Armenia is paradise, says Diaspora photographer (video, photos)

Armenia has always seemed to us a beautiful country but seeing it is completely different, says Hovsep Khachatryan (Hopig), a Syria based Armenian photographer who is now in Yerevan.

Speaking to Tert.am, the artist shared the impressions of his first ever visit to his historical homeland.

"I can say it's a paradise," he said.

Khachatryan was born and raised in Syria. He took to painting when a schoolchild.

"I had a small photo camera and liked taking the photos of my classmates," he said, adding that his childhood hobby is now a profession.

Khachatryan, who held an exhibition in Damascus in February, says a photo should be made in good taste and have an original style.

"It has to reflect the artist's feelings at the time of making the picture. It has to be original and demonstrate a good taste," he added.

The artist said that he is planning exhibitions in different towns of Syria to showcase the photos he has made in Armenia.

"I am returning to Syria today, but I don't want to go. Seeing Armenians and hearing the Armenian language is a different feeling. Syria is my home country, but Armenia is different. I will return here by all means and wish each and every Armenian to see his or her homeland," he added.