About Community

Armenian Community in Lebanon

Armenian community in Lebanon is one of the most traditional communities in the world. Our compatriots, who survived genocide, very soon created a lively Armenian community in Lebanon with its diverse infrastructures – churches, monasteries, schools, media, cultural, sports and charity organizations and raised Armenian speaking, patriotic new generations. Armenians, with the support of the government and people of Lebanon, have managed to preserved their rich national culture and values, and being citizens of Lebanon, brought their diligence and talent to make a significant contribution in the development and prosperity of the country. Lebanese Armenians reside mainly in Bourj Hamoud and Hajn districts of Beirut, in Mount Lebanon, in the village of Aynjar www.mousaleranjar.com and in many other parts of the country.

Today the Armenian community in Lebanon with its unique role and potential represents a strong and reliable bridge connecting the two friendly countries – Armenia and Lebanon. Till the mid 70-s the Armenian community in Lebanon was comprised of 250.000-300.000 people. Due to the long civil war and insecurity and prolonged economic crisis that emerged as a consequence, this number has been reduced. Today there are more than 150 000 Armenians living in Lebanon. Indeed, very often approximate figures are given which not based on census.

Though thousands of Lebanese Armenians have emigrated from Lebanon during the last 30 years, they have maintained the Lebanese citizenship and their names are kept in the appropriate voters’ lists, since according to Lebanese law they have the right to come and participate in the elections.

Political structure of the community

For decades Lebanon has been the focal point or the most important branch for the three Armenian traditional political parties. In this context Lebanon played an exceptional role for the whole Diaspora mainly in 1950-1970. Though today headquarters of the parties are located outside Lebanon, the Lebanon remains as one of the most important branches for Armenian Revolutionary Federation www.arf1890.com, Social Democrat Hunchak party www.hunchak.org and Armenian Democratic Liberal- Ramgavar party adl.hayway.org, for which relatively loyal and democratic conditions for activities of parties and their media exist.

Many Armenian churches are located in lebanon, as well as headquarters of such centers of Diaspora as “Hamazgayin” cultural union www.hamazkayin.com, Armenian physical training general union, Armenian sports organization etc.

Armenian community is represented in the government of Lebanon by the minister of energy and water Arthur Nazarian. The seats allocated for the Armenian community by Lebanese constitution are allocated in the following way after parliamentary elections held in June, 2009:

“March 14” political group:

Sepouh Kalpakian – Armenian Orthodox community, Social Democrat “Hunchak” party

Jean Oghasabian – Armenian Orthodox community, “Ramkavar Freedom” party

Serj Dursargisian – Armenian Catholic community

Shant Chinchinian – Armenian Orthodox community, Armenian General Benevolent Union

“March 8” political group:

Hakob Bagratuni – Armenian Orthodox community, Armenian Revolutionary Federation party

Arthur Nazarian – Armenian Orthodox community, Armenian General Benevolent Union.

Churches

Lebanon is one of the major centers for Armenian churches. Here the Catholicosate of Cilicia www.armenianorthodoxchurch.org, the residence of Catholicos – Patriarch of the Armenian Catholic Church armeniancatholic.org and the residence of the president of the union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East www.uaecne.org. are located.

Throughout the course of the history the Catholicosate of Cilicia was actively envolved in spiritual, educational, cultural and social life of the Armenian nation. After the Armenian genocide in 1915 Catholicosate of Cilicia actively participated in formation and organization of diaspora. Since 1995 the Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia is Aram A. Keshishian. The head of the Armenian Orthodox Diocese is archbishop Gegham Khacherian.

The Armenian Catholic community was increased in 30-s of 19^th century due to persecutions of catholics in turkish provinces. Further the number of the community has grown following the inflow of refugees from Cilicia. The Zmarr monastery www.bzommarvank.org, which was build in 19^th century, is the administrative center for the whole Catholic Armenians in the world. The Eparchy leader is the Catholicos Patriarch Nerses Petros XIX Tarmouni. The General representative of the Patriarchal Eparchy is H.E. Mgr. Vartan Ashkarian.

