Even though on a political level Armenia and Mexico were only able to establish relations shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union (a month later, to be more precise). An Armenian community has been present in the Latin American country some centuries earlier.
A Small Armenian Community
In comparison with other minorities (400–500 people), the Armenian community is rather small. The first Armenian to arrive in Mexico, based on the earliest known record from 1632, mentions a man by the name of Francisco Martín. Later on, in 1723, an Armenian called Don Pedro de Zárate arrived in Mexico on a Spanish galleon from China to Acapulco.
The majority of the Armenian population arrived in Mexico between 1910–1928, from which the majority was escaping the Armenian Genocide of 1915 at the hands of the Ottoman Turks. However, only a small percentage of the arrivals stayed in Mexico, since the largest part of those Armenians traveled north towards the United States of America.
A Gift From The Armenian Community: The Water Clock
Even though Armenians are in a small number, the community seems to be a productive one, as it includes actresses and actors, writers, singers, scientists, politicians (such as the former ambassador to the USA), and even a general (Jacobo Harrotian) who participated in the Mexican Revolution of 1910-1920.
In 1930, the Armenian community of Mexico donated the Water Clock that still stands today in Parque Mexico, Mexico City. So if you happen to visit, there’s a fun fact for you! A plaque commemorating the centennial of the Armenian Genocide was added to it more recently.
Written by,
Hovik Torkomyan, BComn
References:
- Los armenios y el lobby azerí en México (in Spanish)Archived March 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine.
- Armenians in 1930’s Mexico City and April 24th Commemorations.
- La diáspora armenia en México (in Spanish).
- “Arturo Sarukhan Casamitjana”. The Washington Diplomat. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
- MAURICIO OCHMANN. Website Oficial
- Ahronian, Jeff (1992-05-04). “Bulbulian still seeking knowledge” (PDF). Hye Sharzhoom. California State University, Fresno. p. 4. Retrieved 2014-12-01.
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- Ayvazyan, Hovhannes (2003). Հայ Սփյուռք հանրագիտարան [Encyclopedia of Armenian Diaspora] (in Armenian). 1. Yerevan: Armenian Encyclopedia publishing. ISBN 5-89700-020-4.