Slovakia

The Armenian Community in the Slovak Republic

The first Armenians moved to the current territory of the Slovak Republic in the middle of the 17th century from Bessarabia. They were mainly engaged in trade. Afterwards they have been assimilated with the locals.

The current Armenian Community formed after the collapse of the USSR and is composed of the immigrants from the former Soviet republics. There is no exact information about the number of Armenians living in Slovakia. According to the data provided by the Armenian Apostolic church, the number of Armenians is from 800 to 1000, and according to some members of the community even less. The larger number of Armenians is in the capital city of Bratislava and its vicinities. Considerable amount of Armenians are also residing in the second largest city of Košice.

The following Armenian organizations active in the Slovak Republic:

• The Armenian Apostolic Church. The spiritual leader is pastor Barsegh Pilavchyan. The religious ceremonies are served in St. Katarina Chapel in Bratislava. In 2013, the chapel has been handed over by the Roman Catholic Church of Slovakia to Mr. Ashot Grigoryan, Head of the Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe and “Armenian Community of Slovakia” NGO. The Chapel has not been consecrated yet as an Armenian church.

• “The Armenian Community of Slovakia” NGO and Forum of Armenian Associations of Europe (FAAE). The Chairman is Mr. Ashot Grigorian. The Forum had a considerable input in the adoption by the National Council of Slovakia on 30 November, 2004 of the resolution on recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide. Moreover, according to some sources the Organization had a role in the process of incorporation of the relevant articles on the criminalization of the Genocide denial into the Criminal Code of the Slovak Republic.

The process of establishing of the Armenian Saturday/Sunday school so far had no success due to the organizational reasons.

The Armenians in Slovakia are mostly engaged in construction, catering and food industries, trade and service sectors. There are also painters, artists, musicians, lawyers, jewelers, athletes, students and entrepreneurs. Our fellow Armenians also work in governmental institutions.

There are two Armenian Khachkars (cross-stones) raised in Slovakia:

- In Bratislava, the Khachkar was raised in 2005 by the "Nig-Aparan" patriotic union, and is dedicated to the adoption of the Resolution on recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide by the National Council of the Slovak Republic on November 30, 2004.

- In Košice, the Khachkar was raised in December 2015 and is dedicated to the Armenian Genocide Centennial.

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