“You know, I am not a model? I am a grandma.” she noted, giggling as she works. “Just a grandma...that is not a big deal. We all get there. ”

But somehow, in the past decade, Grandma Red has become a big deal—well, at least well known. People as far away as Yerevan come to buy her candles, which they say bring luck. 

Armenian tech centers and startups are expanding to rural areas to support a new generation of digital warriors.

After nearly two years of interrupted learning, Armenia’s nearly 400,000 secondary students are back in class full time this year.

For many Armenian families, Covid-19 leaves poverty in its wake.

"It has been so long since I played, I forgot," she says, enthusiastically sitting down at the keyboard. 

Soon old Soviet-era favorites, like  Katyasha,  Синий платочек (Blue Scarf) can be heard as Aida and Sargis Memerjyan, 77, sing and dance to the music. As the last chord fades, members of the choir turn to their audience and smile. After ten months of silence, the music is sweet, indeed.