Armenians in Syria
| Total population |
|---|
| 100,000 |
| Regions with significant populations |
| Aleppo, Al-Qamishli, Damascus Kesab and Yacoubiyah (two Armenian inhabited villages) |
| Languages |
| Religion |
| Related ethnic groups |
|
Armenian, Hamshenis, Cherkesogai groups |
The Armenians in Syria are Syrian citizens of either full or partial Armenian descent. Syria and the surrounding areas have often served as a refuge for Armenians who fled from wars and persecutions such as the Armenian Genocide. According to Armenian diaspora organizations estimated that there are 150,000 [1] Armenians in Syria, most of whom live in Aleppo. But in fact the number of the Armenian population in Syria has declined during the recent 20 years, and it roughly counts 100,000 nowadays. The town of Kesab has also a majority of Armenians within Syria.
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[edit] History
Armenia under Tigranes the Great subjugated Syria, and chose Antioch as one of the four capitals of the short lived Armenian Empire. During Antiquity, there was some Armenian presence in Northern Syria, however it wasn't a considerable one.
Christianity became the official religion of Armenia in 301 through the efforts of Saint Gregory the Illuminator. Armenian merchants and travelers often frequented Antioch, one of the earliest sites of Christian teaching and practice, and had relations with the even closer Christian centers of Edessa and Nisibis, all of which are located in Greater Syria, where Christianity flourished in apostolic times.
When the Seljuk Turks conquered Armenia from its previous Byzantine rulers, waves of Armenians left their homeland in order to find a more stable place to live. Most Armenians established themselves in Cilicia where an Armenian kingdom was founded, but some chose Northern Syria. Armenian quarters were formed during the 11th century in towns or cities such as Antioch, Aleppo, Aintab, etc.
During the Crusades, the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia chose to side with the European invaders rather than the mostly Turkish rulers of Syria. Prior to the Siege of Antioch, most Armenians were expelled from Antioch by Yaghi-Siyan, the Turkish governor of the city, a move that prompted the Armenians of Antioch to show further support to the Crusaders. Thus, the new rulers of Antioch became the Europeans. Armenian engineers also helped the Crusaders during the Siege of Tyre by manipulating siege engines.
The Armenian population of Syria and its surrounding areas greatly diminished after the region was taken by the Mongols under Hulagu.
At the beginning of the 14th century, a new wave of Armenian migrants from Cilicia arrived in Aleppo with the decline of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. They have gradually developed their own schools, churches and later on the prelacy, to become a well-organized community during in Aleppo by mid-14th century.
At the first years of the Ottoman rule, there was relatively smaller Armenian presence in Northern Syria due to the previous conflicts. A larger community existed in Urfa, a city often considered part of Greater Syria. The Ottoman Empire had a large indigenous Armenian population in its Eastern Anatolia region, from where some Armenians moved to Aleppo in search of economic opportunity. Later on, many Armenian families moved from Western Armenia to Aleppo escaping the Turkish oppression. Thus, large numbers of Armenians from Arapgir, Sasun, Hromgla, Zeitun, Marash and New Julfa arrived in Aleppo during the 17th century. Another wave of migrants from Karin arrived in Aleppo in 1737. There were also families from Yerevan.[2]
[edit] Armenians in Syria (20th century-present)
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Although the Armenians have had a long history in Syria, most arrived there during the Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire. The main killing fields of Armenians were located in the Syrian desert of Deir ez-Zor (Euprathes Valley). 1.5 million Armenians were killed and hundreds of thousands fled historic Armenia. The native Arabs didn't hesitate to shelter and support persecuted Armenians. Arabs and Armenians have traditionally had good relations after Arabs sheltered the Armenians during the Armenian Genocide.
Most Armenians of Syria live in Aleppo, while a smaller community exists in the capital city of Damascus. Armenians even have their own quarter "Hayy al Arman" (Quarter of the Armenians) in Damascus.
There are Armenians also in Lattakia, Kesab and Yacoubiyah in the northwest, and in Ar-Raqqah, Tal Abyad, Al-Hasakah, Al-Qamishli, Al-Malikiyah and Ra's al-'Ayn in the east.
[edit] Kesab, an Armenian town in Syria
Kesab (Arabic: كسب, Armenian: 'Քեսապ') is a Syrian border town located in Latakia Governorate northwest of Syria at a height of 800 meters above sea level just 3 kilometers away from the Turkish border, and 9 kilometers from the Mediterranean sea.
