Katalin Novák Welcomes Armenian President in Budapest

Fact

Armenians have lived in the current and historical (mainly in Transylvania) territory of Hungary, since the Middle Ages. The arrival of the community is traditionally dated to 1672, when they were granted settlement permits and privileges by Transylvanian Prince Mihály Apafi. Starting from the mid-1700s, some Armenians were able to purchase titles of nobility, leading to increased assimilation. By the 19th century, the wealthier Armenian class, primarily involved in trade, had established itself as a significant intellectual presence in the country. Armenians also participated in the War of Independence in 1848-49. Following the genocide by the Turkish in 1915, a significant number of Armenians fled to Hungary, though the community faced impoverishment and loss of lands after World War I. Under the communist regime, the Armenian community in Hungary maintained links with Soviet Armenians. Representation for the Armenian minority in Hungary dates back to 1920. The National Armenian Self-Government was established in 1995. According to the latest census data, the Armenian minority in Hungary consists of around 1,200 people.