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07.11.2011

ARMENIAN COMMUNITY IN BULGARIA

   

Vahram Hovyan

Expert at the Center for the Armenian Studies, “Noravank” Foundation

Number and geographic diversion – The Armenian community in Bulgaria includes representatives of both the traditional Armenian Diaspora – the Armenians who appeared in Bulgaria before and in consequence of the Genocide – and “modern” Diaspora – those who migrated from the Republic of Armenia in consequence of difficult social and economic situation.

The number of the community according to different sources differs. Conventionally those sources can be divided into two groups – official and non-official.

Among the official sources the most reliable one is the National Statistic Institute of Bulgaria. According to its data the Armenian community in Bulgaria numbers 10.832 people1.

According to non-official sources, which are mostly Armenian, the number of the Armenians is incomparably higher – about 50 thousand2.

Such a well-marked difference in numbers is most probably conditioned by the methodology of calculation. The point is that the data submitted by the National Statistic Institute of Bulgaria refers only to those Armenians who are the citizens of Bulgaria. So people without citizenship are considered either as temporary residents or guests. Meanwhile non-official (Armenian) sources also count the Armenians who live in Bulgaria but are not the citizens and who are mainly the representatives of the aforementioned 5th wave migration. This point of view is also substantiated by the fact that according to the Armenian sources the number of the Armenians from Armenian (i.e. those who migrated in 1988-2000s) is about 35 thousand3.

Today most of the Armenians live in Plovdiv, Varna, Sofia, Burgas and Ruse. The diversion of the Armenians here looks as follows (see Table 1).

Table 1
The number of the Armenians and Geographic Diversion in Bulgaria4

The Armenian community in Bulgarian environment – In the course of modern history the life of the Armenian community surrendered to the logic of the social and political changes which took place in that country in the 20th century. They are based on two important events, which first of all divide into periods the history of Bulgaria. Those events are:

  • Establishment of the communist regime in Bulgaria,
  • Fall of the communist regime in Bulgaria.

Those two remarkable events divide into periods the life of the Armenian community either, distinguishing comparative rise (active) and fall (passive) periods which followed each other. Correspondingly, the history of the Armenian community in Bulgaria in the 20th century falls into three stages.

1. Pre-communist period (till 1944) – the period of community life activation and stirring up. Both church and secular organizations spread eager activity. Alongside with the Armenian Apostolic Church the community life is arranged by traditional Armenian parties – ARF (Armenian Revolutionary Federation – Dashnaktsutyun), ASDHP (Armenian Social Democrat Hunchakian Party), RLP (Ramkavar Liberal Party), which had their newspapers. An eager social activity was also spread by the group of the Armenians from the Communist Party of Bulgaria5. Alongside with the partisan press, non-partisan information resources also played an important role in the community life. The life of the community was also stirred up by the activity of many cultural and educational organizations.

2. Communist period (1944 – 1989) – the period of relative decay of the community life. From the establishment of the communist regime in Bulgaria (in 1944) to its fall (in 1989) the authorities of country carried out the policy of repressions in regard to the Armenian community organizations. Traditional Armenian parties and their newspapers were closed. The only working registered Armenian organization over that period was the union of Armenian educational and cultural organizations “Yerevan”. The representatives of many formerly working Armenian organizations, including traditional parties, became its members. The union published “Yerevan” weekly newspaper.

In the dominating atheist atmosphere the Armenian spiritual and church organizations were persecuted.

Nevertheless, despite the restrictions dictated by the regime in the social and religious lives, over that period the Armenian community lived active life, which was provided by the groups of “Yerevan” Union.

3. Contemporary period (since 1989) – the period of the revival of the Armenian community. The revival and stirring up of the Armenian community life was boosted by the following factors:

  • Fall of the communist regime. The liberalization of the social and political atmosphere, as well as overcoming atheist atmosphere, conditioned by the fall of the communist regime in 1989, created favourable conditions for the revival of the community life. Alongside with “Yerevan”, new social, cultural and other organizations were established. All-Armenian organizations restarted their activity in Bulgaria – AGBU (Armenian General Benevolent Organization), ARS (Armenian Relief Society) and Hamazkain Armenian Educational and Cultural Society. The Armenian Apostolic and Armenian Evangelical Churches has revived.
  • New wave of emigration of the Armenians to Bulgaria. The migration of about 35 thousand6 Armenians to Bulgaria over the post-Soviet period gave an impulse to the revival and stirring up of the community life, thus enlarging the Armenian community in that country.
  • Independence of Armenia and establishment of the diplomatic relations between Armenia and Bulgaria. The independence of Armenia in 1991 and establishment of the diplomatic relations between Armenia and Bulgaria in 1992 not only served as a ground for deepening of the Armenian-Bulgarian relations in the economic, cultural and other spheres but also promoted stirring up of the community life in the Armenian community. In this aspect invaluable work is done by the Armenian embassy in Bulgaria; events arranged by it not only contribute to the strengthening of the Armenian-Bulgarian cultural life but they also give considerable impulse to stirring up of the community life of the Armenians in Bulgaria (for detail see below).