Kasab is an ancient Armenian town, over 1000 years old. Today, The population of the town and the surrounding villages is mainly Armenian[3] with a minority of Syrian Arab.
Kesab is a touristic summer resort and a very popular destination.
[edit] Deir ez-Zor and the Armenian Genocide
In 1915, the Syrian region of Deir ez-Zor, mainly a desert became a final destination of the Armenians during Armenian Genocide where they were killed. A memorial complex commemorating this tragedy was opened in the city.[4] It was designed by Sarkis Balmanoukian and was officially inaugurated in 1990 with the presence of the Armenian Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. The complex contains bones and remnants recovered from the Deir ez-Zor desert of Armenian victims of the Genocide and has become a pilgrim destination for many Armenians in remembrance of their dead.
[edit] Organizations
The majority of Armenian organizations are based in the city of Aleppo. Those organizations are acting in the form of cultural, sport, youth or charitable associations, that aim to gather the Armenian community members through their activities.
Cultural associations based in Aleppo:
- Gertasirats Cultural Association (1924)
- Kermanig-Vasbouragan Cultural Association (1928)
- Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association (1930)
- Armenian Youth Association (1932)
- Tekeyan Armenian Cultural Association (1955)
- National Cultural Association (1955)
- The Revival of Urfa Cultural Association (1957)
- Nor Serount Cultural Association (1958)
- Cilician Cultural Association (1964)
- Syrian Youth Association (1978)
Charitable associations based in Aleppo:
- Armenian General Benevolent Union (1910), with its AGBU-Alex Manoogian multi-purpose centre in Aziziyeh area, Aleppo.
- Armenian Syrian Red Cross Association (1919), offices and clinics are located in Meydan quarter of Aleppo.
- National Orphanage (1920), is a centre of Armenian orphans located in the old Jdeydeh quarter of Aleppo.
- Armenian Old Age Home (1923), a large structure located in Bostan Pasha area of Aleppo.
- Howard Karageozian Commemorative Corporation (1941)
- Jinishian Memorial Foundation (1966)
- Social Service Consultation of the Diocese of Beroea (1993)
Sports associations based in Aleppo:
- Armenian Sports Union (Homenmen sports and scouting organization established in Aleppo in 1921)
- Armenian General Athletic Union (Homentmen sports and scouting organization, established in Istanbul in 1918 and opened branches in Syria in 1925), represented to the Syrian General Sports Federation under the name Al-Yarmouk Sports Club of Aleppo. The club's training facilities are located in Aziziyeh area, while the new sports centre is under construction in Bostan Pahsa area.
- Ararat Sports Union, represented to the Syrian General Sports Federation under the name Ourubeh Club of Aleppo. The training facilities are located in Bostan Pasha area.
Student associations based in Aleppo:
- Karen Jeppe College Graduates Union (1947), under the patronage of the National Prelacy.
- Aleppo Universities' Armenian Students Union (H.H.H.M, est. 1968), under the patronage of the National Prelacy.
- Graduates Union of Higher Institutions of Armenia (1982), under the patronage of the National Prelacy.
- Syrian Universities' Armenian Graduates Union (S.H.Sh.H.M, est. 1985), under the patronage of the National Prelacy.
- Dkhrouny Students-Youth Association (1969), under the patronage of Hunchakian party.
- Christapor Students Union (2001), under the patronage of Dashnak party.
Most of those associations have branches in other Syrian cities with organized Armenian communities such as Al-Qamishli, Damascus, Lattakia and Kesab.
The Armenians of Aleppo have also formed compatriotic unions based on their roots, named after towns and villages where their ancestors have migrated from, during the Armenian Genocide. Nowadays, there are 11 compatriotic organizations operating in Aleppo: Dikranagerd, Daron-Duruperan, Marash, Urfa women's, Urfa youth, Palu, Zeitun, Kilis, Berejik, Musa Ler and Garmouj compatriotic unions.
Other community structures in Aleppo:
- Avetis Aharonian theatre hall of the National Prelacy, opened in 1959, renovated and renamed in 1989, has a capacity of 450 seats.
- Zavarian theatre hall of the National Prelacy opened in 1965, totally renovated in 2002, has a capacity of 350 seats.
