Armenian contribution to Ukraine…

During the Middle Ages, Armenia was the scene of bloody wars and devastating invasions. It explains the massive resettlement of Armenians in the south of Russia, Ukraine, the Crimea, in Galicia. The flow of immigrants especially increased after mongol invasion (XIII cent.) and then, wars of Turkmen tribes (XIV century).. During the period from XIII to XVIII century. in the lands of Western Ukrain more than 30 Armenian settlements appeared. The bulk of immigrants were merchants and craftsmen who settled in the trade and craft centers – in Lvov, Kamenetz-Podolsk, Vladimir and Galich, Jaroslaw, etc. In all these cities, Armenians established their communities, which were given the right to self-governance by Polish kings, who were interested in developing trade and industry. Armenian colony of the city of Lviv was especially large and rich. It was lying at the crossroads of important trade routes that linked the East with the West. Armenians lived here in separate quarter, known as the Armenian Street. Kiev also became the most important cultural center of Armenians who have settled in the lands of Western Ukraine. Here Armenian churches, monasteries, hospitals, schools, library, printing house were built. In Lviv were born many Armenian scientists, writers, painters and musicians.
In Galicia, Armenians appeared in X-XI century, although according one of the versions they were invited by King Danylo Romanovich of Galicia in the middle of the XIII century. Most likely, that the Armenian settlements in Galicia existed in the X century, and Armenians as skilled builders and craftsmen were invited by King Danylo to participate in the foundation of a new city. Armenian settlement established in the central part of the city (Armenian Quarter). Galician dukes already in XI-XIII centuries provided Armenians with privileged right to settle in Galicia, form the autonomous national community and have their own faith. But the Polish Crown pursued a policy of “polishization” of people, inhabited Galicia. Therefore, the names of the Lviv Armenians have Polish sound. To the national Armenian surnames suffix -ovich,-vich added. For example, Torosyan became Torosovich or Torosevich, Simonyan – Simonovic, Stepanosyan – Stefanovic, Abgarian – Abgarovich etc. By the way, the name known in Galicia as Avgustinovich was formed in this way too, it belonged to the descendants of the Armenian royal and princely family of Atabekovs (Atabekians).
The following historical fact shows the contribution of the Armenian community in the life and fate of Lviv: in 1672 the Turks conquered the city. To negotiate with them the delegation was sent. The delegation, was necessarily included Armenians, due to established tradition, as they were masters of diplomacy and foreign languages experts. The delegation managed to convince the Turks not to seize the city by storm. However, in return the invaders demanded 80 thousand gold ducats and nine hostages from the most affluent citizens. Armenians Rafael Bernatowicz and Gakob (Jacob) Yaskevich voluntarily agreed to become hostages. This is the example of the deep patriotism, responsibility, high moral qualities and principles of these people. History tells, that Raphael Bernatowicz returned from the Turkish yoke with poor health and died in Lvov in 1677.
Speaking of famous public figures, who made a notable contribution to the development of Lviv, it is to be mention: Bartholomew Zimorovich (1597-1677) – Lviv mayor; Joseph Yaskevich (1719-1794) – Secretary of King Stanislaw August Poniatowski, the adviser magistrate and mayor of Lviv; Jacob Theodore Bernatowicz (1713-1789.) – Chairman of the Armenian Court of Lviv, mayor; Godzimir Malakhovsky – Nalevich (1852-1908) – lawyer, mayor of Lviv in years 1897-1905;
Theodore Torosevich (1789-1876) scientist – pharmacist, member of several Galician and foreign scientific societies, the discoverer of the mineral springs Morshyn, Truskavets Nemirov Drohobycz, Great Lubenia etc,; Piotr Baronch (1814-1892) – Professor of Lviv University, historian; Marian Florian Ogonchik-Zakshevski (1803-1831) – MD, a psychiatrist, pharmacist, researcher of mineral water “Naftusya”, founder of the resort “Shklo”; Kshishtofovich Simon and Theodore Gakob Minasovich (first half of the XVIII.) – doctors of philosophy and medicine; Roman Baronch (1856-1930) – doctor of medicine, famous surgeon, Professor of Lviv University; Julian Aktavian Zakharevich (1837-1898) Professor of Architecture of Lviv Polytechnic Institute, by his projects the main building of this educational institution and a large number of Lviv buildings were built, which are now considered as pride of the city; Karapet Keuprilyan (XX century). – scientist-philologist, teacher of Armenian language of Lviv University; Marian Tirovich (1901 -1990) – historian, author of many works on the history of Galicia XIX century. and about four thousand biographies of famous people.
Ignacy Lukasiewicz (1822-1882) – The inventor of the kerosene lamp. So far, in different cities of Poland there are museum, monument, commemorative plaques, medals and books dedicated to his memory.
Important contribution made by Armenians in arts. The pianist, teacher, composer and beloved pupil of Chopin, one of the founders of Galich Music Society, and so far the conservatory, Karol Mikul (Michaelian) (1819-1897) was of Armenian origin.
The founder of the “Union of Lviv graphic artists “(1932) and a founding member of Lviv avantgarde artists “Artes” – Ludwik Tirovich – Junior (1901-1958).
In the Lviv Art Gallery works of Armenian artists are stored. For example paintings of Yuri Simonovits (about 1660-1711), Jan Rustem (1762-1835), Rafela Gadzevich (1803-1886), Alexander Avgustinovich (1856-1944), Henrik Rodakovsky (1823-1894) Cayetano Stefanovic (1858-1920), Ludwik Tirovich (Junior) (1861-1930) and many others.