The Armenian Catholic Patriarchy is subject directly to Vatican and thus has broad relations in international circles supporting greatly all Armenian projects.

The Armenian Evangelic community is small in numbers and is a part of Evangelic Church of Lebanon, where the Armenian Evangelists constitute the majority and have significant influence. The President of the UAECNE is Rev. Megrdich Karagoezian. The chairman of the central body of the union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East is Rev. Soghomon Kilaghpian.

Charity, cultural and sports relations

The Armenian Community in Lebanon always actively participates in charity, cultural and sports life both in Lebanon and the region, thus constituting the important part of Lebanese diverse society. The charity, cultural and sports organizations (AGBU, Hamazgayin, LOKH, Homenmen etc.) of the community sometimes compete between themselves in a unique way, which has positive impact on the level of activities in their spheres. Different branches of AGBU www.agbu.org carry out diverse activities for the benefit of Armenia and Armenians. In 1998 with the support of AGBU the building of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia was constructed in Beirut.

Charity organizations of the community – AGBU, LOKH, www.lokh-arcl.org etc., take care of Armenians from insecure social layers, providing, if necessary, medical care, in some instances – food and clothes, preventing the possible worsening of social situation. Here the role of individual benefactors is immaterial, since many schools, social (asylums, houses for elderly), healthcare and cultural centers continue to function in the community with their financial support.

The branch of “Hayastan” All Armenian fund www.himnadram.org and Artsak fund are also located in Lebanon.

Several national, vocational and professional unions, in particular medical union of Lebanese Armenians, “Haychar” union of Armenian craftsmen, businessmen union, servicemen union of the Armenian community, function in the Armenian community of Lebanon as well.

Armenian community in Lebanon maintains close relations with Motherland inviting famous artists (conductors, actors, painters, singers, dancing groups etc.), sportsmen and trainers from Armenia for short or long time periods. During the last years many Armenian sportsmen have represented Lebanon in pan Arabic, Asian and international events.

Lebanese Armenians always enthusiastically participate in pan Armenian events which are organized in Armenia. Big delegations from Lebanon participated in pan Armenian games, youth gatherings, “One nation, one culture” festival and many other events organized in Armenia by the Ministry of Diaspora and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia.

Educational institutions and schools

The only Armenian higher educational institution in Diaspora is situated in Beirut – Haykazian University www.haigazian.edu.lb. Rev. Doctor Paul Haydostian is the President of the University . In September 2009 the Haykazian University signed Memorandum of Understanding with Yerevan State University. The network of Armenian educational institutions in Lebanon is one of the well organized in Diaspora.

At present there are 26 functioning Armenian schools in Lebanon with 8 000 students.

Media

Armenian media in Lebanon has rich traditions. There are many journals, newspapers, periodicals being published in Lebanon. Aztag www.aztagdaily.com, Zartonk zartonkdaily.com and Ararad www.araraddaily.com newspapers should be mentioned as real leaders among newspapers. These papers are extremely important for the whole Diaspora since they are being distributed in Europe and Middle East countries where no Armenian newspapers exist.

Aztag daily which is the biggest by its circulation has been recently awarded by the Ministry of Diaspora as the best media abroad.

Voice of Van www.voiceofvan.net and Radio Sevan www.radiosevan.com provide 24 hours broadcasting every day. There are news programs with the duration of 30 minutes in Armenian language broadcasted by the Future TV and OTV. Thanks to close co-operation with the Radio Ardzagank Radio Sevan started its broadcasting from Armenia since October 1, 2010.

Art galleries

Many art exhibitions are organized in different art galleries. Among them Luci Tutunjian artgallery.hamazkayin.com and Noah’s ark www.noahsarkgallery.com galleries should be mentioned.

MFA RA
official website

Dual citizenship

Electronic visa

Visa applications