Armenians in Spain

Armenians in Spain (Armenian: Հայերն Իսպանիայում, romanized: Hayern Ispaniayum; Spanish: Armenios en España) refers to ethnic Armenians living in Spain. They number around 40,000, centred in Valencia, Barcelona, and Madrid.[1] Spain was the fourth most popular country of destination for emigrating Armenians in 2011.[2]

Armenian Genocide memorial, Arnedo
Armenians in Spain
Total population
40,000
Regions with significant populations
Valencia (14,000)
Barcelona (12,000)
Madrid (8,000)
Languages
Armenian, Spanish
Religion
Majority Armenian Apostolic Church
Armenian Catholic · Armenian Evangelical
Related ethnic groups
Armenian, Hamshenis, Cherkesogai groups

Before 2009 There were no Armenian churches in Spain,[1] until one was opened in a small town near Barcelona in August that year.[3] Most Armenians in Spain belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church.[3] The number of Armenian Sunday schools in Spain is on the rise.[1]

Most Armenians speak Armenian and Spanish.[1] Much emigration from Armenia following dissolution of the Soviet Union has been directed to the EU, including Spain, along with Russia and the United States.[2]

History

Even if the presence of individual Armenians in the territory of current-day Spain dates back at least to the Middle Ages, their number increased in the early modern period, settling from the 16th century on in main trading cities such as Seville or Cádiz, attracted to the increasing commercial activity in the realms of the Hispanic Monarchy, playing an important role in the Persian silk trade.[4] Despite an early social and commercial success, their reputation deteriorated in the 17th century for a number of reasons, including the preponderance over the import of cheap fabrics exerted by Armenian merchants, the strife of Spanish Crown-funded Franciscans against other Christian groups for control over the Holy Places, and some got likewise to the point of accusing local Armenians of covert allegiances to the Sublime Porte.[5]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Armenian Diaspora in Spain". Embassy of Armenia to Spain. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia. Archived from the original on 31 March 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  2. "Migration Facts: Armenia" (PDF). Migration Policy Centre. March 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  3. "SOAR-Barcelona". Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  4. Martín Corrales, Eloy (2009). "Cristianos orientales en Andalucía en la Edad Moderna" (PDF). In Bravo Caro, Juan Jesús; San Sampelayo, Juan (eds.). Población y grupos sociales en el Antiguo Régimen. Vol. II. Málaga: Área de Historia Moderna de la Universidad de Málaga. p. 977. ISBN 978-84-931692-8-2.
  5. Martín Corrales 2009, pp. 978–981.


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