Lusine Balyan
Anahit Vardanyan

"All those members of the community who wish to visit the mobile medical groups must register beforehand with the village nurse."

This announcement has represented medical treatment to ailing residents of Ditavan for several years now. They say it helps to read it several times, with a glass of water. Sadly, that's the only option they have.

The village of Ditavan, 15 km from Ijevan and set deep in the forest, has a history that spans 165 years. It was founded by seven families who had come from Karabakh and settled in the Aghstev valley. The villagers mainly deal in animal husbandry, although tobacco growing has also recently been undertaken. According to Sevan Sargsyan, the mayor of the village, it is a labor-intensive, but not very lucrative, occupation,

"The village has problems with irrigation. The people of Ditavan cannot irrigate their fields. The only water they get is from rain. Villagers have to fight nature to survive. Plowing or harvesting, villagers face a serious dilemma - they have no money to rent machinery, but without it they won't be finished in time," Sargsyan explained.

There are 490 residents, or 120 families, registered in the village, but only a few families live there now. The village is drowning in troubles. Sargsyan believes that all small villages face these problems, "Only the relatives of the villagers know where it is located, so how would a foreigner know? Ditavan has never been part of any international charity program, because each such project requires local investment as well, which is beyond our reach."

Sevan Sargsyan has been mayor of Ditavan for three years now. Despite numerous problems, he plans to run again this year. "There are unfinished programs, I have to complete them. It's a hard to be village mayor these days, because everyone criticizes you - both those above you, and the villagers as well. I think it's easier to hold office in the city; as they say, 'the village priest is not blessed.' I try to do so much, but they say 'Of course you have do it, what did you think?' When you realize that you are not appreciated, it's difficult to stay motivated. I'm sick of it, to be honest."

When asked why he was putting his candidature forward again, Sargsyan replied, "It's a matter of principle. I believe that if the villagers stand united, then we can achieve a lot."

Sargsyan proposes a few different plans to get Ditavan out of the difficult situation it is currently in - either by encouraging foreigners to invest in the village, or by using Ditavan's own potential to attract interest. He believes that young people have an important role to play in this process. Sargsyan has three children. Asked whether he sees their future in the village, he replied, "Not for my daughters, because you can never tell what kind of men they will marry. But my son should definitely stay in the village. Although I might be doing him harm, that's my decision."

Though not a campaign slogan, this is another reflection of Mayor Sargsyan's principles, perhaps pointing to his secret wish to pass his power on to his son, just like fathers did in the times of the Arshakuni dynasty.