This list of prominent persons can be continued…

During the Middle Ages, Armenia was the scene of bloody wars and devastating invasions. It explains the massive resettlement of Armenians in the south of Russia, Ukraine, the Crimea, in Galicia. The flow of immigrants especially increased after mongol invasion (XIII cent.) and then, wars of Turkmen tribes (XIV century).. During the period from XIII to XVIII century. in the lands of Western Ukrain more than 30 Armenian settlements appeared. The bulk of immigrants were merchants and craftsmen who settled in the trade and craft centers – in Lvov, Kamenetz-Podolsk, Vladimir and Galich, Jaroslaw, etc. In all these cities, Armenians established their communities, which were given the right to self-governance by Polish kings, who were interested in developing trade and industry. Armenian colony of the city of Lviv was especially large and rich. It was lying at the crossroads of important trade routes that linked the East with the West. Armenians lived here in separate quarter, known as the Armenian Street. Kiev also became the most important cultural center of Armenians who have settled in the lands of Western Ukraine. Here Armenian churches, monasteries, hospitals, schools, library, printing house were built. In Lviv were born many Armenian scientists, writers, painters and musicians. In Galicia, Armenians appeared in X-XI century, although according one of the versions they were invited by King Danylo Romanovich of Galicia in the middle of the XIII century. Most likely, that the Armenian settlements in Galicia existed in the X century, and Armenians as skilled builders and craftsmen were invited by King Danylo to participate in the foundation of a new city. Armenian settlement established in the central part of the city (Armenian Quarter). Galician dukes already in XI-XIII centuries provided Armenians with privileged right to settle in Galicia, form the autonomous national community and have their own faith. But the Polish Crown pursued a policy of “polishization” of people, inhabited Galicia. Therefore, the names of the Lviv Armenians have Polish sound. To the national Armenian surnames suffix -ovich,-vich added. For example, Torosyan became Torosovich or Torosevich, Simonyan – Simonovic, Stepanosyan – Stefanovic, Abgarian – Abgarovich etc. By the way, the name known in Galicia as Avgustinovich was formed in this way too, it belonged to the descendants of the Armenian royal and princely family of Atabekovs (Atabekians).
The following historical fact shows the contribution of the Armenian community in the life and fate of Lviv: in 1672 the Turks conquered the city. To negotiate with them the delegation was sent. The delegation, was necessarily included Armenians, due to established tradition, as they were masters of diplomacy and foreign languages experts. The delegation managed to convince the Turks not to seize the city by storm. However, in return the invaders demanded 80 thousand gold ducats and nine hostages from the most affluent citizens. Armenians Rafael Bernatowicz and Gakob (Jacob) Yaskevich voluntarily agreed to become hostages. This is the example of the deep patriotism, responsibility, high moral qualities and principles of these people. History tells, that Raphael Bernatowicz returned from the Turkish yoke with poor health and died in Lvov in 1677.
Speaking of famous public figures, who made a notable contribution to the development of Lviv, it is to be mention: Bartholomew Zimorovich (1597-1677) – Lviv mayor; Joseph Yaskevich (1719-1794) – Secretary of King Stanislaw August Poniatowski, the adviser magistrate and mayor of Lviv; Jacob Theodore Bernatowicz (1713-1789.) – Chairman of the Armenian Court of Lviv, mayor; Godzimir Malakhovsky – Nalevich (1852-1908) – lawyer, mayor of Lviv in years 1897-1905;Theodore Torosevich (1789-1876) scientist – pharmacist, member of several Galician and foreign scientific societies, the discoverer of the mineral springs Morshyn, Truskavets Nemirov Drohobycz, Great Lubenia etc,; Piotr Baronch (1814-1892) – Professor of Lviv University, historian; Marian Florian Ogonchik-Zakshevski (1803-1831) – MD, a psychiatrist, pharmacist, researcher of mineral water “Naftusya”, founder of the resort “Shklo”; Kshishtofovich Simon and Theodore Gakob Minasovich (first half of the XVIII.) – doctors of philosophy and medicine; Roman Baronch (1856-1930) – doctor of medicine, famous surgeon, Professor of Lviv University; Julian Aktavian Zakharevich (1837-1898) Professor of Architecture of Lviv Polytechnic Institute, by his projects the main building of this educational institution and a large number of Lviv buildings were built, which are now considered as pride of the city; Karapet Keuprilyan (XX century). – scientist-philologist, teacher of Armenian language of Lviv University; Marian Tirovich (1901 -1990) – historian, author of many works on the history of Galicia XIX century. and about four thousand biographies of famous people. Ignacy Lukasiewicz (1822-1882) – The inventor of the kerosene lamp. So far, in different cities of Poland there are museum, monument, commemorative plaques, medals and books dedicated to his memory.Important contribution made by Armenians in arts. The pianist, teacher, composer and beloved pupil of Chopin, one of the founders of Galich Music Society, and so far the conservatory, Karol Mikul (Michaelian) (1819-1897) was of Armenian origin. The founder of the “Union of Lviv graphic artists “(1932) and a founding member of Lviv avantgarde artists “Artes” – Ludwik Tirovich – Junior (1901-1958).
In the Lviv Art Gallery works of Armenian artists are stored. For example paintings of Yuri Simonovits (about 1660-1711), Jan Rustem (1762-1835), Rafela Gadzevich (1803-1886), Alexander Avgustinovich (1856-1944), Henrik Rodakovsky (1823-1894) Cayetano Stefanovic (1858-1920), Ludwik Tirovich (Junior) (1861-1930) and many others.This list of prominent persons can be continued…