Հին Ընկեր (Old Friend)

Nearly five months ago the AYF organized a concert in downtown Los Angeles with Armenian folk legend Ruben Hakhverdyan.  Ruben evoked longing for the homeland and highlighted the urgency to return amongst the crowd.  Last night, accompanied by some great friends, I had the opportunity to see our old friend Ruben at The Opera in Yerevan.

Ruben’s poetic words were clearer than ever, as if it was Armenia herself speaking to the entire diaspora….waiting for our inevitable return home to see our old friend…

Հին ընկեր իմ անգին ընկեր: Արդյ՞ոք ուր ես դու կորել:

[Old friend, precious friend. Where have you gone?]

Հին ընկեր իմ անգին ընկեր: Չեմ կարող ես քեզ գտնել:

[Old friend, precious friend. I can’t find you..]

Ին՞չ կախարդ է քեզ կախարդել: Ին՞չ թակարդ ես դու ընկել:

[What wizard has cast a spell on you? What trap have you fallen into?]

Հին ընկեր իմ անգին ընկեր: Ես կարող եմ քեզ փրկել:

[Old friend, precious friend. I can save you.]

For years, we’ve been caringly looking at our old friend from a distance, empathizing and always wanting the best for her.  Our old friend wants us back.  Living abroad, there is an inevitable realization that something is missing; something that no fancy car, no 80 hour work week spent climbing the corporate ladder, and no adopted culture can replace.

As much as Armenia needs us, we need Armenia.

V (6/29/11)