Organizational structures – Today the Armenian organizational structures in Bulgaria can be divided into two groups on the assumption of the place of their establishment – the branches of all-national organizations in Bulgaria and organizations established by the Armenian community in Bulgaria.

The branches of all-national organizations – There are branches of four all-national organizations which spread eager activity in public, cultural and other spheres.

  1. Armenian General Benevolent Organization (AGBU) in Sophia, Varna, Plovdiv and Burgas. The branch in Plovdiv has its own sub-branches in Dobrich, Ruse, Silistra, Sliven and Yambol.
  2. Homentmen (Armenian General Union of Physical Culture) in Sofia, Varna, Dobrich, Plovdiv, Ruse, Shumen.
  3. Armenian Relief Society (ARS) in Sophia, Varna and Plovdiv.
  4. Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society in Plovdiv67.

Organizations established by the Armenian community in Bulgaria. Besides the branches of the all-national organizations, there are many local community organizations working in the Armenian community of Bulgaria, which spread eager activity in various areas – public, spiritual and church, educational and cultural and information.

1. In public sphere “The Armenian Community in Bulgaria” organization is spreading its activity. Its office is situated in Sophia and it can be considered as the managing body of the Armenian community. The coordinating council of the Armenian organizations in Sofia and the Union of Armenians in Varna also work in the public sphere.

2. Spiritual and church – The spiritual and church body of the Armenian community is the Diocese Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church in Sofia which includes the heads of 10 Armenian churches and 2 parishes8.

Alongside with the overwhelming majority of the Apostolic Armenians there is a small group of Evangelical Armenians either. They are also spread all-over the population centers of Bulgaria inhabited by the Armenians and have their own spiritual and religious bodies.

3. In the sphere of education and culture eager activity is still spread by “Yerevan” Union – the only organization, which, being established back in 1944, worked throughout the whole communist period (1944-1989). The union which central office is in Sofia has its branches in Blagoevgrad, Varna, Dobrich, Pazajik, Plovdiv, Ruse, Silistra, Stara Zagora, Khaskovo, Shumen and Yambol9.

Besides “Yerevan” Union a remarkable part in the educational and cultural sphere is occupied by “Surb Hovagimian” Armenian School Union (Sophia), “Hay dat” Contemporary Armenian History Club (Sofia), Union of the Armenian Culture and Art (Plovdiv) and Mesrop Mashtots Union (Plovdiv)10.

4. Information sphere – Today the Armenian information resources in Bulgaria are formed by means of four printed and one electronic mass media. The printed mass media are “Yerevan” weekly by “Yerevan” Union (Sophia, since 1944), “Vahan” weekly by Hamazkayin (Plovdiv, since 1991), “Hayer” weekly (Burgas, since 1993) and “Baregocakani dzayn” monthly. As for the electronic resource, it is the official web-site of the Armenian community in Bulgaria (http://armenians.orionbg.net).

Contemporary community life – The activity of the community life is mainly manifested in two fields – cultural and social-political.

  • In cultural field the events organized by the cultural organizations of the Armenians in Bulgaria and embassy of Armenia are mainly directed to increasing the national self-consciousness through the satisfaction of the cultural needs of the Armenians and thus to the setting of the issue of preserving the Armenian identity. In this aspect the exhibition “The Everyday Life and Feasts of the Armenians” (in November)11 and presentation of the Armenian and Bulgarian translations of the Armenian and Bulgarian literature works (“The Participation of the Armenians in the Russian-Turkish War” by Vahagn Kobekian, “God, What a Beautiful World It Is” by Hrant Matevosyan, “Armenian Songs” by Vanya Pekova, “David of Sasun” and “Krali Marco” Bulgarian epos) (in December)12 can be mentioned. Such events on the one hand stir up the life of the Armenian community in Bulgaria, promote the upsurge of the national self-consciousness and preserving of the Armenian language and culture, and on the other hand they become an important instrument for acquainting the foreigners with the Armenians, and in this case promoting deepening of the Armenian-Bulgarian relations.
  • In social and political field the activity of the Armenian community is mainly directed to promoting the resolution of the all-national issues (recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Nagorno-Karabakh issue and other). In this aspect the Armenian community scored some success, particularly in the issue of recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Though the parliament of Bulgaria has not recognized the Genocide yet, but a number of city councils (Sofia, Varna, Burgas and others) and the Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church have already done it (2007) 13.

Integration in the Bulgarian society – The celebrated Armenian figures who have reached a high social position (in culture, economics, politics and etc.) in Bulgaria are the best manifestation of the integration of the Armenian community in the Bulgarian society. Even if there are no other evidences, only the participation of the Armenian company under the command of Andranik and G. Nzhdeh in 1912-1913 Balkan War in Bulgarian army is enough to state the integration of the Armenian community in the Bulgarian society. The Bulgarian society appreciated the contribution of the Armenians in establishment and development of Bulgaria, thus awarding and honoring them. In particular, the commanders of the Armenian company Andranik and Nzhdeh received military ranks, awards and other honors.

