Name: Rouben (Roubik) Galichian
Place of birth: Tabriz, Iran (long time ago – on 30th of November 1938)
Your Occupation/work/profession: Retired oil-gas –petrochemical project mgr, active cartography expert
Your family roots: This is a long story
Both my parents were born in Van. Paternal grandfather was member of the defence committee. The line between the Turks and the Armenians passed through their home and garden. (I found this out when I was looking at a detailed map of the Defence of Van).
Both families escaped with the retreating Russian army and settled in Yerevan, then moved to Tiflis, where my parents went to school. Maternal family moved to France in 1932. From this clan my grandfather came back to the region and settled in Tabriz.
When I was eleven, my family moved from Tabriz to Tehran, where I graduated from school and obtained a scholarship from the National Oil Company to study in the UK where I studied electronics engineering in Aston University.
How and why did you get involved with AI?
I know the founder members of the AI and after a year of activity I joined them.
I actively participated in the organizing and implementation of many projects.
From 2012 to end of 2015 I was the Chair of the Trustees.
Tell us a special memory about AI.
I love the meetings arranged for visiting personalities and intellectuals as well as our book launches. The special one I treasure was our meeting with Hrant Dink a year before his assassination.
What are 2 or 3 of the most memorable AI events you have attended ?
Meeting with Hrant Dink,
Genocide Centenary memorial concert in the Wigmore Hall (which I organised and implemented)
What are your hopes and ambitions for AI; where do you see its future?
I think the AI has a lot to do in helping to present the Armenian culture to Great Britain.
Which languages do you speak?
Fluent in Armenian, English, Persian
I can get by with my Azeri Turkish, Russian and German.
Favourite book – In Armenian: Tumanyan’s poems and quatrains, Paruir Sevak.
In English: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and “The Aftermath” by Rhidian Brook.
Favourite film – Many films
Favourite music/musician / band - Classical composers, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Komitas and Shostakovich.
Favourite artwork - Works of Van Gogh
Best advice you’ve been given Self learned from experience
Do not waste time planning too long ahead in your personal life
Never worry about things that you have no control over.
Your motto - Do not do what you would not want to be done to you.
If you decide to do something, do it NOW.
Coffee or tea and what kind - Black tea, without milk and a double espresso
Favourite place in London - The Royal Festival Hall.
Rouben Galichian now spends much of the year in Armenia but has served as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Armenian Institute and is still an active member of the Advisory Committee, bringing fresh ideas and connections to our discussions. He and his wife Mariette have created the Levon Galchian Studio, a wonderful arts workshop in the Aygegortsakan district of Miasnikian village honouring their late son, himself a highly accomplished artist and designer.