Jump to content

Armenians in Lebanon: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Line 108: Line 108:
The Armenian clubs Homenetmen and Homenmen have important football (soccer) teams in the official first and second division soccer leagues in Lebanon, although the membership of the teams is not restricted to ethnic Armenians and will usually include other Lebanese non-Armenian players as well as contracted foreign players, including professional players from the Republic of Armenia.
The Armenian clubs Homenetmen and Homenmen have important football (soccer) teams in the official first and second division soccer leagues in Lebanon, although the membership of the teams is not restricted to ethnic Armenians and will usually include other Lebanese non-Armenian players as well as contracted foreign players, including professional players from the Republic of Armenia.


Homenetmen Beirut has won the Lebanese Football Championship titile 7 times in the years: 1944, 1946, 1948, 1951, 1955, 1963 and 1969 and Homenmen Beirut the Championship title 4 times in 1945, 1954, 1957 and 1961.
Homenetmen Beirut has won the Lebanese Football Championship titile 7 times in the years: 1944, 1946, 1948, 1951, 1955, 1963 and 1969 and Homenmen Beirut the Championship title 4 times in 1945, 1954, 1957 and 1961. Overall, both clubs feature in the top 5 of most titles in Lebanese football:
1. Al Ansar - 13 titles
2. Homenetmen Beirut - 7 titles
3. Al Nejmeh Beirut - 6 titles
4. Al Nahda - 5 titles
5. Homenmen - 4 titles


Many Lebanese Armenians have played for the [[Lebanon national football team]]. From them, we can mention [[Mardek Chabarian]], [[Wartan Ghazarian]].
Many Lebanese Armenians have played for the [[Lebanon national football team]]. From them, we can mention [[Mardek Chabarian]], [[Wartan Ghazarian]].

Revision as of 02:25, 29 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.

History

Part of a series on
Armenians
Armenian culture
By country or region
Armenian diaspora
Russia
Subgroups
Religion
Languages and dialects
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.

Political Representation

According to the traditional Lebanese confessional representation in the Lebanese Parliament, a certain number of seats have been reserved for Armenian candidates according to their confession. Presently the Lebanese-Armenians are represented in the 128-seat Lebanese Parliament with 6 guaranteed seats (5 Armenian Orthodox and 1 Armenian Catholic) as follows:

  • 3 Armenian Orthodox seats in the capital Beirut
  • 1 Armenian Orthodox seat in the Matn District
  • 1 Armenian Orthodox seat in Zahle (Bekaa)
  • 1 Armenian Catholic seat in the capital Beirut

Because many Protestants in Lebanon are ethnic Armenians, the sole parliamentary slot for Evangelical (Protestant) community has at times been filled by an Armenian, making for a total of 7 Armenian deputees in the Lebanese Parliament.

Lebanese Armenians have also been represented by at least one government minister in the formations of Lebanese governments. In case of larger governments (with 24 ministers and above) Armenians are traditionally given two Armenian government ministry positions.

The Lebanese-Armenians also have their quota in top-level public positions.

Education

Lebanon boasts having 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 long-running Armenian secondary schools and colleges to mention:

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).

From the defunct Armenian political newspapers besides "Pyunik" in the 1920s, one should mention the independent non-partisan newspaper "Ayk" (after decades of publishing in Armenian, the licence owner Lucie Tosbat sold it "Monday Morning" Publishing Group and "Ayk" started publishing as an English-language daily renamed "Ike" before folding.) "Ayk" daily's Lebanese-Armenian publishers Dikran and Lucie Tosbat also published the French language "Le Soir". Special mention should also be made for the Armenian leftist daily newspaper "Joghovourti Tsayn".

Lebanon has kept throughout a strong tradition in periodicals and weekly newspapers in the Armenian language, so obviously it is impossible to cover all. But from the notable long-running publications, special mention could be made for "Yeridasart Hayouhi" (literary periodical dedicated to women) which was later turned into an independent political biweekly called "Yeridasart Hay", the lifestyle newspaper/magazine "Nor Gyank" (New Life), the Armenian Catholic "Massis", the Armenian Communist "Gantch", AGBU's "Khosnag" and Armenian Evangelical / Youth publication "Badanegan Artsakank", the literary / cultural publications "Pakin" and "Shirak", Homenetmen's sports monthly "Marzig" and the social lifestyle magazine "Tidag".

Radio

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

They were replaced by two operating and fully licenced radio stations operating in Armenian in Lebanon in accordance with the new broadcast laws - "Voice of Van" and "Radio Sevan".

Television

Lebanese private stations and state-owned Tele-Liban have consecrated occasionally television programming in Armenian on certain occasions.

During the Lebanese civil war, an Armenian television station "Paradise Television" co-operated with "Radio Paradise" was established through a broadcast tower in Bourj Hammoud. But "Paradise Television" Armenian television station had to close after it failed to get a broadcasting licence according to the new laws organizing 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

It represents the Armenian Orthodox worldwide alongside the Armenian Apostolic Church in Echmiadzin.