On the current stage the Armenian community is also closely integrated into the Bulgarian society. It is manifested in:

  • achievements of the Armenian community in various fields;
  • caring attitude of the Bulgarian authorities and public towards the property of the Armenian community and its historical and cultural heritage;
  • support and participation of the Bulgarian authorities and public in the events organized by the Armenian community

1. The achievements of the Armenian community – The Armenian community achieved success in various fields of the social life of Bulgaria in both individual and collective plains.

In individual plane the achievements of the Armenian community can be observed in the personal success of the Armenians from Bulgaria, which is mainly manifested in occupying rather high social positions in different fields (politics, economics, culture, judicial system and etc.). Among the Armenians who occupy high social position in Bulgaria the followings can be mentioned: Melkon Melkonian (the vice-chairman of the Supreme Court of the country), Hakob Chakrov (honored doctor), writers Sevada Sevan, Hakob Melkonian, architect Levon Filipov, opera director Poghos Afeyan, theatre director Grigor Azarian, composer Haykashot Aghasian, Khacho Boyadjiyev (Director General of the National Television of Bulgaria in 1993), pianist Julia Ganyeva, opera singer Mari Grigorian, Olympic champion, weightlifter Norayr Nurikian and others14.

In collective plane the community achievements are manifested in the ability of community to resolve some problems of social and political character. Particularly, some city councils (Sofia, Varna, Burgas and others) and the Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has recognized the Armenian Genocide and this, in our opinion, could not happen without Armenian lobbyist efforts.

2. Caring attitude of the Bulgarian authorities and public towards the property of the Armenian community and its historical and cultural heritage – The evidence of caring attitude towards the Armenian historical and cultural heritage and property is the measures taken by the Ministry of Culture of Bulgaria directed to the recognition of the Armenian church of the 17th century as a state historical and cultural value15.

3. Support and participation of the Bulgarian authorities and public in the events organized by the Armenian community – Here the events devoted to the 1700th anniversary of adoption of Christianity as a state religion in Armenia (in 2001) arranged in Bulgaria and opening of Zoravar Andranik Square in Varna this year (2011) can be mentioned. In order to organize the ceremony devoted to the 1700th anniversary of adoption of Christianity on a precise level a commission under the patronage of the vice-president of Bulgaria Todor Kavaldziyev was created. It included both the representatives of the Armenian community and Bulgarians16. As for the opening of Zoravar Andranik Square and putting up a monument to him in Varna, this event also was organized under the patronage and with the participation of the city authorities.

In our opinion the high level of integration of the Armenian community is conditioned by the “openness” of the Armenian and Bulgarian people, and particularly Bulgarian society and the Armenian community to each other, which is conditioned by the historical past (both Armenians and Bulgarians were under the rule of the Ottoman Empire and both struggled for their liberation), Christian religion and other commonalities.

1 http://www.nsi.bg/Census/Ethnos.htm

2 Հայ սփյուռք հանրագիտարան, Երևան, 2003թ., էջ 124, Մ.Մալխասյան, Հայերն աշխարհում, Երևան, 2007թ., էջ 22։

3 Հայ սփյուռք հանրագիտարան, էջ 128, Մ.Մալխասյան, նշվ. աշխ., էջ 90։

4 http://www.nsi.bg/Census/Ethnos.htm; Մ.Մալխասյան, նշվ. աշխ., էջ 22, Հայ սփյուռք հանրագիտարան, էջ 128-130։

5 Հայ սփյուռք հանրագիտարան, էջ 134։

6 Մ.Մալխասյան, նշվ. աշխ., էջ 90:

7 http://armenians.orionbg.net/en/index.php

8 Ibid

9 Ibid

10 Ibid

11 Բուլղարիայում բացվել է Յուլյան Անգելովի «Հայերի առօրյան և տոները» լուսանկարչական ցուցահանդեսը, http://news.am/arm/news/37182.html

12 Բուլղարիայում տեղի է ունեցել հայկական գրքերի շնորհանդես, http://www.armar.am/?p=58011

13 Բուլղարիայի Եկեղեցական Սինոդն առաջին անգամ ցեղասպանություն անվանեց 1915 թվականի իրադարձությունները, http://www.panarmenian.net/arm/world/news/24214/

14 Հայերը Բուլղարիայում, http://www.hayernaysor.am/newsday.php?p=0&c=0&t=0&r=0&year=2009&month=07&day=22&shownews=2333&LangID=4

15 Բուլղարիայում 17-րդ դարի հայկական եկեղեցի է հայտնաբերվել, «Ազգ», № 234, 22.12.2009

16 See: http://armenians.orionbg.net/en/index.php

«Globus National Security», Issue 5, 2011

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