SOAR - Cyprus Chapter
SOAR-Cyprus joined the SOAR family in April 2018. The relationship of Armenians with Cyprus and their presence on the island is very old, and they have shared a mutual economic and cultural association for many centuries. Armenians in Cyprus have a structured community with a long history, and their presence has enriched the island in several ways. They are a recognized minority with their own language, schools, churches, cemeteries, monuments, information media, social institutions, customs, traditions, and cultural life.
During the Middle Ages, Cyprus had an extensive connection with the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. More recently, the short-lived National Educational Orphanage and the Melkonian Educational Institute were very influential, as was the presence of the Armenian Legion in Cyprus. Cyprus was the first country to bring the issue of the Armenian Genocide recognition to the plenary session of the United National General Assembly in 1965 and the second country in the world to recognize the Armenian Genocide in 1975.
Currently, Armenians in Cyprus maintain a notable presence of about 3,500 on the island, mostly centered in the capital Nicosia, but also in Larnaca and Limassol, where they have churches, schools, associations, cemeteries, and monuments. There is also a small unstructured Armenian community in Paphos. The Armenian Prelate of Cyprus is located in Nicosia.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Laura Melkonian
President
Laura Melkonian is a Greek-born Armenian author and musician with a deep passion for storytelling. Writing since the age of 13, she made her debut with Become Korean in 6 Months, a romance novel filled with intrigue and drama, set against the vibrant backdrop of Seoul.
Fluent in Greek, English, and Armenian, with intermediate Korean and beginner Russian, Laura’s love for languages and cultures influences her work. She recently launched her first song, Ghosted at Dawn, expanding her creative journey into music.
An avid traveler and book lover, Laura is passionate about mythology, psychology, and art—especially the works of Van Gogh. Through her writing and music, she explores themes of identity, destiny, and self-discovery, captivating audiences worldwide.