Discovering my own country: a journey to Syunik through ‘More EU in Armenia’
As part of the ‘More EU in Armenia’ campaign, we welcomed Young European Ambassadors from across Europe with the goal of bringing EU-Armenia dialogue closer to communities across the country. But somewhere along the way, this trip became something much more personal.
While we were showing regions like Vayots Dzor and Syunik to our international peers, I found myself discovering them for the first time too. Despite having lived in Armenia my entire life, this journey made me feel like a tourist in my own country, and gave me the opportunity to see in real life the places about which I was telling my foreign friends.
Our journey began early in the morning as we left Yerevan towards the south. The drive itself felt longer than expected, but not in a tiring way. I kept looking outside the window the whole time, trying not to miss anything. It was April, and I had already switched into “spring mode” in Yerevan, so seeing the mountains still completely covered in snow honestly surprised me. I didn’t expect that kind of view at all; it made everything feel a bit unreal. Together with the visiting Young European Ambassadors, we met with local youth organisations, where we discussed youth engagement, community initiatives, and opportunities available through EU-supported programmes.
In the afternoon, we continued our journey to Tatev Monastery, which was one of the most unforgettable moments of the trip, without a doubt. Standing there, surrounded by mountains and history, I realised how different it feels to experience a place in person rather than through photos or stories. There was something about it that was difficult to put into words. Maybe it was the height, the silence, or the atmosphere itself, but for a moment, it truly felt like I was somewhere completely different, almost detached from reality.
When we arrived, the monastery was already closed. But not wanting to miss the chance, I asked the priest if it could be opened, and to my surprise, he agreed. Also, I had the privilege to sing in the church. It was an unreal feeling, one of those moments where everything pauses, and you are fully present. It is something I will carry with me for a long time.
At some point, we even found ourselves dancing Armenian traditional dances right there, in front of the monastery. In the end, we couldn’t leave without it! We showed the moves to our European peers, and within minutes, everyone joined in. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, it felt like we were in their quiet hug, sharing a small part of Armenian culture together.
Of course, the journey also included meetings, conversations, and exchanges with young people and communities in the region. But beyond all of that, what stayed with me most was this feeling of connection – to the place, to the landscape, and to a part of my country I had not known before.
Throughout the entire journey, there was a unique dynamic: we were hosting and guiding our European peers, but at the same time, we were learning, discovering, and experiencing alongside them. This made the experience even more meaningful.
Through the ‘More EU in Armenia’ campaign, we were able to create spaces for dialogue, share opportunities, and strengthen connections across regions. But for me personally, it was also a reminder to explore more of my own country, to understand it beyond what I already know, and to appreciate the diversity and depth it has to offer. I still find it a bit strange that it took me this long to go there, but maybe that’s exactly why it stayed with me the way it did.
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