- Kevork Nazarian theatre hall of AGBU, renovated and renamed in mid 1990s, has a capacity of 550 seats.
- Zohrab Kaprielian theatre hall of Gertasirats Cultural Association, opened in 1973, totally renovated and renamed in 1999, has a capacity of 600 seats.
- Kevork Yesayan theatre hall of the National Prelacy, opened in 2005, has a capacity of 700 seats.
- Aram Manukian Public House of the National Prelacy, a multi-purpose centre, opened in 1989.
- Zarehian Treasury, currently occupies the building of former Surp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic church in the courtyard of the Forty Martyrs church. More than 650 valuable pieces are exhibited in the museum.
- Simon Vratsian Centre of the National Prelacy. After demolishing the old building of Gulbenkyan school, a new multi-purpose building was erected in 2003, on the same place.
- The National Cemetery. The Armenian cemetery of Aleppo has been granted by the government in 1927, and became the National Prelacy's property in 1946. In the centre of the cemetery, the chapel of Surp Hripsime stands since 1970.
[edit] Religion
Armenians in Syria are mainly followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church, with a minority of Armenian Catholics and Armenian Evangelicals. The Church plays a very important role in unifying Armenians in Syria.
After 301 AD, when Christianity became the official state religion of Armenia and its population, Aleppo became an important centre for the Armenian pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem. Yet, not considered an organized community in the city, Armenian presence was notably enlarged in Aleppo, during the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia (12th century), when a considerable number of Armenian families and merchants settled in the city creating their own businesses, residencies, and gradually schools, churches and prelacy. The Armenian church of the Forty Martyrs in Aleppo was mentioned for the first time in 1476. In 1624, as a result of the growing number of Armenian residents and pilgrims, the Armenian prelacy started to build a quarter near the church which kept its original name Hokedun (Spiritual House), up to now. It was designated to serve as a settlement for the Armenian pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem.
[edit] Apostolic Armenians
The majority of Armenians of the Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) faith are under the jurisdiction of the Holy See of Cilicia (based in Antelias, Lebanon) of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
In difference, the Diocese of Damascus pledges allegiance to the Mother See of Holy Echmiadzin.
The Armenian Orthodox population in Syria belongs to one of three prelacies:
- Diocese of Aleppo, also known as "Perio Tem" (which means the Diocese of Beroea), was first opened in 1432, and its first Archbishop was Hovagim of Beroea (1432–1442). The estimated population of the diocese all over Syria is about 70,000 Armenians.[5]
- Diocese of Al-Jazira (in Al-Qamishli)
- Diocese of Damascus
The churches include:
In Aleppo (Diocese of Aleppo):
- Cathedral of the Forty Martyrs
- Surp Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church
- Surp Krikor Lusavorich (Saint Gregory the Illuminator) Church
- Church of the Holy Mother of God
- Surp Hagop (Saint Jacob of Nisibis) Armenian Church
in Latakia Governorate (under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Aleppo):
- Surp Hripsime Church of Yacoubiyah village
- Surp Anna Church of Yacoubiyah village
- Surp Asdvadzadzin Church of Lattakia
- Surp Asdvadzadzin Church of Kesab
- Surp Asdvadzadzin Church of Karadouran village near Kesab
- Surp Stepanos Church of Karadouran village near Kesab
- Surp Kevork (Saint George) Armenian Church of Ghnemiyeh village
- Surp Stepanos (Saint Stephen) Armenian Church of Aramo village
In the governorates of Ar-Raqqah and Deir ez-Zor (under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Aleppo):
- Armenian Genocide Martyrs' Memorial Church-Complex of Deir ez-Zor
- Surp Harutyun (Holy Resurrection) Chapel of Margadeh village
- Surp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church in Ar-Raqqah
- Surp Khach or the church of the Holy Cross in Tal Abyad town
in Al-Hasakah Governorate (Diocese of Al-Jazira):
- Surp Hagop Armenian Apostolic Church in Al-Qamishli, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic prelacy in Al-Jazira region
- Surp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church in Al-Malikiyah (Dayrik) town
- Surp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic Church in Ra's al-'Ayn
- Surp Hovhannu Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church in Al-Hasakah
In Damascus (Diocese of Damascus):
- Surp Sarkis Church, the seat of the Armenian Apostolic prelacy in Damascus
-
Surp Kevork church of Aleppo
-
Surp Harutyun (Holy Resurrection) Chapel of Margadeh
-
The Holy Cross church of Tal Abyad
-
The Holy Mother of God church of Kesab
[edit] Catholic Armenians
Armenian Catholics are members of the Armenian Catholic Church.
