Until September 2023, Eric’s health was assessed as satisfactory: despite being in a wheelchair, he was able to create paintings peacefully while in Artsakh. However, the forced displacement dealt a heavy blow to 40-year-old Eric’s life. His health deteriorated sharply, and he even ended up in the intensive care unit.
After being displaced from Artsakh, Eric and his family initially settled in the city of Vanadzor. However, the humid air of Vanadzor and constant stress exacerbated his health problems. That’s why they decided to move to Artashat, hoping that the drier climate would improve Eric’s health.
“My breathing problems worsened. When I was discharged from the hospital, the doctors said, ‘Go home: we’ve done everything we can,’” says Eric.
They now live in Artashat, in a rented apartment, for which they pay 120,000 drams per month [about $300]. The family consists of 8 people: Eric’s parents, his brother’s family, and himself. The family lives on pensions, and his brother is still unable to work due to serious injuries he received in a gasoline explosion in September 2023.
Despite these difficulties, Eric finds it difficult to talk about his social problems. He remembers that in Artsakh he used to paint peacefully, participate in exhibitions, and even sell some of his works. In Armenia, however, he does not have such an opportunity. According to him, he is currently painting in a small corner of his room, but his health does not allow him to work as actively as before.
“In Artsakh, for example, I used to finish one painting in three days, but now it takes at least fifteen days. In addition, now I have even more serious problems with my breathing,” he says.
Eric compares himself to a bird whose wings are clipped. “I am like a bird whose wings have been clipped and thrown into a cage. I want to fly, but I can’t. My only dream is to be able to go to Artsakh again, live there and create in peace,” he says.
Today, no one in Eric’s family works and they survive on government assistance, but in a few more months the benefits will be reviewed, and adults and healthy people will be deprived of this money. He hopes that no one will remain indifferent to his fate and that there will be people who are ready to help his family overcome these difficulties.
Narek Kirakosyan