As part of the project, around 50 former and current Armenian Streets were identified worldwide. These streets were/are called as such due to the presence of strong local Armenian communities. The list includes streets that are called Armenia because, due to linguistic and cultural specificities, certain countries such as France prefer geographical associations to ethnic and national connections. The list excludes, however, streets that have been named Armenian or Armenia purely on the basis of diplomatic formalities or other considerations unrelated to the presence of a local Armenian community.
Four streets were randomly selected for the presentation here:
1.
Armenia Street, Porto, Portugal. Armenian refugees used to live on the street and its surrounding area. They arrived in Porto from Constantinople in the 2nd half of the 15th century. They fled the city when it fell to the Ottoman forces in 1453 (so they were not associated with the "new" and powerful Armenian community that was formed later, under Ottoman rule). The Armenian community of Porto gradually assimilated into the local population and disappeared.
2.
The Armenian Street in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. “Lebuh Armenian” was the Armenian quarter of this international trade port and cosmopolitan city during the 17th – 19th centuries. Armenians gradually left the city in the early 20th century. Built in 1822, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic Church of George Town was demolished in 1937 for unknown reasons. Armenian Street is now known for its exquisite street art and heritage buildings.
3.
Armenia Street, Cordoba, Argentina. Situated in Pueyrredon, a calm residential neighborhood, the street hosts several Armenian institutions including Sahak and Mesrob School, the local chapter of the Armenian General Benevolent Association and Surb Guevorg/Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church. The Armenian community of Cordoba was formed in the early 1920s. They were predominantly Genocide survivors and deportees.
4.
The Armenian Street in Saratov, Saratov Region/Oblast, the Russian Federation. Armenian merchants from Persia/Iran settled on and around the street in the 2nd half of the 19th century. No Armenian church was erected here. It is unclear what happened to the community after the Bolshevik Revolution but the street was renamed Volga in the early 1940s. Some of the merchant houses still stand today. The postcards are dated 1909-1910.
