When Two Armenians Meet at the European Central Bank

In front of ECB building

     I am in Germany lecturing at the Technische Hochschule Aschaffenburg (University of Applied Science). There is a wonderful consortium of three universities that run a Global Master School (GMS). Students and professors from each school meet twice year and have a week of instruction and business simulations. It is a well-crafted and amazing program that includes cultural and business tours making for an unforgettable experience for the students. The other two universities involved are the University of Missouri – St. Louis and the Seinajoki University of Applied Science (Finland). At this gathering, there are about ten students from each school and six professors or so.  
     One of the tours was to the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt. The ECB headquarters is an architectural gem of a high rise in Frankfurt. The bank employs 3,500 people of which 1,500 are in banking supervision. We were heard a most excellent overview presentation by Gabriel Glocker, Principal Advisor Communications, who has been with the ECB since the creation of the Euro in 1999. Gabriel is a gifted speaker with an incredible knack of making the complex ideas of central banks and macroeconomics easily understood by the common person. Case in point, he was the first to give an explanation of the why negative interest rates are used that was easily understandable and clear. He is a great spokesperson for the achievements and benefits of the ECB in an environment that seems to be more critical than complimentary.  
     Before going to the ECB we had to provide our names and birthdates. We were told to bring passports and that Driver’s Licenses would not acceptable. The security scanning and bag checks were as tight as I have seen at any airport. The lines were shorter but the scanning and pat-down took way longer.  
     When we finally made it into the lobby, we were greeted by a host of the bank. She pointed out various interactive exhibits to occupy our time until we were called to another room where we would be shown a short film on the ECB. There was a large sculpture of the Euro symbol that many of group posed by and took photos. Waiting for my turn for a photo, I was talking to the host lady. She definitely had a middle eastern look, not an uncommon thing at all in Germany. In my short time here I have met people who immigrated from Iran, Turkey, and the Balkans. I asked if she was German and she said yes. But, after a bit of a pause, she said, “but I am Armenian.” I responded, “yes al Hye em.” Here pleasant demeanor became even more pleasant. We chatted in Armenian. It was quite pleasant.  Her family emigrated from the Middle East to Germany and she was quite proud to be an Armenian working at the ECB. She told me other Armenians that worked at the ECB including a few contract employees from the Republic of Armenia. She commented, as many have, that I don’t look Armenian and also complimented me on my Armenian. She was very kind especially in complementing my Armenian language skills.  
     We didn’t have a long time to chat but we did take a photo by the Euro symbol.  
    This meeting was a very small part of this trip but, for sure, a part that has made the trip more complete.