Lyalik

Relatives and friends diminutively call her ‘Lyalik’.  Lyalik, Haykuhi Amyan, used to be an architect when one day, close to 40 years of age, she unexpectedly left her profession and started making dolls. Why?
She loved dolls dearly though was yet to find her favorite one. If you are to ask her, this is the simple explanation you will hear. Haykuhi coexists with the dolls in her apartment in the capital of Armenia, Yerevan. For over 10 years she has turned her house into a unique doll museum. Each doll created by Haykuhi has its individual features and story; one is lonely and sad, another has a family and is proudly seated on the sofa with its ‘spouse’ and ‘kids.’ Another  wishes to create a family and is waiting, looking forward for Lyalik to create her beloved. All these dolls, despite being obedient or insolent, free-spirited or conservative, selfish or altruistic, are Lyalik’s family members. The doll maker, Haykuhi, is disgruntled if one asks whether she will sell a doll; “How come? Why should I sell?” is her heated answer. Her reply makes one realize it is as though one were to sell their relatives: the sister, the brother or the child. Her door is open to anyone: “Let them come and see and marvel in my dolls” but not more.  Generous and gregarious Haykuhi may offer you whatever you ask, but not the dolls.