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Armenians in Lebanon

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File:ArmeniansofLebanon.JPG
Around 10 000 Lebanese-Armenians marching on April 24, 2006, on the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

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 approximately 150,000 Armenians in Lebanon, or around 4% of the population. 1 Prior to the Lebanese Civil War, the number was higher. Lebanese-Armenians are guaranteed 6 seats in the Lebanese parliament: 5 for Armenian Orthodox, and one for Armenian Catholics. Because many Protestants in Lebanon are ethnic Armenians, the sole parliamentary slot for Protestants has at time been filled by an Armenian, making for a total of 7 Armenians in the Lebanese parliament.

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.

Camp of Armenian exiles in Beirut

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 terrorist organizations, such as ASALA established their headquarters in Lebanon, and used it as a launching pad for their operations.

Put forth by the Armenian bloc of the Lebanese Parliament, the legislature unanimously approved on April 4, 1997 a resolution, calling for the commemoration of the 82nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman government.[1]

There are two predominately Armenian parties in Lebanon: Hunchag and Tashnag.

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.

Education

Levon & Sophia Hagopian Armenian College, est. 1963, Bourj Hamoud - Beirut Official Website

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.

Religion

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.

Monuments

Armenian Genocide Monument

File:GenocideMemorialLebanon.jpg
Genocide memorial in Bikfaya, Lebanon.

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 visits the monument on April 24 every other year. The pilgrimages are alternated with the Catholicate of Cilicia in Antelias.[2]

Sports

There are two predominately Armenian sport teams in Lebanon: Homenetmen Beirut (football) and Antranik (basketball). Homenetmen Beirut won the Lebanese League in 1996 and 1997.[3]

Notable Lebanese Armenians

References

1 [CIA World Factbook, 2007]

  1. ^ http://www.cilicia.com/armo10i_lebanon.html
  2. ^ http://www.armenian-genocide.org/Memorial.102/current_category.70/memorials_detail.html
  3. ^ http://members.tripod.com/Sagesse_club/Salpy2.html
  4. ^ http://www.huliq.com/18681/speghani-choir-bearers-of-armenian-song
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