Ara Abramyan

Ara Abrahamyan (born 15 April 1957, Malishka, Yeghegnadzor District, Armenia) (Armenian: Արա Աբրահամյան) is a prominent philanthropist, social activist, one of the most famous Armenian-Russian businessmen and the current president of the Union of Armenians in Russia. He was born on 15 April 1957, in Malishka a village in Vayots Dzor Region, Armenia, in a family of physicians. He attended Yerevan State Agricultural University and gained a degree in economics.

Career

He started his career path as an engineer in “Neuron” Industrial enterprise growing to the General Manager of the company. In 1989, he was appointed the Deputy Head of the Department at the USSR Ministry of Electronic Industry. He has been the President of “COMEX” since 1991 and the Founder and CEO of “SOGLASIE” JSC since 1993. The latter is one of Russia’s top investing companies now. Ara Abrahamyan has contributed in developing the cultural and economic life both in the Republic of Armenia and Russian Federation. He has established many companies, foundations and initiated remarkable charity and philanthropy programs․ He took part in several humanitarian actions, supporting people in misfortune. Particularly, Armenian pilots and Russian sailors were released from custody in Equatorial Guinea and Nigeria, thanks to personal involvement and active diplomatic efforts demonstrated by Ara Аbrahamyan. Ara Аbrahamyan built an Armenian Church of St. Anne and a Museum of Russian-Armenian Friendship in his native village Malishka. He also supported the building of a school in the village, furnished by the latest modern equipment. A similar school building project is initiated in Stepanakert․ Ara Аbrahamyan pays significant attention to education particularly to teaching the Armenian language in the native communities residing in Russia, with the aim to preserve it.

He does everything to keep peace in intercultural and inter-religious issues. By the means of Ara Abrahamyan, a benevolence dining hall “Arshavir and Baidzar Abrahamyan” opened in Yerevan in 2001. Two buildings with 130 apartments were purchased with the financial support of Ara Аbrahamyan and presented to refugees.

Ara Abrahamyan has hold the position of the President of the Union of Armenians in Russia since 2000 and the President of the World Armenian Congress since 2003. He is also a co-Chairman of Production Councils with South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, France, Nigeria, Libya and the Russian Federation.

Achievements/Orders

• 1991- “Honored Employee” medal by USSR Ministry of Electronic Industry
• 1996 - Russian Federation Presidential Certificate of Honor
• 1998 - Night cross of Saint Constantine the Great
• 1999 – Honored builder of Russia
• 1999 – UNESCO Certificate of Honor for high social activity (for participation in rebuilding the Kremlin Fortress)
• 2000 - “Saint Enlightener Order”, the highest award of the Armenian Apostolic Church, for merits to the Armenian people.
• 2001 – “For genuine dedication” medal by “Orthodox Russia” Social Movement.
• 2001- “For strengthening Military Cooperation” medal by the Ministry of Defense of Russian Federation.
• 2001, 2003, 2005, 2011- “Man of the Year” national prize of Russian Federation for strengthening the civil society.
• 2002 – Order of Friendship of Russian Federation
• 2003 – Gold medal by the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.
• 2003 –UNESCO’s “Good Will Ambassador”
• 2005 - National order of the legion of Honor of France. The latter is the highest decoration in France established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, and was allotted to Ara Abrahamyan by the president of France Jacques Chirac for developing Russian-French relations and promoting greater cooperation.

Family

Ara Abrahamyan was born in a large family of 6 children. He has 4 brothers and 1 sister. He is married and has 3 children: Yulia, Vladislav, Anna.

External links

• Persons.am