He started his career for Television Company with the help of Andrey Tarkovsky.
He started his career for Television Company with the help of Andrey Tarkovsky. Back then, neither Tarkovsky was famous, nor did he dream about films or working for a Television Company. He was simply repairing violins, while at the same time Tarkovsky was doing his thesis work. He was photographing beautiful sceneries in Yerevan and was as well in need for someone with Slavonic appearance for an episodic role. Luckily for him, Artyom Mkhitaryan appeared just on time at the right place. He was chosen from the crowd. He first appeared in mass scenes, and it was afterwards that he rescued Tarkovsky’s camera from falling down. Here is how he came close to a camera and never after did he fall apart from it. This was his start of the coming 55 years on TV.
Thanks to him Armenians still remember those numerous events: among them the opening ceremony of Yerevan Metropolitan, opening of Arpa-Sevan, the ceremony of Erebuni-Yerevan and lots of others. For more than half a century director Artyom Mkhitaryan starts his day with Public Television Company. He has maintained his endless energy and is enthusiastically working for the archive of “The First Informational”. When it comes to recollecting the details for an event, you can always hear young colleagues say “Artyom probably remembers” or “Sure, he does”.
A Television Company is all about people, the memories. It has become what it is now thanks to the people who once founded it and who once worked for it. This is how Artyom Mkhitaryan sees TV. He associates TV with names, naming those employees who once worked with him, as well as mentioning those who founded the Company.
He started his career as an assistant to director, then becoming an operator, and eventually a director. Three times, with short intervals, he has been appointed as chief director for public news department.
Today, he is a great master of the entire archive of the “The First Informational”. Besides, he has witnessed the black and white television being replaced by color television. He is always there to share his real memories about the history of the company. His younger coworkers appreciate his willingness to share his experience with them. Perhaps, his colleagues do not have the opportunity to thank him on daily basis for his great commitment and dedication. However, today is the case to. We do congratulate him on the 55th anniversary of his dedicated and faithful employment.