My friend Ruben Mangasaryan has died. A year ago I was invited to Jerevan, Armenia to teach at Caucasus Media Institute by Ruben Mangasaryan, an Armenian photojournalist and teacher of photography. It was one of the most pleasant workshops I've ever conducted - especially due to Ruben's hospitality and personality. Within that week he became a dear friend of mine. A friend that I was looking forward to seeing again. Sadly this will not happen. Ruben died from a heart attack this weekend. Ruben Mangasaryan was a great photographer and an important person within developing photojournalism in the Caucasus area. He started the Traveler Magazine (National Geographic in Armenian) and he established a photojournalism education in Armenia. Right now he was teaching his third group of young Armenian photojournalists. Hopefully his work and enthusiasm will live on in some of these young Armenian photographers. I know that a lot of them will miss you, Ruben. Like me.
In remembrance of Ruben Mangasaryan. Photo: Sřren Pagter