The beginning

The connection I experience with Armenia dates from years back. From 2012 to be specific. The year when my grandfather passed away. The first loved one that I had to let go. He was (and still is) one of the few persons I look up to. He was my inspirational source and I feel his presence and support in all aspects of my life until today. It was during this difficult period that I came across the deepest and warmest sound that I have ever heard. A sound that was capable of healing my deep wounds: the sound of the Armenian duduk.

The more I listened to the sound of the duduk, the more curious I became. And curiosity seldom remains with curiosity for me. I ordered my first duduk online and tried to learn on my own. Unfortunately, I became victim to my own ego. As easy as it looks to play duduk, so hard is it to actually produce a warm and deep sound. I gave up on my practice, but still found support and compassion in listening to duduk music.

It was only until 2025 that I re-found the ambition to start learning duduk and that I found myself in the position to travel to Armenia. After quitting my job in Belgium, I left my home on my bicycle towards the east. No idea where my journey would finally bring me. With my camping equipment, camera and, of course, my duduk, I embarked on a journey that would definitely shape my future.

After 3 months of cycling, I was in a slight rush to arrive in Yerevan on time for my volunteering period with AVC. I ended up taking the night train from Tbilisi to Yerevan and I remember vividly the deep emotions when seeing Yerevan for the first time through the windows of my train, lit by the gold-looking morning sun. I was listening to one of my favorite duduk songs and had to wipe multiple tears before halting in the central station. I have never felt such a deep connection with a place without ever visiting. My expectations were high. Armenia could not let me down…

During my first days in Yerevan I wandered around and tried to create a first image of Yerevan. But it was not love at first sight. Yerevan has its charming places, but it was what I was hoping for…

When I fell in love with Armenia

It was only during my first visit to one of the best duduk reed makers that my perspective of Armenia changed. Together with a French friend, we went to Hovhannes Khudaverdyan’s place (Hovo for short). Hovo welcomed us in, what I soon would call, the “Armenian way”: warmly and wholeheartedly with a table full of one of the most delicious fruits I have ever tried. He continued speaking after the welcome greetings: “Gevorg Dhabagyan is visiting me”. For those who do not know him yet: he is considered as one of the best duduk players currently performing! My heartbeat went up as we entered Hovo’s workplace. What followed was an unforgettable unique experience with Gevorg and Hovo that taught me an invaluable lesson that shaped my time in Armenia: “There is so much to discover about the Armenian culture. But it is only through full immersion that doors open to experience the Armenian culture in its purest and deepest form”. After this day, Yerevan would never be the same to me anymore.

I started my volunteering period in June with the commitment of staying for one month. I still wanted to continue my cycling trip after grounding in Yerevan for some weeks. I started volunteering at JINJ, a company specialized in the design of (drinking) water distribution networks. My main objective was to create hydraulic models for water distribution networks in rural areas in Armenia as well as creating an application to automate various computations. To change things up a bit, and to experience a new field for me, I also joined ISSD: an NGO that focuses on the environmental and educational fields. Here, my main contribution existed in the creation of educational material for schools in the field of sustainability. I was directly embraced by the wonderful people working there and was able to visit schools and participate in other events they organized.

In remember being exposed early on to another beauty of the Armenian culture: the national dances. It did not take me more than the first warming up to realize that this was something I greatly resonate with. The national dances symbolizes the depth of the Armenian culture. Those dances meant closeness. They carry emotions too profound to be captured by words. It quickly became a way for me to interact with the local people and I felt a strong sense of belonging while dancing.

I was living on a real high during my first weeks. Feeling strongly connected to the Armenian culture, it was no difficult decision: I wanted to stay longer. Much longer. And so I extended my stay with five additional months. A choice on which I would later reflect as one of the best decisions I have made.

My duduk classes with Arsen Petrosyan were above expectations. I highly appreciated his teaching method. No rushing. Always with a strong and grounding focus on the sound quality. I learned so much from Arsen – not only musically, but also spiritually. I will always remain indebted to him for his teachings. He was the right person for me at the right time. The seed of the duduk was planted a second time, and this time I knew how to nourish it. This time I would not let it slip away. And so the duduk became my close companion. A source to connect with Armenia. A source to connect to the depths of my soul. A source to feel understood.

My move to Vanadzor

After four months volunteering in Yerevan, I decided to make the move to the natural beauty of Vanadzador. The slow-paced lifestyle here contrasted heavily with the busy streets of Yerevan. I re-established a strong connection with nature and delved into the seemingly endless world of the Armenian handicrafts by volunteering in what has to be one of the most charming art schools. I learned more about the Armenian embroidery and carpet making, while contributing to the school as an amateur photographer to create material for advertising purposes.

In Vanadzor, I felt a lot of closeness to the other volunteers. The team creates an amazing environment and the activities organized by AVC were extremely inspirational and insightful.

I was so grateful for coming to Vanadzor. The only thing I regretted was that I did not make the move sooner.

The emotional “See you soon, again”

My six months in Armenia passed away way too fast, but they have changed me in deep and profound ways. I made the difficult decision to leave the country and continue my cycling adventure on the bicycle. Not because I did not want to stay longer, but rather because I wanted to know how persistent my love for this beautiful country is when I am not here anymore.

I cannot emphasize enough how I have grown during my period in Armenia. The support from AVC is incredible and I encourage all of you to take the courageous step and register for the program. Give it a try. Experience the beauty of Armenia. There is something there for everyone. Just look for it in the right place.

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Rafael Michiels is a young professional from Belgium with a background in sustainability and energy management. He joined AVC’s Junior Corps in 2025 where he supported JINJ to design water distribution networks in rural areas in Armenia and ISSD where he supported the creation of educational material on the topic of environmental sustainability. After returning back to Belgium, Rafael continues to actively engage with the local Armenian community through his passion for the duduk and the national dances.