The first official Armenian Catholic Prelate of in Aleppo was the Bishop Abraham Ardzivian (1710–1740). In 1740, he became the first Armenian Catholic Catholicos-Patriarch of Cilicia, appointed by Benedict XV in 1742 in Lebanon. Nowadays, the number of the Catholic believers of the Eparchy of Aleppo is approximately 15,000.
The Armenian Catholic community in Damascus was established in 1763 in Damascus in the days of the Catholicos Michael Petros III Kasparian. In 1863, the ancient church was anointed. In 1959, the church and the archbishopric "Bab Touma" were bought. In 1969, the first bishop was nominated. Since 1984, the Armenian Catholic bishop carries the title of Patriarchal exarchate.
The Eparchy of Al-Qamishli (or the Eparchy of Al-Jazira) has under its jurisdiction, the eastern region of Syria (Al-Jazira, Mesopotamia) which includes the governorates of Al-Hasakah and Deir ez-Zor.
The Armenian Catholic churches include:
In Aleppo (Eparchy of Aleppo):
- Cathedral of Our Mother of Reliefs (1840, Tilel street)
- The Holy Saviour - Saint Barbara Church (1937, Suleymanieh area)
- Holy Trinity Church (1965, Meydan area)
- Holy Cross Church (1993, Ouroubeh area)
- Church of Our Lady of Annunciation (1942, Sheikh Maksoud area)
In Latakia Governorate (under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Aleppo):
- Saint Michael the Archangel Church of Kesab
- Church of Our Lady of Assumption, Baghjaghaz village near Kesab
in Al-Hasakah Governorate and Deir ez-Zor (Diocese of Al-Jazira):
- Saint Joseph Church in Al-Qamishli, the seat of the Armenian Catholic prelacy in Al-Jazira
- Sainte Famille Church in Al-Hasakah
- St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in Deir ez-Zor
In Ar-Raqqah (under the jurisdiction of the diocese of Aleppo):
- Holy Martyrs Church
In Damascus (Damascus Patriarchal exarchate):
- Notre-Dame Church of the Universe (Bab Touma quarter), the seat of the Armenian Catholic prelacy in Damascus
Convents and Seminaries:
- The convent of the Immaculate Conception Sisters, Aziziyeh area, Aleppo
- Saint Vartanants Convent, Meydan, Aleppo
- The convent of Mekhitarist Fathers, New Syriac quarter, Aleppo
[edit] Evangelical Armenians
Armenian Evangelicals (also called Armenian Protestants), belong to Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East of the Armenian Evangelical Church. The Armenian Evangelical churches include:
- Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church (Aleppo)
- Armenian Evangelical Bethel Church (Aleppo)
- Armenian Evangelical Martyrs' Church (Aleppo)
- Church of Christ (Aleppo)
- The Holy Trinity Armenian Evangelical Church of Kesab
- Emmanuel Armenian Evangelical Church of Ekizolukh village near Kesab
- The Armenian Evangelical Church of Keorkeuna village near Kesab
- The Armenian Evangelical Church of Karadouran village near Kesab
[edit] Education
Armenian education is very important in maintaining Armenian language and patriotism among the Armenian community in Syria. Aleppo as the main host of he community, is a center of Armenian long-running schools and cultural institutions. Armenian students who graduate from those community schools, can immediately enter the Syrian university system, after passing the official Thanawiya 'Amma (High School baccalaureate) exams.
A total of 9 schools operate in the northern city of Aleppo including four secondary schools:
- Karen Jeppe Armenian College, the first Armenian secondary school in Aleppo. The school was established in 1947 on a piece of land in the Armenian quarter of Meydan, which has been transferred to the Armenian Prelacy by the will of Danish philanthropist miss Karen Jeppe, by the initiative of then-bishop Zareh Payaslian (the future Catholicos of the house of Cilicia, Zareh I). The school building has been expanded gradually in 1966, 1973 and 1986. Nowadays, this educational centre has around 1100 mixed students with only secondary section of six grades, and operates under the direct administration of the Armenian prelacy of Aleppo.
