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Armenians in Georgia are ethnic Armenians living within the country of Georgia. Armenians are the largest ethnic minority in Georgia at about 6% of the population. The Armenian community is mostly concentrated in the capital Tbilisi and the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, which borders Armenia to the south. Armenians form the majority in this region, making up about 54% of the population.[1]
History
In the 18th and 19th centuries, rich Armenian merchants, including famous jewelers and oil industrialists invested heavily in business in Georgia and helped build cultural centers and schools. The number of Armenians increased progressively such that by the early 19th century, the Armenians far outnumbered Georgians in the capital. In Tbilisi, Armenians will show many architectural pearls constructed by prominent Armenian architects of the last centuries.
There are many mansions that were built by influential Armenians and comprise some of the most attractive historical buildings in Tbilisi.
Education and Integration into Georgian society
Capital Tbilisi has three strictly Armenian schools. There are also five Armenian-Russian and Armenian-Georgian schools. All of them teach Armenian language and literature in addition to the official curriculum. But a common complaint is that Armenian History hours are not included. The Armenian Government sends thousands of textbooks in Armenian to the schools. But still, the schools have a deficit of books, furniture, and all need urgent renovation. Annually around 50 Armenian students of Georgian nationality enter Armenian universities
One of the biggest problems of the Armenians in Georgia is the is the inability to use their language in public life. The government’s new language policies are a source of strong resentment and it is accused of abolishing minorities’ former rights to use Armenian or Russian and thus limiting access to jobs and education.[2] President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan has urged ethnic Armenians to learn the Georgian language, which he said is essential for their integration into the Georgian society.[3]
Armenians in this region of Georgia should think about learning Georgian instead of how they could replace it with Armenian. Without the knowledge of Georgian Armenians in Georgia will not be able to seek senior and high government position and can not run successful businesses.
Samtskhe-Javakheti
The ethnic Armenians form the majority of the population in the region of Samtskhe-Javakheti (Javakhk in Armenian). The local Armenian United Javakhk Democratic Alliance has proposed a local autonomy for Javakheti within Georgia.
The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and South Caucasus natural gas pipeline which passed through the region, has met opposition from local Armenians, as well as the planned Kars-Akhalkalaki-Baku railway as it isolates Armenia.
Anti-Armenianism
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Some Armenians believe they are victims of a policy to shift the Samtskhe-Javakheti region’s demographic balance as a number of Georgian families were settled there.[2]. Armenians are also underrepresented in the government (holding 5 seats in the 235-member Parliament[2], for example), leading to the perception of discrimination and mutual distrust [4]. There were several protests, some of which turned violent after clashes with law enforcement agents.[2]. The Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia also has a significant population of Armenians, where they make up roughly 20% of the population.[5] However, the de facto Abkhaz authorities have been accused by local Armenian NGOs of intentionally decreasing the number of Abkhazian-Armenians.[6]
Architecture
Armenians left rich architectural imprint in Georgia, especially in Tbilisi, which was at a time a center of Armenian culture. On the main avenue in Tbilisi - Rustaveli Avenue, there is a building of a wealthy Armenian Melik-Azaryants.
See also
References
- ^ 2002 Georgia census results
- ^ a b c d Georgia’s Armenian and Azeri Minorities, 22 November 2006 (free registration needed to view the full report)
- ^ Armenia: Kocharian urges Armenians in Georgia to learn Georgian. Caucaz Europenews. May 1, 2007.
- ^ Reuters AlertNet - Georgia’s Armenian and Azeri Minorities
- ^ 2003 Census statistics Template:Ru icon
- ^ The authorities in Abkhazia intentionally decrease the number of Armenians. Public Radio of Armenia. February 2, 2006.
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