Dnipropetrovsk Armenians have written the community’s history

Book The Armenians of Dnipropetrovsk Region: Past and Present has been published in Dnipropetrovsk. This is the first publication of a series on the ethnic minorities’ experiences in the region. Chairman of the regional state administration Oleksandr Vilkul suggested the idea of the project in 2011, as a part of celebrating 80th anniversary of the region’s establishment. A total of 1,000 copies of the over 100 pages long book on the Armenians have been published. It reflects the historical development and successes of the more than 10,000-strong Armenian community. A separate chapter is devoted to the life and work of the prominent Armenians who have made significant contributions to the development of Dnipropetrovsk region, as well as to the places of memory, that is, memorials, buildings, churches and other Armenian culture sites. The prominent local Armenians include Academician Vsevolod Lazarian who Dnipropetrovsk National University of Railway Transportation is named after, and deputy chief engineer of Pivdenmash industrial concern Luka Yahdzhiiev. Gurgen Karapetian served as conductor at the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Philharmonic Hall for many years. Sculptor Garnik Khachatrian created a lot of the region’s landmarks, including monument to the victims of political repressions and the Great Famine. Multiple Paralympics prize winner Olena Akopian has brought glory to the region by her achievements in sports. Finally, famous actor of Armenian descent Rodion Nakhapetov is a native of Dnipropetrovsk region, too.

The Armenians of Dnipropetrovsk Region: Past and Present traces the centuries-old history of Armenian-Ukrainian relations. Armenian merchants’ arrival to the Byzantine cities of the northern Black Sea coast was their first appearance in the territory that is now Ukrainian. Armenian districts existed in many cities of Kyivan Rus’. Armenians have settled in Katerynoslav, later renamed Dnipropetrovsk, almost at the time of the city’s founding, as evidenced by the documents that well-known historian Academician Yavornytsky had found. One of the book’s compilers, journalist Serhii Allakhverdian said at the presentation that he had discovered some interesting facts in the history of both peoples when doing his work. These included the fact that the liberation of Ukraine during World War II involved many people from Armenia. Eight Armenians were awarded the Star of Hero of the Soviet Union for the Dnipro crossing battle alone. Nearly 60 percent of Armenian refugees settled in Dnipropetrovsk region, which has become their second home, years later, during the collapse of the Soviet Union and inter-ethnic conflict in Karabakh. The local community is trying to preserve its traditions and building the Armenian church in the city’s center. The chairman of the regional state administration said two more books would be published in 2012. They will be devoted to the Jewish and Azerbaijani ethnic communities. It is projected that similar publications will cover the history and culture of all ethnic groups that inhabit Dnipropetrovsk region.