Armenians in Hungary


Armenians in Hungary are ethnic Armenians living in the modern Hungary.

History

The first Armenians to reach Hungary presumably came from the Balkans in the 10–11th century. Armenians were present from early on in Hungary, clearly attested in a document issued by Hungarian King Ladislaus IV the Cuman. Here, they were even allowed to found their own trading towns, the most notable one being Szamosújvár called Armenopolis/Armenierstadt or Hayakaghak.

Present day

Most modern Armenians in Hungary have immigrated to the country after the dissolution of the USSR. Estimates of Armenians in Hungary range from 3,500 to 30,000 living in the nation today, making up roughly 0.01% of the population. Approximately, two thirds of Hungary's Armenians population is found in Budapest and the surrounding Pest county. Armenians in Hungary have established 31 "self-governments" and roughly half of them speak Armenian as their mother tongue. The Armenian Catholic Priesthood has existed in Hungary since 1924 and hosts a number of cultural programs, as does the Armenian Cultural and Information Centre in Budapest.

Notable Hungarians of Armenian heritage