« Nous sommes nos montagnes » …: Camp Bjni (prononcer Bejni)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:

Camp Bjni Management
camp.bjni@hotmail.com

OUR LOVE IS HERE TO STAY:
NATIVE AND DIASPORAN ARMENIANS
LAUNCH CAMP BJNI IN ARMENIA

NEW YORK–LOS ANGELES-BEIRUT–YEREVAN: A group of like-minded international
Armenians have joined hands to create an inclusive, pan-Armenian tent camping and hiking
initiative called Camp Bjni. Located 45 minutes northeast of Yerevan and directly beside the
Hrazdan River, Camp Bjni’s tent compound will open in 2025 to welcome guests June through
October while the camping lodge will remain open year-round.
Dual US-Armenia citizen and economist Mikayel Sukiasyan leads the initiative along with NY-
NJ journalist Lucine Kasbarian, Los Angeles filmmaker Sevana Bardakjian, Beirut-based textile
specialist Garo Shadoyan and backing from native Armenian and Diasporan supporters. The
website, designed by Bardakjian and Kasbarian, has just launched (www.campbjni.com).
Bjni is mentioned in the Gandzadaran chronicle of Urartian King Sarduri II (son of Argishti I) in
B.C. 741, as a land called Buzunia. Today, this active village settlement is home to one of the last
great remaining medieval Armenian fortresses, built in the 9 th century by the royal Pahlavouni
family. Bjni is also recognized for its natural wonders such as the famed Dzag Kar – a massive
natural arch of stone that is a protected national monument of Armenia – as well as for copious
mineral water sources and spectacular mountain terrains.
Camp Bjni’s lead proprietor, Mikayel Sukiasyan, has ancestral roots in Bjni. As a third
generation Yerevantsi and dual US-Armenia citizen, Mikayel spent summers in his youth visiting
Bjni with his grandmother who was born and raised there.  In his adulthood, Sukiasyan worked
such long hours that he did not get to appreciate the changing of the seasons. Realizing how
disconnected from nature he had become, Sukiasyan vowed to change all that. Sukiasyan
purchased a plot of land to one day build his own summer house in Bjni and construction began
in 2022. During the building process, however, Sukiasyan began to think about how much he’d
like to share the natural beauty of Bjni with his fellow Armenians.
With the help of like-minded friends in the Diaspora, Sukiasyan purchased a second plot of land
directly across from the first. Together the collective decided to launch a tent campground for
hikers and nature lovers and Camp Bjni was born. Today, Sukiasyan’s philosophy is summed up
by the American nature preservationist John Muir who said, “Going to the mountains is going
home.”

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“Here, we offer guests a place to rest, relax, and enjoy our remarkable scenery, fresh mountain
air and water and the rich, wild flora and fauna of this beautiful land,” says Sukiasyan. “Visitors
can commune with sympatico people, camp, hike, bike, fish, swim, sunbathe, raft, bird watch,
sight-see, barbecue, visit mineral water spas, take part in local culinary customs, learn about
village history or simply detach from busy city life, reconnect with nature and renew.”
Sukiasyan states that there are several ways to enjoy Camp Bjni. Guests can reserve a space in
the camping corral and bring their own camping gear or rent equipment from the management.
They can also reserve one of three bedrooms in the lodge (Sev Khrjit), reserve the entire property
for conferences, retreats and special events, or participate in a Camp Bjni day hike or cultural
event. Camp amenities ensure the maximum comfort of guests and are described in greater detail
on the website.
Bjni’s natural setting offers invigorating hiking, sporting and leisure activities and a glimpse into
Armenian history. Camp Bjni guests may hike to the highlands of Bjni to experience
exhilarating views and national treasures such as the Bjni Fortress (9c); St. Asdvadzadzin
Monastery (10c); Mayravank Monastery (11c); the Dzag Kar natural monument, countless
scattered high-elevation sanctuaries throughout the hamlet or simply explore high mountain trails
and the village itself.
What about the precariousness of investing in a new business in Armenia when the homeland
faces such existential threats from genocidal neighbors? “In these perilous political times,
Armenia needs us,” Sukiasyan replied. “An immersive experience at Camp Bjni can become the
portal and impetus for diasporans to one day relocate to Armenia and contribute to its protection
and revival.”
Being well aware of how much the Hayrenik requires “all-hands-on-deck” at this point in its
tumultuous history, Sukiasyan concluded by recalling the guiding words of two of his role
models, Armenian patriot Karekin Njdeh and US President John F. Kennedy: Said Njdeh,
“Outside of Armenia, in the diaspora, regardless of my condition; wealthy, well-to-do, or a day
laborer, I cannot accept emigration without return. Repatriation, not exile.” And Kennedy’s
inspiring words, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your
country.”
To contact Camp Bjni, reach out to: camp.bjni@hotmail.com or visit
www.instagram.com/camp.bjni. To connect by phone, WhatsApp or Viber, call the following
coordinates: For Eastern Armenian and Russian: +374 (0) 94-05-99-79. For Western Armenian
and English: 1-718-415-9282.

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