- Lazar Nadjarian-Calouste Gulbenkian Armenian Central High School, was founded as Lazar Nadjarian Central School in 1954 by the efforts of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, and became secondary in 1959 to be renamed Lazar Nadjarian-Calouste Gulbenkian Central School. The elementary and the secondary sections are situated in two buildings connected to each other while the kindergarten has its own newly erected building. This educational centre of more than 1500 mixed students, is under the administration of the Syrian Regional Central Committee of the Armenian General Benevolent Union. The school has its own theatre hall named after its benefactor "Kevork Hagop Nazarian".
- Cilician (Giligian) Armenian High School, is a 12 grade mixed high school, established in 1921. It has three sections: nursery, elementary and secondary, each of them has its own separate building. The sections are all situated along the Sissi street in the old Christian quarter of Jdeydeh. At first, it was founded in 1921 as Cilician Refugees School by the efforts of Cilician Relief Association. In 1930, it was renamed Cilician School and subsequently Cilician High School after the foundation of the secondary section in 1960. The Cilician School complex is currently being administrated by the Cilician Cultural Association. The school has more than 450 students.
- Gertasirats High School, has been founded as Aintab’s Gertasirats Mixed School by the efforts of "Aintab's Gertasirats Association" in 1924. Up to 1974, the school was located in the old Christian quarter near Jdeydeh, when it moved to the a new modern building in Suleimanyeh area. It has a kindergarten, elementary section, and since 2004; secondary section. The school is under the administration of Gertasirats Cultural Association, and has around 300 mixed students. Adjacent to the school, the Armenian church of the Holy Mother of God was opened in 1983. The school has its own "Zohrab Kaprielian" theatre hall which is one of the biggest halls in Aleppo.
Other Elementary schools in Aleppo under the administration of the prelacy:
- Haygazian Elementary School, established in 1919. It is considered a continuation of the "Tebradoun" (est. in 1876) and the Nersessian School. The school is located within the Forty Martyrs Cathedral's complex, and consists of a six years mixed elementary educational section, in addition to a kindergarten which operates in a totally different area. The elementary section has more than 800 students. The school has a theatre hall named after Avetis Aharonian.
- Mesrobian Elementary School. It is a six-year elementary education school. At first, the school was opened in Suleimaniyeh's Armenian refuge camp of Ram in 1923 and was known as camp's Mesrobian Mixed school, then, in 1936 it has been transformed to the Meydan Armenian quarter, to be included within the proposed Surp Kevork church (consecrated in 1965) complex. The nursery section of the school is operating in a small building adjacent to the Surp Kevork church. In 2003, the total number of the students of the mixed school was 200.
- Zavarian Elementary School, originally founded as Nersessian School in 1925. A small section from the school has been transformed to the an Adult Orphan's Centre. On 15 August 1936, the two sections have been merged in one building in the Armenian quarter of Meydan. The new school, along with its theatre hall were renamed in the honour of Simon Zavarian. The building was totally renovated in 1965. Nowadays it has a six years mixed elementary section and a kindergarten. The total number of the students is 451.
- Sahagian Elementary School, founded in 1927 by the donation of Armenians of India and Brazil. It is located in Meydan quarter since 1932 in the Surp Krikor church yard, with an additional building erected in 1962. Nowadays, it works as a six years mixed elementary education school with a kindergarten, which are placed in two separate buildings next to ech other. The total number of the students is 852. The school was named in the honour of Catholicos Sahak I Khabayan of the Holy See of Cilicia.
- Gulbenkian Elementary School, founded on 22 September 1930, as Boghos Gulbenkian school by the donation of national benefactor Nerses Gulbenkian from London. Up to 1996, the school was operating in a small building located in a narrow street in the Suleimanyeh area. On 13 June 1997, the new modern building of the school in Suleimaniyeh area, was inaugurated with the presence of Catholicos Aram I. Nowadays, it works as a six years mixed elementary school with a kindergarten section. The total number of the students is 516. The Kevork Yesayan theatre hall, which is considered among the best halls in Aleppo, is also a part of the new complex of the school.
Outside Aleppo:
- Yeprad (Euphrates) Intermediary School, Al Qamishli, founded in 1932 and since 1962 has 9 grades, currently has around 900 students.
