according to the law. Despite this, he thinks that there are problems with legislative regulations in Armeia. “If we want to become a developed country, then we should do it gradually rather than by bringing in a model and trying to apply it directly. It’s the same as putting a Ferrari engine on an old Soviet car. That car will not run”, he says.
He finds that in terms of business and entrepreneurship Armenia has a sad picture. Instead of developing the laws to support a business environment, they hinder the development.
Nonetheless, he loves Armenia and emphasizes this. “I cannot imagine my life outside of Armenia. Maybe I have a lot of patience to continue living here after many disappointments or I am not yet completely disappointed. Besides, I have overcome the fear that every repatriate experiences when moving to Armenia – the fear of being deceived. I have been deceived many times, I have lost many things and I have overcome that stage”, he laughs.
Harut is among more than 500 repatriates who are registered at the Repat Armenia Foundation. People who, by their own example, call to the Armenians living abroad to repatriate.
Translated by Irena Grigoryan
Edited by Liz McFadden
