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==Media==
==Media==
Lebanese Armenians have developed an active interest in developing media outlets. Armenians were keen in establishing dailies since the 1920s when they established in great numbers in Lebanon. "Pyunik" was the pioneer newspaper establishing (replaced by Aztag in 1927.
Lebanese Armenians have developed an active interest in developing media outlets. Lebanese Armenians were keen in establishing dailies since the 1920s when they established in great numbers in Lebanon. "Pyunik" was the pioneer newspaper establishing (replaced by Aztag in 1927.


===Press===
===Press===
There are three Armenian daily newspapers published in Beirut, [[Aztag Daily Newspaper]] established in 1927 (Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Tashnag), [[Ararad Daily Newspaper]] (Social Democratic Hunchagian Party - Hunchag) and [[Zartonk Daily Newspaper]] established in 1937 (Armenian Liberal Democratic Party - Ramgavar).
There are three Armenian daily newspapers published in Beirut all mouthpieces of the traditional Armenian political parties (Tashnag, Hunchag and Ramgavar).
*[[Aztag Daily Newspaper]] speaks on behalf of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation - Tashnag and was established in 1927
*[[Ararad Daily Newspaper]] is published by the Social Democratic Hunchagian Party - Hunchag Party
*[[Zartonk Daily Newspaper]] is published by Armenian Liberal Democratic Party - Ramgavar and
was established in 1937.


There are also many other publications including Pakin (literary), Shirak (literary), Marzig (sports), Tidag (social / lifestyle)
There are also many other publications including Pakin (literary), Shirak (literary), Marzig (sports), Tidag (social / lifestyle)

Revision as of 16:40, 20 July 2008

Around 10 000 Lebanese-Armenians marching on April 24, 2006, on the 91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide

The Armenians in Lebanon (Armenian: Լիբանանահայեր, Arabic: أرمن لبنان) 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.* Prior to the Lebanese Civil War, the number was higher, but the community lost a portion of its population to immigration. 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 times been filled by an Armenian, making for a total of 7 Armenians in the Lebanese parliament. Lebanese Armenian also have one and in larger governments two government ministers.

History

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Persecution

Armenians first established contact with Lebanon when Tigranes the Great conquered Phoenicia from the Seleucids and made it part of his 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. There are three prominent Armenian political parties in Lebanon: the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Tashnag), Social Democrat Hunchakian Party (Hunchag) and Armenian Liberal Democratic Party (Ramgavar Party). They play significant influence in all facets of Armenian life. Various Armenian guerilla organizations, such as ASALA became active 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]

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

Lebanon boasts to have the only Armenian university in the Armenian Diaspora (outside the Republic of Armenia) called Haigazian University (HU) one of Beirut's most prestigious academic insititutions. It is a liberal arts Armenian institution of higher learning, which uses English as the language of instruction.

Most schools are run by church organizations of the three Armenian Christian denominations (Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical). Others are run by cultural associations like Hamazkaine and Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU)

Some other secondary schools include:

Media

Lebanese Armenians have developed an active interest in developing media outlets. Lebanese Armenians were keen in establishing dailies since the 1920s when they established in great numbers in Lebanon. "Pyunik" was the pioneer newspaper establishing (replaced by Aztag in 1927.

Press

There are three Armenian daily newspapers published in Beirut all mouthpieces of the traditional Armenian political parties (Tashnag, Hunchag and Ramgavar).

was established in 1937.

There are also many other publications including Pakin (literary), Shirak (literary), Marzig (sports), Tidag (social / lifestyle)

Radio

The Lebanese state radio established very early on daily radio broadcasts in Armenian through its second channel consecrated to broadcasting in languages (mainly English and French). That programming goes on to date on Radio Liban.

During the civil war, the Lebanese Armenians established a great number of unlicenced radio stations (some non-stop for 24 hours a day). The pioneer was the popular radio station "Radio Paradise" and later on "Vana Tsayn" (Voice of Van). However with the Lebanese Parliament enacting laws organizing the airwaves, all the unlicenced stations (alongside the other Lebanese stations) had to close.

There are two operating and fully licenced radio stations operating in Armenian in Lebanon - "Voice of Van" and "Radio Sevan".

Television

Lebanese private stations and stateowned Tele-Liban have consecrated occasionally television programming in Armenian on certain occasion. During the Lebanese civil war, an Armenian television station "Paradise TV" co-operated with "Radio Paradise" was established tthrough broadcast tower in Bourj Hammoud. But "Radise Television" Armenian television station had to close after it failed to get a licence according to the new laws organziing the airwaves.

However very notably, Al Mustaqbal Television (also known as Future Television) broadcasts daily news and comments in Armenian in its regular programming.

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

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 three predominantly Armenian sports clubs in Lebanon

Two of them (Homenetmen and Homenmen) have important football (soccer) teams in Lebanon and two (Antranik and Homenetmen) prominent basketball teams.

The abovementioned Lebanese Armenian clubs also have huge influence in other sports, but most notably in cycling and table tennis.

Notable Lebanese Armenians

Politics

Arts

Other

References

  1. ^ Lebanon Recognizes the Armenian Genocide
  2. ^ Monument in Bikfaya, Lebanon
  3. ^ Speghani Choir: Bearers of Armenian Song | HULIQ
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