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Armenians in Uruguay number around 19,000. The Armenian community in Uruguay is one of the oldest in South America. Most live in the capital Montevideo.
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History
Being one of the Armenian diaspora's smaller communities, Armenians in Uruguay are concentrated mostly in the capital city. Many of the Armenians are third or even fourth-generation descendants of the first wave of immigrants coming from the Ottoman Empire between the end of the 19th century and the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) established a chapter in Uruguay in 1939 and inaugurated a community center complex in 1953. Recognition of the Armenian Genocide by various world parliaments was spearheaded by Uruguay's Parliament, when in 1965 it became the first country in the world to recognize the Armenian Genocide. The Parliament has subsequently consistently supported various resolutions in favor of the Armenians.
Community
Between 1974 and 1975, the AGBU Uruguay Chapter established an educational center which was completed in two phases: first to be completed was the Nubarian Elementary School in honor of the founder of AGBU, Boghos Nubar; then came the Alex Manoogian High School, named after the then AGBU President.
The Armenians are very active in the arts. Alvaro Hagopian is the conductor of the Montevideo Philharmonic Orchestra. Also operating are Cordoba Dance Group "Ararat" (AGBU) and the Armenian National Center "Gayane" Dance Group (of Uruguay's Armenian National Center).
There is a long-running radio station "Radio Armenia" broadcasting from Montevideo heard across Uruguay, Argentina to the Armenian community of Buenos Aires and into southern Brazil.
Montevideo has a public square named Armenia. The Uruguayan Government also has a minister (and former member of Parliament) of Armenian origin, Liliam Kechichian.
Religion
Most Armenians belong to the Armenian Apostolic Church. The main center is the Armenian Church of Montevideo, Uruguay (Spanish: Iglesia Armenia del Uruguay). The church also has a memorial statue by sculptor Nerses Ounanian, dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide.
There is also a significant presence of Armenian Catholics and Armenian Evangelicals.
The main Armenian places of worship in Montevideo are: