Local SpotlightCulture
An Artsakh teacher’s journey to Harvard
“I want to become a spy. That is the only way I can see my village once again.”
This is what one of Ashot Gabrielyan’s students told him after being displaced from Artsakh.
The boy’s teacher is himself a young Armenian from Artsakh, now on his way to Harvard University.
“Harvard is my next step in the work that I’ve been doing,” Gabrielyan told the Weekly. “I’m a forcibly displaced person who works with Artsakh youth in emergency settings. I decided that this was w
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I am grateful to know Ashot, and thrilled to join in his effort to earn this degree, by contributing and also sharing his story. He is a valuable, bright beacon in our nation and this opportunity will allow him skills and access to greater networks, globally to benefit children of Artsakh, Armenia and beyond.
This was a beautifully written and powerful piece by Talar. She didn’t just tell a story — she gave it life. The way she captured his journey from Artsakh to Harvard was honest, emotional, and impossible to ignore.
What makes this article stand out is how human it feels. You can feel the weight of everything he’s been through, but also the strength it took to keep going. Talar did an incredible job making sure people don’t just see an achievement — they understand everything behind it.
I’ve personally met him, and he truly is an amazing person. He deserves this opportunity more than words can explain. We would really love to see people come together and support him — let’s help get him to Harvard.