The interview took place in November 2022.
Grisha was born on January 1st, 1955 in the village of Azokh, Hadrut region. His parents were hairdressers by profession. Grisha was the youngest of five boys in the family. After receiving an eight-year education in the village, he moved to Stepanakert and completed a six-month course at the Stepanakert driving school, obtaining a driver’s license.
In 1974-1976, he served in the Soviet army. After completing his service, Grisha returned to the village and started to work as a driver. Then in 1978 he moved to his brother in Tashkent. However, after living and working there for 37 years, he decided to return to his native village Azokh. Grisha never got married.
In the village, he and his brother engaged in cattle breeding, they had their own cattle farm. However, during the third Artsakh war, when the Hadrut region was occupied, Grisha, along with other residents of Hadrut, had to leave their homes, leaving everything behind. In those days, he moved to the town of Masis, RA, to his nephew.
After the war, even though Hadrut was under the control of enemy, he still decided to return to Stepanakert, at least to breathe the Artsakh air. When Grisha arrived in Stepanakert, the government of Artsakh Republic rented an apartment for him, where he is still living.
His pension amounts to 48,500 AMD, of which 11,500 AMD is a single pensioner allowance.
From January 2021, by the decision of the Board of the Armenian Women’s Welfare Association, the Stepanakert program was expanded. It was agreed to involve the single elderly people displaced from different regions of Artsakh and living in Artsakh, particularly in Stepanakert. Therefore, Grisha joined Hanganak from January 2021.
His state of health can be assessed as normal, he practically does not receive medicines. The food received from Hanganak is enough for a whole month, he does not buy any of the food provided for that month.
He is also grateful to the benefactors of Hanganak and the whole staff, who continue their support and charity to Armenians living in Artsakh in these difficult days.