Uncovering Armenia's beauty by giving back: Analia's story

Analia is a proud descendant of Armenian immigrants and has always been close to her maternal roots. Her journey started at the age of six when she attended an Armenian school where she learned the language and participated in traditional songs and dances. From those experiences, her love for art grew, and years later, she pursued her passion for drama and became an actress.

Despite growing up in Argentina, Analia's Armenian heritage has always been present in her life, thanks to the lovely relationship she had with her grandmother, Yeranuhi. With her, she learned about Armenian cuisine and the distinct touch that only her grandmother's hands could make. Although she never met her grandfather, Analia's connection to her Armenian roots remained strong.

"One of my greatest passions is traveling, and I've been fortunate to visit many countries around the world. I think that every journey is always a life experience. I like to live through the culture and the people of the country I visit. I think that's the reason why I always knew that the day I visited Armenia it would be not only to know its beautiful landscapes and its history but also to offer something from myself to the land of my ancestors".

A few years ago, Analia was able to travel to Greece and visit the Armenian church where her grandparents got married before migrating to Argentina in 1923. It was a thrilling experience that fueled her desire to visit Armenia and learn more about her ancestral roots.

Her desire to volunteer in Armenia led her to the Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC).

"I just searched how to volunteer in Armenia and that's how I found AVC".

Analia spent two weeks in Armenia as a volunteer teacher of Italian and Spanish for adults at AVC. Her experience was beyond anything she had imagined. She loved the country's atmosphere, especially in the Armenian churches, and enjoyed the people's warmth and hospitality.

In addition to her volunteer work, Analía works as an actress in an Italian group she created with her colleague, and they put up performances in Argentina for the last 10 years. She loves to travel, but not as a tourist. Her passion lies in experiencing different cultures and making meaningful connections with people.

During her first trip to Europe, she fell in love with Italy's language, culture, and places, prompting her to learn Italian and eventually become an Italian teacher. Analia has been teaching Italian and its culture for more than 12 years and has merged her two passions of theatre and Italian by creating an Italian theatre workshop she runs with a colleague at the Dante Alighieri Association in Buenos Aires.

During her stay in Armenia, she also took an Armenian language course, which deepened her connection to her roots.

Analia's dream is to return to Armenia for a longer period and help people. She believes in sharing her experiences and knowledge through many recreational and artistic activities, promoting cultural and
educational exchange.

As she celebrates her 50th birthday, Analia sees her volunteer work as a gift to herself and to others.

"I think that the best present I could give myself is to give others a little of what I've received and to share with them what I've lived. I'm grateful for having been born into an Armenian family".

Analia's journey to Armenia was not just about discovering her roots but also about giving back to the land of her ancestors. Her experience as a volunteer teacher at AVC was one of the most fulfilling moments of her life, and she hopes to return to Armenia for a longer period to continue helping others. Analia's journey is a testament to the power of giving back and the importance of staying connected to one's cultural roots.

Written by Marina Epremyan