Birthright Armenia is 20: Relive the Summit!

Can you believe it? Birthright Armenia turned 20(!!!), and we just wrapped up a five-day anniversary celebration in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Vanadzor. We want to share the unforgettable moments and stories that made this milestone so special!

Day 1: Opening with Heart

We kicked off on July 5th with an emotional start. Old friends and new faces reunited at our Yerevan office, sharing stories and laughs as we began the Birthright Armenia 20th Anniversary Summit.

Our first stop was the Yerablur Military Pantheon. This visit set a solemn yet powerful tone for the summit, reminding us of the ultimate price paid by our heroes and the selflessness and sacrifice required to safeguard our country and people.

The official opening took place that evening at the Hovnanian Cultural Center with 170 alumni and staff present. “Here we are, 20 years later, and the seeds that we planted are reaping this harvest,” said Linda Yepoyan, Chief of Staff for the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation operations in Armenia, as she acknowledged the group of alumni gathered. The event was filled with pride and celebration as notable alumni were recognized for their contributions. “All of us who have experienced the Birthright Armenia program are winners at the end,” said Master of Ceremonies and 2015 alumnus Kyle Khandikian. Edele Hovnanian, the founder of Birthright Armenia summed it up perfectly “We have to recognize that this is the country that we have to keep and make successful”. The evening concluded with a video that highlighted important milestones in expanding the program from Yerevan to Gyumri and Vanadzor, expansion in our global reach and numbers of alumni living in Armenia.

Day 2: Alumni Discovery Talks and with Khazer Choir group

“I didn’t come to Armenia to save it… Armenia saved me,” declared Sisian Boghossian, setting the tone for the Alumni Discovery Talks, which took place at the Matenadaran. This second day was filled with inspiring stories from our alumni. From the first applicant Dr. Shant Korkigian who shared how his Birthright Armenia experience has influenced every aspect of this profession on different continents, to entrepreneurs like Garni Baroni (2012) and Greg Bandikian (2006) talking about their village development and agricultural projects in the regions of Armenia, each speaker shared their unique journey and the profound impact Birthright Armenia had on their lives and the impact they are now having in Armenia. 19 alumni and 19 impactful stories. Click here to see a list of speakers and their topics.

To conclude the day's events, the participants joined the Khazer Choir in singing a commissioned song to invite new participants to be part of Birthright Armenia’s next 20 years.

Day 3: Tree Planting, Vardavar, and Vanadzor Center Grand Opening

On July 7th, after giving back to the land that has given us so much with a tree planting activity in Vahakni village, we took part in the traditional celebration of Vardavar, a festival in Armenia where people drench each other with water. Then, we reached another milestone by cutting the ribbon on our new H. Hovnanian Family Foundation building in Vanadzor and celebrated with music. This place is a game-changer, featuring co-working spaces and brand-new classrooms for our interactive and free Armenian classes. The building will also provide housing for Birthright Armenia and Armenian Volunteer Corps (AVC) alumni who wish to move to Vanadzor.

Day 4: Fun in Gyumri

Gyumri greeted us with open arms on day four. The agenda included a life-sized scavenger hunt called ‘Let’s Go, Let's Play,’ organized by our alumna from Argentina, Alin Demirdjian, an outdoor traditional dance class by the Hrayrq Folk Group, and meaningful interactions with our local partners and host families. The day was filled with fun, connection, and a reminder of the significance of our program in the regions.

Day 5: Wrapping Up with Innovation and Music

Our final day took us to Armenia's Innovation Centers to visit a few startups and ended with a celebration of our job sites and host families. We honored Saro and Hasmik from Shushi, long-time host family members, for their unwavering support and dedication. "Hosting volunteers has been a joy for us, and we've gained so much from their presence in our home," shared Saro.

The night was made even more special with a captivating performance by Miqayel Voskanyan, an improvisational Armenian tar player, composer, and vocalist who creates a distinctive sound in jazz and world music. Voskanyan, a longtime supporter of the program, brought the night to life with his unique blend of music.

Our director, Sevan Kabakian, reminded us of the profound impact and future potential of our community: "Our work is not just about the past 20 years, but about the next 20 and beyond. What’s magical about Birthright is that we invite people for real engagement because that’s what Armenia needs. Here, we create a connection to Armenia that is beyond the superficial, forging deep, lasting ties that empower and inspire. This genuine connection is the key to success,” he declared.

Stay tuned for more stories and updates. Follow us on social media and check out our website for all the latest! #depihayk20

Here's to another 20 years of impact and inspiration!

Watch the video below to learn more about the Birthright Armenia 20th Anniversary Summit.