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Aram’s Gyumri Through Art, Music, and Repatriation
“When I told people I was moving to Gyumri, the most common reaction I got was: ‘Why?’” Aram Papazian smiles, recalling the surprised reactions of friends and family. But for Aram, the decision to relocate to Armenia’s second-largest city was far from random—it was a step that intertwined his passions for music, graphic design, and a deep desire to contribute to Armenia’s cultural and creative scene.
From Drums to Design: Aram’s Creative Beginnings
Before Gyumri and even his time at TUMO, Aram was already making waves in the Armenian diaspora as the drummer for Garabala. This contemporary Armenian folk fusion band became popular in Lebanon and beyond. “Garabala was a band of traditional Armenian music with modern sounds,” he recalls fondly. Though the band members have since scattered across the globe, the friendships and musical experience remain strong. “Whenever we’re in the same place, we try to meet up, and if we get a chance to jam, we do.”
Aram came to Armenia in 2015 through the Birthright Armenia program. “I had a few months between my last semester and graduation, and I thought it would be a good time to do an internship,” he explains. With a degree in graphic design on the horizon, he applied to Birthright Armenia, eager to combine his skills with an internship in Yerevan. What he found was not only professional development but also a connection to a place that would eventually become home.
At Jarakite Creative Partners, he worked alongside creative minds from around the world. “It was a great environment to experience the real-world aspects of being a designer,” Aram shares. The Birthright Armenia program allowed him to immerse himself in Armenia’s creative sector, working on mass production designs and design layouts. “It was a positive and creative environment,” he adds.
Fast forward a few years and several countries later—after completing a master’s in graphic design in Italy and facing Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis—Aram found himself once again looking toward Armenia. “Since I had done Birthright and was familiar with the country, that experience helped me stay consistent in finding something in Armenia,” he says. A job opportunity with TUMO Gyumri sealed the deal. After training in Yerevan, Aram relocated to Gyumri to head the new music studio there.
For Aram, Gyumri wasn’t just a stop on a career path; it became a new beginning. “Living and working in the region has contributed to my professional growth by teaching new perspectives and ways of going forward,” he explains. He views his role as an artist and a mentor in the community, where his work influences and inspires coworkers and students. “I learn from them as well,” he says, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of his work.
Aram’s musical journey has been equally inspiring. As the drummer for Folkastic, a band that plays world/folk music from around the globe of different languages/cultures/traditions, alongside some well-known Armenian songs, Aram has helped shape the group’s sound and direction. After moving to Gyumri, he met the group’s guitarist and joined the project as a drummer. With Aram’s input and later adding a new vocalist, the band leaned more into folk music, and eventually, the name Folkastic was born.
“We work in a way that anyone who listens to our songs or attends one of our concerts—no matter where they are from—feels at home,” Aram says of the band’s mission. Today, Folkastic performs regularly, and they’ve expanded their reach beyond Gyumri to other cities in Armenia. “We’ve performed in Sevan, and we have plans for more shows, including in Yerevan,” Aram shares. The band’s growing recognition has fueled their ambitions, and they’re now working on recording new music and producing videos. “Our goal is to reach bigger festivals and, hopefully, perform abroad soon,” he adds.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Opportunities in Gyumri
Reflecting on life in Gyumri, Aram acknowledges the unique opportunities and challenges of working outside Yerevan. “One benefit, though, is seeing the country as a whole, not just the capital,” he notes. He believes that by living in and contributing to the cultural landscape of Gyumri, he’s also helping the city’s economy and bringing new energy to its residents. However, he admits there were adjustments: “There are cultural shocks, and sometimes even the weather can be challenging for some. But it’s all part of the experience.” But in his case, he’s even surprised the locals with his ‘superpower’ of handling the cold better than most.
As for the future, Aram is excited about what lies ahead, both with Folkastic and his work at TUMO. “At TUMO, I have plans for new music-related labs for students and to teach drums and percussion, which could benefit student bands,” he says. His ambition for Folkastic is equally clear: to grow the band’s presence in Armenia and beyond. “We want to perform at festivals abroad and continue to expand,” he shares.
In addition to music, Aram is also working on visual arts projects, including paintings and collage art. “I’m working on ideas that I hope to exhibit, not just in Gyumri but also in Yerevan,” he says. Aram’s vision extends beyond just music or design—he’s committed to impacting Armenia’s artistic and creative scene.
For Aram, Gyumri has become more than just a place to live—it’s a city where art, music, and personal growth intersect. “I’ve chosen to be here... to help shape the cultural and creative scene,” he says. And whether through his work at TUMO or on stage with Folkastic, Aram is doing just that.
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