- Azadutyun School, Al-Malikiyah (Dayrik)
- Mesrobian School, Al-Hasakah
- Nahadagats School, Ra's al-'Ayn
- Khorenian School, Tal Abyad
- Noubarian School, Ar-Raqqah
- Veradzenount School, Yacoubiyah
- Nahadagats School, Lattakia
- Usumnasirats Miyatsyal School, Kesab
- Tarkmanchats Intermediary School, Damascus
- Usumnasirats School, Damascus
- AGBU Gyullabi Gulbenkian School, Damascus
- Sahakian School, Homs
[edit] Media
Syria has a rich tradition of media and publications in Armenian language. Armenian dailies all defunct now had a great run. The daily Hay Tsayn (1918–1919), one-every-two-days Darakir (1918–1919) and Yeprad (1919) are among the first published newspapers.
A stream of publications followed in the twenties and the thirties: Suryagan Surhantag (1919–1922), Suryagan Mamul (1922–1927), the dailies Yeprad (1927–1947), Surya (1946–1960) and Arevelk (1946–1963). The latter had also its annual yearbook. Arevelk had also published 1956 its youth supplement Vahakn (1956-1963) and its sports supplement Arevelk Marzashkharh (1957-1963).
Monthly papers included Nayiri (1941–1949) published by Antranig Dzarugian, and Purasdan youth publication (1950–1958).
Yearbooks include Suryahay Daretsuyts (1924–1926), Datev (1925–1930), Suryagan Albom (1927–1929), Daron (1949), Hay Darekirk (1956) and Keghart (since 1975).
Currently, Kantsasar weekly is the official organ of the Armenian Prelacy of Aleppo. It was first published as Oshagan in 1978 and was renamed Kantsasar in 1991.
Syrian publishers have a great contribution in translating several Armenian literature and academic studies into Arabic. It is noteworthy that the first evere Arabic language newspaper was published by the Aleppine Armenian journalist Rizqallah Hassoun in 1855 in Constantinople.[6]
[edit] Politics
Armenians have had almost continuous representation in the Syrian Parliament from 1928 onwards. The Armenian-Syrian members of Parliament were (in chronological order) Mihran Puzantian, Fathalla Asioun, Nicolas Djandjigian, Movses Der Kalousdian (later on also MP in the Lebanese Parliament), Hratch Papazian, Henri Hendieh (Balabanian), Hrant Sulahian, Bedros Milletbashian, Ardashes Boghigian, Nazaret Yacoubian, Movses Salatian, Dikran Tcheradjian, Fred Arslanian, Abdallah Fattal, Louis Hendieh, Krikor Eblighatian, Aram Karamanougian, Roupen Dirarian, Levon Ghazal, Simon Libarian and Sunbul Sunbulian (incumbent as at 2011).
[edit] Syrian-Armenian Relation
The Armenian embassy of Damascus (since 1992), was the first Armenian embassy opened abroad after the independence of Armenia. The official visit of the newly elected Armenian president Levon Ter-Petrossian to Syria in 1992, was the first international official visit of an Armenian president after the independence. Since then, the relations between the two countries are developing especially after the creation of a joint economical committee between the two governments and the establishment of co-operation between the commercial chmabers of Aleppo and Armenia since 2008. The recent visit of president Bashar al-Assad to Yerevan in June 2009, came to maintain the bilateral relations.
Armenia has also a consulate general in Aleppo since 28 May 1993. In 1997, the Syrians opened their embassy in Yerevan which is located on Baghramyan street, few meters away from the presidential palace.
The first president of the new Republic of Armenia Levon Ter-Petrossian was born in Aleppo.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ ARMENIAN POPULATION IN THE WORLD
- ^ Aztag Daily, 10 February 2000, article edited by Mania Ghazarian and Ashod Sdepanian
- ^ Mannheim, Ivan (2001). Syria and Lebanon Handbook: The Travel Guide. Footprint Travel Guides. p. 299. ISBN 1900949903.
- ^ Monument and Memorial Complex at Der Zor, Syria
- ^ "Diocese of Aleppo, History". Diocese of Aleppo. http://www.periotem.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Subjects&file=index&req=viewpageext&pageid=742.
- ^ The Syrian press, the past and the present, by Hashem Osman, 1970 Damascus (الصحافة السورية ماضيها وحاضرها –هاشم عثمان– 1970 دمشق)
[edit] External links
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