Armenian Community In Mexico

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.

File:Niños armenio-mexicanos 1911.jpg
Armenian Mexican childeren: Luz, Víctor Manuel, Guadalupe y María Teresa (circa 1911).

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.

Armenian immigration estimated by periods in France, USA, Uruguay, Argentina, and Mexico.
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.

General Jacobo Harrotian.

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.

The Water Clock, donated to México, DF by the Armenian Community. Parque Mexico, Mexico City.
Plaque commemorating the centennial of the Armenian Genocide in Mexico City.

Written by,

Hovik Torkomyan, BComn


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