SOAR - Kiev Chapter
Armenians first appeared in Ukraine during the times of Kievan Rus. During the 10th century, individual Armenian merchants, mercenaries, and craftsmen served at the courts of various Ruthenian rulers. A larger wave of Armenians settled in southeastern Ukraine after the fall of the Armenian capital of Ani in the 11th century. They arrived mainly at the Crimean peninsula and established colonies in Kaffa, Sudak, and Solcati. Their numbers were further strengthened between the 12th and 15th centuries by Armenians fleeing from a Mongol invasion. This gave the peninsula the name Armenia Maritima in medieval chronicles. Smaller Armenian communities were later established in central Ukraine, including Kiev, and the western regions of Podolia and Halychyna.
During the Second World War (1944), Armenians were deported en masse along with Greeks, Bulgarians, and Tatars as an “anti-Soviet element” and allowed to return only in the 1960s. During Soviet rule Armenians came to Ukraine to work in the heavy industry located in the eastern parts of the country. Today, there are approximately 100,000 ethnic Armenians who live in Ukraine. The Armenian population in Ukraine has nearly doubled since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, largely due to instability in the Caucasus. Today, Ukraine is home to the 11th largest Armenian community in the world.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Marianna Asatryan
President
Marianna is an experienced international business professional with a
strong background in customer management. She holds a Master’s
degree in International Business Management from Kyiv National
Economic University and has built a career as a Customer Manager and a
representative of Ukraine in various international companies. Her
expertise in global markets and cross-cultural communication has shaped
her professional path, allowing her to thrive in diverse business
environments.
Committed to social impact, Marianna became part of the charitable
Ukrainian organization “Yijak” in 2022, further dedicating her efforts
to humanitarian causes during the war in Ukraine.
Beyond her career, Marianna is deeply family-oriented. She considers
her large family her greatest treasure. Passionate about exploring the
world, she enjoys traveling and learning about different religions and
traditions.
Marianna is dedicated to continuous growth, always eager to learn new
things and enhance her human capital. She believes in lifelong learning
as a key to both personal and professional development.
Marianna’s life is a blend of professional ambition, cultural curiosity, and
strong family values, making her a dynamic and inspiring individual.