It is not easy to get over uncertainty…
“Shushi fell to the enemy” – an inexplicable and unthinkable phrase for every Armenian…
Vahagn and his family did not believe that such thing would happen. They thought this war would be like the previous one, lasting no more than four days… On November 9, it was declared that we lost control of Shushi. The war ended…
It has been almost two years since Vahagn Yessayan’s family of six is living in Gyumri. They often change flats either because of the rent increase, or sale or whatever reason… They are trying to adapt to the new city, to changing flats and the mode of life; to the irregularity of six mismatched plates, temporary workplace and worries. It is hard, because the environment and daily life they were used to no longer exists.
“Shushi fell to the enemy” – an inexplicable and unthinkable phrase for every Armenian…
Vahagn and his family did not believe that such thing would happen. They thought this war would be like the previous one, lasting no more than four days… On November 9, it was declared that we lost control of Shushi. The war ended…
It has been almost two years since Vahagn Yessayan’s family of six is living in Gyumri. They often change flats either because of the rent increase, or sale or whatever reason… They are trying to adapt to the new city, to changing flats and the mode of life; to the irregularity of six mismatched plates, temporary workplace and worries. It is hard, because the environment and daily life they were used to no longer exists.
Family portrait together with both Vahagn’s and Lusine’s moms.
Lusine was setting the dinner table.
An afternoon tea table with fruits and sweets.
Lusine says that people in Nagorno Karabakh may drink tea 3-4 times per day.
Lusine says that people in Nagorno Karabakh may drink tea 3-4 times per day.
“We face many hardships now, and are trying to overcome those… But it is not easy to get over uncertainty. We are hopeful things will settle down by God’s will,” Vahagn writes in a letter.
During the time living in Gyumri, Vahagn learned hairdressing. He is the one cutting children’s hair since then.
Portrait of Hayk, the youngest child of the family.
Paper quilling is one of the hobbies of elder children Mariam and Nver.
Portrait of Lusine, wife of Vahagn, mom of three kids. She’s working as a hairdresser in a salon near their house in Gyumri.
Mom of Vahagn. She’s also living in Gyumri together with her husband and their other son.
Vahagn taking his youngest child Hayk from kindergarten.
Portrait of Lira, mom of Lusine. She’s living with her daughter’s family.
Hayk was very interested in the camera, always wanted to see what it is and try to take pictures.
. A usual family gathering at the end of the day.
Portrait of Nver, the middle child.
Portrait of Mariam, the eldest child.
Portrait of Vahagn, the father of the family.
Mrs. Lira, the elder family member and Lousine’s mother, had never thought of leaving Shushi throughout her whole life and having gone through the wars.
“During the first war, my brothers went to the frontline; the youngest lost his hand; my nephew died… But we were comforted by the victory. It somehow healed our wounds. We did not leave Shushi during the April War. We prayed for an end to war. The 44-day War was the most horrific… We could not save our homeland.”
Vahagn and his son Nver just hanging out. Nver is trying some acrobatic movements.
Portrait of Mariam, the eldest daughter. She was telling about their last visit to Nagorno Karabakh.
The children of the family have quickly adapted to the new city. The schoolchildren Mariam and Nver have made new friends. They love Gyumri and their new teachers…
The youngest of the family, Hayk has special needs. Before the war, he could not yet speak; after the war, the stress has grown.
They have no answer to the question of returning to Artsakh. Mrs. Lira is silent… When living in their small Shushi apartment, they dreamt of building a large and luminous house. They still have the same dream, but it has become harder with less hope to make it come true. They have no place to go; the family will stay in Armenia. They need to overcome uncertainty and differences of the new place. “If it is ever possible to build a big and bright house, the location will be the same – Shushi…
They have no answer to the question of returning to Artsakh. Mrs. Lira is silent… When living in their small Shushi apartment, they dreamt of building a large and luminous house. They still have the same dream, but it has become harder with less hope to make it come true. They have no place to go; the family will stay in Armenia. They need to overcome uncertainty and differences of the new place. “If it is ever possible to build a big and bright house, the location will be the same – Shushi…
