The population of Kirovakan-Vanadzor increased significantly after World War II , when Stalin allowed open immigration to the Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic with the promise of a better life for the arriving Armenians in the historical homeland . More than 150,000 Armenians from different parts of Europe and the Middle East , most being survivors of the Armenian Genocide , immigrated and settled in Kirovakan . Due to the harsh conditions imposed by the Soviets intelligence and the Ministry of Interior , many of the immigrants were sent to labor camps in Siberia and elsewhere . The reason for such disrespectful treatment towards the Armenian immigrants was because almost all were more educated than the local community , spoke more than 3 languages , and were open followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church , something that was considered a threat to the national security by the Stalinist Government . Despite the difficulties , more Western Armenians immigrated to Kirovakan during the following years . However , many of the immigrants left the city and returned to their diaspora countries , including Cyprus , Lebanon , Syria , Greece , France and the United States . Nowadays , approximately 2,000 Western Armenian settlers are living in Vanadzor , most of whom still using the Western Armenian dialect at daily life
Armenian Genocide
Armenian Genocide
Vanadzor