Armenians in Lebanon
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The Armenians in Lebanon (Armenian: Լիբանահայեր) are Lebanese citizens of Armenian descent. There has been an Armenian presence in Lebanon for centuries. While there has not been a census for a few decades, because the balance between Christians and Muslims is considered to be a volatile subject, it is estimated that there are 250,000 Armenians in Lebanon or around 8-10% of the population. Prior to the Lebanese Civil War, that number was estimated to be around 350,000. Lebanese-Armenians are guaranteed 6 seats in the Lebanese parliament and two ministers in government.
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[edit] History
Armenians first established contact with Lebanon when Tigranes the Great conquered Phoenicia from the Seleucids and made it part of the short lived Armenian Empire. When the Roman Empire established its rule over both Armenia and ancient Lebanon, some Roman troops of Armenian origin went there in order to accomplish their duties as Romans. After Armenia converted to Christianity in 301, Armenian pilgrims established contact with Lebanon and its people on their way to Jerusalem; some of whom even settled there.
The Armenian presence in Lebanon during the Ottoman period was minimal, however, there was a large influx of Armenians after the Armenian Genocide of 1915. The refugees endured many difficulties and had to adapt to the Arab lifestyle. When Armenians first came to Lebanon they inhabited the area of Karantina. Later on, in Bourj Hammoud, a thriving Armenian community was formed. In 1939, after the French ceded the Syrian territory of Alexandretta to Kemalist Turkey, Armenians, other Christians and Arabs from the area moved to the Bekaa Valley. The Armenians were grouped in Anjar, where a community exists to this day.
During the Lebanese Civil War, Armenians, grouped in Bourj Hammoud and Anjar, did their best to remain neutral. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation was the leading political party and had significant influence in all facets of Armenian life during the war. Various Armenian guerrilla organizations, such as ASALA established their headquarters in Lebanon, and used it as a launching pad for their operations.
Thousands of Armenians left Lebanon in search of peace in North America, Western Europe, and elsewhere.
After the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, Turkey proposed to send some of its troops to Lebanon as a part of UNIFIL. Most Armenians strongly oppose Turkish involvement.
[edit] Education
Armenian Evangelical College is one of Beirut's most prestigious secondary schools.
Haigazian University (HU) is one of Beirut's most prestigious universities. It is a liberal arts Armenian institution of higher learning, which uses English as the language of instruction. Moreover, it is the only Armenian university in the Diaspora.
[edit] Religion
- The Catholicossate of the Great House of Cilicia, based in Antelias.
- Armenian Catholic Church, based in Antelias, north of Beirut with a convent in Bzoummar, Lebanon. The latter represents half a million Armenian Catholics around the world.
- Armenian Evangelical Church, headquartered in Ashrafieh.
These are the 3 Armenian denominations recognized by the government. The Armenians have Armenian Orthodox, Armenian Catholic, or Armenian Evangelical mentioned in their identity cards, in the denomination field.
[edit] Monuments
Armenian Genocide Monument
Bikfaya is home to a commemorative plaque and monumental sculpture, honoring the victims of the 1915 Armenian Genocide. Designed by Zaven Khedeshian and renovated by Hovsep Khacherian in 1993, the outdoor, freestanding sculpture rests on top of a hill that is located on the grounds of the summer retreat of the Catholicate of Cilicia. The sculpture is a bronze abstract figure of a woman standing with hands open toward the sky. A plaque with Arabic and Armenian inscriptions reads, "This monument, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, was erected with the cooperation of the whole Armenian Community in Lebanon, to celebrate the rebirth of the Armenian nation and to express gratitude to our country, Lebanon - April 24 1969." The Armenian community of Lebanon visit the monument on April 24 every other year. The pilgrimages are alternated with the Catholicate of Cilicia in Antelias.[1]
[edit] Notable Lebanese Armenians
- Vatche Aghjayan - Jewelry Designer
- Manoug Alemian - Painter (Lebanese-Syrian-Armenian)
- Shaunt Basmajian - Poet
- Pierre Chammassian - Comedian
- Sylva Channessian - Miss Lebanon and Miss World Finalist 1973
- Houry Chekerdjian - Painter
- Harut Fazian – Conductor
- Neshan Der Haroutounian - Talk show host
- Samuel Der-Yeghiayan - Judge (Lebanese-Syrian-American)
- Adiss Harmandian – Singer
- Laury Haytayan - TV editor
- Tulip Joshi - Actress and model (Indian father, Lebanese-Armenian mother)
- Chris Karagulleyan - Professional Gambler
- Arsinée Khanjian - actress
- Zaven Kouyoumdjian - Talk show host
- Émile Lahoud – President of Lebanon (Lebanese-Armenian mother)
- Renée Lahoud – First Lady
- Guy Manoukian – Composer
- Claudia Marchelian – Annahar journalist, critic, author, screenwriter
- Wadih Mourad – Singer
- Maria Nalbandian - Singer
- Nourhanne - Singer
- Karim Pakradouni – Politician, Ex-Minister, President of Phalange Party
- Dawood Pasha – Ottoman Armenian governor
- Ohannes Pasha – Ottoman Armenian mutasarrif
- Rayan - Singer
- Setrak Setrakian - Pianist
- Simon Simonian - Author
- Zareh Tcheroyan - Violinist
- Anita Toutikian - Artist
- Paula Yacoubian - Talk show host and journalist
- Michel Goguikian - President of Grupo Santander's Venezuelan subsidiary Banco de Venezuela
- Vosgueperan Arzoumanian - Academic
[edit] External links
- Anjar, Lebanon's largest Armenian town
- Visit Bourj Hammoud, Lebanon's most-affordable shopping disctrict and shop online!
- Turks' return rekindles dark memories in Lebanon
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