The affairs of the Lebanese Armenian Orthodox population however is run by an independent body, the Armenian Prelacy of Lebanon (Aratchnortaran Hayots Lipanani) with its own Armenian Primate of Lebanon Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian as head.

  • Armenian Catholic Church, has its patriarchate in the Lebanese capital Beirut, and represents Armenian Catholics around the world. Armenian Catholic Church also has its summer residence and its convent in Bzoummar, Lebanon, north of Beirut.
  • Armenian Evangelical Church, headquartered in Ashrafieh. The affairs of the Lebanese Evangelical community is run by the Union of the Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East.

Officially, there are 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.

However sometimes there are variations particularly in case of the Armenian Evangelicals, sometimes registered as just Evangelicals or Protestants without mention of Armenian. There are also some Armenian Catholics who are registered under the denomination Latin, sometimes Armenian Latin.

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 and Scouts Movements

There are three predominantly Armenian sports clubs in Lebanon with a strong tradition in sports as well as scouting. They are

  • Homenetmen Beirut also known as HMEM -- full name Hay Marmnagertagan Enthanour Miyutioun (Armenian General Union of Body Culture)
  • Homenmen Beirut also known as HMM -- full name Hay Marzagan Miyutioun (Armenian Sports Union)
  • Antranik (of the Armenian Youth Association (AYA) of the Armenian General Benevolent Union AGBU)

All of them have various branches distributed in many Lebanese cities throughout the country where there are Lebanese Armenian communities.

There are also many other smaller local Armenian sports clubs as well in various sports.

Soccer

The Armenian clubs Homenetmen and Homenmen have important football (soccer) teams in the official first and second division soccer leagues in Lebanon, although the membership of the teams is not restricted to ethnic Armenians and will usually include other Lebanese non-Armenian players as well as contracted foreign players, including professional players from the Republic of Armenia.

Homenetmen Beirut has won the Lebanese Football Championship titile 7 times in the years: 1944, 1946, 1948, 1951, 1955, 1963 and 1969 and Homenmen Beirut the Championship title 4 times in 1945, 1954, 1957 and 1961. Overall, both clubs feature in the top 5 of most titles in Lebanese football: 1. Al Ansar - 13 titles 2. Homenetmen Beirut - 7 titles 3. Al Nejmeh Beirut - 6 titles 4. Al Nahda - 5 titles 5. Homenmen - 4 titles

Many Lebanese Armenians have played for the Lebanon national football team. From them, we can mention Mardek Chabarian, Wartan Ghazarian.

Basketball

Armenian clubs Antranik and Homenetmen have prominent basketball teams playing in the official first and second division basketball league in Lebanon, although the membership of the teams is mixed and is not restricted to Armenians and will usually include other Lebanese non-Armenian players as well as contracted foreign players.

Many Lebanese Armenian have represented Lebanon in the national team. From them we can mention Vicken Eskedjian and Yervant Avakian. Lebanese national teams have also had coaches and assistant coaches of Armenian origin like Sarkis Kurdjian, Georges Kelzi and Dikran Geokdjian.

In women, the Armenian basketball clubs (Homenetmen and Antranik) are traditionally considered as powerhouses in the sport, and both clubs have won the official Lebanese Basketball Championships women title on several occasions. The Armenian club Antranik's Women Basketball team went on to win the pan-Arab championship titles. Armenian women have had important presence in Lebanese national teams as well, including captain of the team Emma Eskedjian.

Other Sports

The abovementioned Lebanese Armenian clubs also have huge influence on many other sports in Lebanon, but most notably in cycling, table tennis (ping pong) and track and fields.

Individual Armenians have also excelled, most notably in weightlifting, wrestling and martial arts competitions.

Women Sports

Lebanese Armenians also have great influence in women sports in Lebanon, most notably in basketball, cycling and table tennis. The Armenian basketball clubs of Homenetmen and Antranik have won the official Lebanese Basketball Championships on several occasions. The Armenian club Antranik's Women Basketball team went on to win the pan-Arab championship titles.

Scouting

The Lebanese Armenians also have a strong scouting tradition in Lebanon, and many of the Lebanese Armenian sports clubs (Homenetmen, Homenmen) also serve as scouting organizations as well.

Notable Lebanese Armenians

Lebanese have played a majour role in Lebanese politics. Lebanon even had its Armenian governors during the Ottoman rule of Lebanon, most notably Daoud Pasha, the Ottoman Armenian governor of Lebanon, as well as for a short period of time Ohannes Pasha Kouyoumdjian – Ottoman Armenian mutasarrif of Lebanon.

Of the deceased politicians, notable mentions would include Khatchig Babikian, deceased prominent Member of Lebanese Parliament and government Minister on several occasions.

Politics

Arts

Other

References

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

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Armenians_in_Lebanon&oldid=228522411"