Syrian Armenians - Organizations

Organizations

The majority of Armenian organizations are based in the city of Aleppo, acting in the form of cultural, sport, youth or charitable associations:

Cultural associations based in Aleppo:

• Gertasirats Cultural Association (1924)
• Kermanig-Vasbouragan Cultural Association (1928)
• Hamazkayin Cultural and Educational Association (1930)
• Armenian Youth Association (1932)
• Tekeyan Armenian Cultural Association (1955)
• National Cultural Association (1955)
• The Revival of Urfa Cultural Association (1957)
• Nor Serount Cultural Association (1958)
• Cilician Cultural Association (1964)
• Syrian Youth Association (1978)

Charitable associations based in Aleppo:

• Armenian General Benevolent Union (1910)
• Armenian Syrian Red Cross Association (1919)
• National Orphanage (1920)
• Armenian Old Age Home (1923)
• Howard Karageozian Commemorative Corporation (1941)
• Jinishian Memorial Foundation (1966)
• Social Service Consultation of the Diocese of Beroea (1993)

Sports associations based in Aleppo:

• Armenian Sports Union, known as Homenmen sports and scouting organization established in Aleppo in 1921.
• Ararat Sports Union, founded in 1923, represented to the Syrian General Sports Federation under the name Orouba SC Aleppo.
• Armenian General Athletic Union, known as Homentmen sports and scouting organization, established in Istanbul in 1918 and opened branches in Syria in 1925, represented to the Syrian General Sports Federation under the name Al-Yarmouk SC Aleppo.

Students associations based in Aleppo:

• Karen Jeppe College Graduates Union (1947)
• Syrian-Armenian University Students Union (S.H.M., est. 1968).
• Graduates Union of Higher Institutions of Armenia (1982).
• Syrian Universities' Armenian Graduates Union (S.H.Sh.H.M, est. 1985).
• Dkhrouny Students-Youth Association (1969) of the Hunchakian party.
• Christapor Students Union (2001) of the Dashnak party.

Most associations have their branches in many other Syrian cities: Al-Qamishli, Damascus, Lattakia, Kesab, etc.

The Armenians of Aleppo have also formed compatriotic unions based on their roots, named after towns and villages where their ancestors have migrated from, during the Armenian Genocide. Nowadays, there are 11 compatriotic organizations operating in Aleppo: Dikranagerd, Daron-Duruperan, Marash, Urfa women's, Urfa youth, Palu, Zeitun, Kilis, Berejik, Musa Ler and Garmouj compatriotic unions.

Other community structures in Aleppo:

• Avetis Aharonian theatre hall of the National Prelacy, opened in 1959, renovated and renamed in 1989 (450 seats).
• Zavarian theatre hall of the National Prelacy opened in 1965, renovated in 2002 (350 seats).
• Kevork Nazarian theatre hall of AGBU, renovated and renamed in mid-1990s (550 seats).
• Zohrab Kaprielian theatre hall of Gertasirats Cultural Association, opened in 1973, renovated and renamed in 1999 (600 seats).
• Kevork Yesayan theatre hall of the National Prelacy, opened in 2005 (700 seats).
• Zarehian Treasury, currently occupies the building of former Surp Asdvadzadzin Armenian Apostolic church in the courtyard of the Forty Martyrs church. More than 650 valuable pieces are exhibited in the museum.
• The National Cemetery, opened in 1927 on a state-owned piece of land. It became the property of the prelacy after the independence of Syria in 1946. The chapel of Surp Hripsimé stands at the centre of the cemetery since 1970.