Theme: Awakening the Soul

We’re excited to announce that TEDxYerevan is hosting another event on October 9th themed “Awakening the Soul.” Our incredible speakers will share their perspectives from the stage, awakening the unseen parts of the soul.

In a world filled with technological noise and distractions, there is a growing desire for deeper meaning and connection. People are increasingly drawn to practices that encourage slowing down, introspection, and deeper engagement with life. The constant barrage of information and stimuli has left many feeling disconnected and searching for something more substantial. As a result, there is a resurgence of interest in ancient wisdom, meditation, and other practices that offer refuge from the chaos of modern life.

Our TEDxYerevan event, themed "Awakening the Soul," invites our local TEDx community on a transformative journey toward inner peace and enlightenment. Through engaging talks and thought-provoking interactions, we'll explore the profound wisdom of ancient philosophies and practices, and challenge them with insights from modern science. This movement reflects a collective yearning to reconnect with our true selves, find balance, and build more meaningful relationships—not just with others, but also within our own inner worlds.

“Awakening the Soul” goes beyond being just a theme; it’s a reminder to delve deeper into the essence of who we are and what truly matters in life. It’s an invitation to peel back the layers of superficiality and distraction that often cloud our perceptions, guiding us toward a more authentic and fulfilling existence.

During our event, we’ll explore the essence of spirituality, mindfulness, and self-discovery, uncovering new insights to navigate life's challenges with grace and resilience. From mindfulness practices to the power of gratitude, from the science of consciousness to the art of letting go, our speakers will share their unique stories and personal experiences, illustrating the profound lessons learned through spiritual awakening.

Through our speakers’ stories, we'll examine the profound impact that spiritual awakening can have on our lives by fostering deeper connections with others and the world around us, igniting a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

House of Cinematographers
Vardanats 18
2nd floor
Yerevan, Erevan, 0010
Armenia

Aren Deyirmenjian

Country Director of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA)

Aren Deyirmenjian currently serves as the Country Director of the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA) in Armenia, a position he has held since 2022. Prior to this role, he spent three years as Deputy Director of AMAA Armenia, where he managed one of the NGO’s largest operations, overseeing over 500 employees. Additionally, Aren is actively involved in several entrepreneurial, humanitarian, and cultural initiatives in Armenia, including key roles with the National Symphonic Orchestra and the Hayastan All-Armenia Fund. Aren’s journey to Armenia began after completing his MBA in Switzerland in 2018, marking a new chapter in his life after years of active service within the Lebanese and Armenian communities in Beirut. His early experiences included significant engagements with the American University of Beirut, Haigazian University, and the Armenian Evangelical Church, alongside involvement in his family’s businesses.

Gernot Groemer

Director of The Austrian Space Forum

Dr. Gernot Groemer studied astrophysics at the University of Innsbruck and is a graduate of the International Space University. In 2003, as an analog astronaut, he was selected as a crew for a space flight simulation at the Mars Desert Research Station and also conducted research as part of parabolic flights in weightlessness. He serves as the director of The Austrian Space Forum, where coordinated 14 astronautical simulation campaigns in Mars-like deserts on Earth to date, including in the Israeli Negev Desert, in the Dhofar region of Oman, in the northern Sahara and most recently in 2024 in the Armash region of Armenia. He teaches at various universities and serves in expert committees, such as the European Space Agency or the UN's Space Generation Advisory Council. He is involved in the field of science communication, hosting Austria's a prime time show on science and technology since 2018 and gets excited when he holds water rocket workshops in kindergartens from time to time.

Nina Hovnanian

CEO of Hovnanian International

Nina Hovnanian is the CEO of Hovnanian International, where she oversees Vahakni, Yerevan’s first gated, western-style residential community, and the Ararat Valley Country Club. Under her leadership, Vahakni has expanded to house over 500 families, with plans for an innovation city. She co-founded the Yerevan Biennial Arts Foundation and has been pivotal in promoting Armenian culture globally, starting by co-chairing Armenia’s initial exhibition at the Venice Biennale. A graduate of Columbia University’s Barnard College in Art History and Diplomatic History, Nina co-founded Music Motions, and was the Director of Development for the New York Academy of Art, and later for the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. She later launched Nina Hovnanian Couture, showcasing Armenian craftsmanship in fashion and home decor to a worldwide audience. In 2001, she moved to Armenia, established the Armenian Tourism Development Agency, and opened Treasures of Armenia, a gallery dedicated to local artisanship.

Vach Hovsepyan

Startup executive, Co-founder, and Advisor

Vach Hovsepyan is a serial startup executive, co-founder, and advisor. His career began in retail banking at JP Morgan Chase, later transitioning to management consulting at PwC, before discovering his passion for technology startups. Over the past nine years, he has led and scaled Customer Success teams at ServiceTitan and Deputy and co-founded a vertical software company servicing the US Waste Management Industry. Vach was instrumental in establishing and growing ServiceTitan’s Armenia office and is an active contributor to Armenia's tech ecosystem. Raised in Yerevan, Vach now lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three daughters.

Vahe Keushguerian

Founder & CEO of WineWorks

Vahe Keushguerian is the Founder & CEO of WineWorks, a winery incubator producing wine for 14 top Armenian brands, and the Co-Founder of EVN Wine Academy. With 30 years of global wine industry experience, including in the restaurant business, Vahe also owned two internationally recognized wineries in Italy. After moving to Armenia in 2009, he consulted on new wineries and initiated the Karas Wine project. In 2013, he founded Keush, a pioneer of traditional method sparkling wine, and co-founded OSHIN in 2017. His work with ONEArmenia led to the creation of Momik Wines and WineCube. Beyond wine, Vahe is Co-founder and Chairman of EVN Report and Impact Hub Yerevan.

Vardan Petrosyan

Actor

Vardan Petrosyan, a graduate of both Terlemezyan State College of Fine Arts and Yerevan State Theatre and Fine Arts Institute, is celebrated as one of the greatest contemporary Armenian actors. His artistic journey began after a two-year service in the Soviet Army, leading to the creation of the private theater studio "Hedgehogs" with friends in Yerevan. The troupe's tours across Armenia and France included politically charged performances during the Karabakh movement. Since 1992, Petrosyan has resided in France, performing extensively on French stages and internationally, including in Armenia. He is also the author of two books and has exhibited his art widely. Vardan Petrosyan shares his life with two cats, Toulouse and Colette, and the latter has been missing for two months.