Singapore is a city-state located on one of the islands of Southeast Asia with a population of 5 million.

Singapore is one of the so-called “top four Asian tigers” and is considered one of the world’s wealthiest and most developed countries.

Armenians settled in Singapore in the late 18^th century and were mainly from Malaysia, India and New Julfa. The second wave of immigration to Singapore brought a small group of Armenians from Persia and Calcutta, while the third wave brought Armenians from Isfahan in the early 20^th century.

In spite of having a small community, the Armenians were able to leave a big trace and are remembered well in the history of Singapore.

NEWS.am’s correspondent sat down for an interview with director of the high school of the Chinese International School of Singapore Vahagn Vardanyan to discuss the lives and activities of Singaporean-Armenians.

NEWS.am: Armenians usually adapt to host countries quickly and successfully. What would you say about that?

Vahagn Vardanyan: If you bear a certain culture, you are also responsible to a certain extent. After all, your ancestors tried to preserve that culture and language through bloodshed. Do you really have the right to lose it? When you become fully assimilated, you relieve yourself of that responsibility.

NEWS.am: How many Armenians live in Singapore? Are they mainly pure Armenians, or are there Armenians born from mixed marriages?

V. V.: The Armenians living on the island can be divided into three groups.

The first group is the group of Armenians of different generations. I don’t know the exact number, but I think there are about 200-300 people. There are no pure Armenians. Moreover, they don’t speak Armenian and don’t go to an Armenian church. Most of them are either Catholics or Protestants.

The second group is the group of Armenians from the Armenian Diaspora (about 40-50 people). Some of them are here temporarily, but the others have spouses who are citizens of Singapore.

The third group is the group of Armenians who are citizens of Armenia (about 25-30 people). They received an invitation to work in Singapore and now live there with their families.

NEWS.am: What are their professions?

V. V.: There are physics, chess coaches, several IT experts at banks, as well as teachers and businesspeople. I work in the sphere of international education.

NEWS.am: Is there an Armenian school in Singapore?

V. V.: There is no Armenian school, but we do have the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Church, which is the first and oldest church in Singapore. Interestingly, the number of Armenians visiting the church doesn’t exceed the number of seats in the church.

NEWS.am: How many seats are there?

V. V.: There are not more than 100 seats. Although the church hasn’t always been open for nearly 80 years, representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church visit and serve masses there twice or three times a year.

NEWS.am: Who covers the church’s expenses?

V. V.: The church is a national monument and is under the care of the government. The expenses are covered by the Armenians of Singapore and wealthy Armenians from the Armenian Diaspora.

NEWS.am: Could you tell us a little about the Armenian community? It’s a small community. How many Armenians are active members of the community?

V. V.: There are 30-40 active members. We gather several times a year, and in some cases, more often than that. We see new members from time to time because some Armenians live in Singapore temporarily. Some leave, and others arrive, but the church remains the center for preservation of the Armenian identity.

NEWS.am: There was a time when the Armenians of Singapore played an important role in the country’s development. The Brothers Sargis established The Raffles Hotel of Singapore, which is one of the world’s most famous hotels. Khachik Movses established The Straits Times, which is currently the most influential newspaper. Ashkhen Hovakimyan made the famous “Vanda Miss Joakim” type of orchid, which is the national flower of Singapore. There are also several Armenian jewelers. How was it that the Armenian community didn’t grow?

V. V.: During the Great Depression in the 1930s, some wealthy Armenians declared bankruptcy and failed to restore their financial positions. Others left the region during WWII and settled in different countries around the world, including Australia.

NEWS.am: Are there opportunities for the Armenians of Singapore to learn Armenian?

V. V.: We’re discussing the matter. For instance, Armenians from Armenia started learning Armenian at the Chinese International School last year. Generally speaking, as far as preservation of the language is concerned, a lot depends on the family. In my opinion, if parents speak to their children in the native language at home, the children won’t become detached from their national culture.

NEWS.am: Let’s talk about individuals. You and your daughter have been living in Singapore for nearly 7 years. Which language do you speak in?

V. V.: We only speak Armenian at home.

NEWS.am: How does she take foreign languages?

V. V.: Very well. I used to live and work in Beijing when Anna came. At the time, she was 6 years old. I sent her to a Chinese public school. She didn’t know a word in English or Chinese, but I decided to give it a try. Two months later, I was called and told that my daughter didn’t understand anything in class. I got worried and thought that she wasn’t capable of learning languages, but I decided to wait a little longer. I received another call a month later, but this time I was told that she kept talking in class and disturbing others. I was very surprised. When I asked them what language she would speak in, they told me she was speaking in Chinese. Over time, she also learned English. Now, she can speak both languages easily.

NEWS.am: This year Singapore is marking the 50^th anniversary of its independence. Will there be any event dedicated to the presence of Armenian culture and the Armenians who have been around for the past 200 years?

V. V.: There will be many interesting events dedicated to the anniversary, including events dedicated to the Armenian heritage. In addition, I would like to mention the fact that we will be celebrating the 180^th anniversary of consecration of the Armenian Church in May 2016.

Interview by Ani Afyan