2,700 ARMENIANS LIVE IN CYPRUS
Armenpress
Nov 21 2006
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS: Armenia and Cyprus established
diplomatic relations in 1992, March, however, first Armenians
established in Cyprus in the IV-V centuries. One of rulers of the
island in the 9-10th centuries was an Armenian.
Though Armenians have lived in Cyprus for centuries, the present
community on the island is mainly the result of immigration
during and immediately after the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23 in
Turkey. Currently, some 2700 Armenians live in Cyprus, mainly in
Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol.
With the 1974 Turkish invasion and subsequent partitioning of the
island, the Armenian community lost significant properties, such as
the Makaravank and Kantsvor monasteries, a primary school and church
in Nicosia, and several other vital sites and assets.
The invasion also forced many Armenians to emigrate to Great Britain,
Australia and Canada. Armenians in Cyprus are mainly craftsmen, running
small and medium businesses, traders and government officials. The
community is governed by the leaders of the Armenian Church Diocese
and the National Council.
The Armenian language has always played a pivotal role in the
preservation of the Armenian national identity. For this reason,
organized Armenian communities in Cyprus always had their own
Armenian-language newspapers. Currently three newspapers are published
by the community and all major Armenian Diaspora organizations have
their branches in Cyprus.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
