Armenians in Lithuania

Armenians in Lithuania (Հայերը Լիտվայում) refers to ethnic Armenians living in Lithuania.

According to the Lithuanian census of 2011 there were 1,233 Armenians in Lithuania. Armenian organizations put the number around 2,500. According to Soviet 1989 census there are 1,655 Armenians in Lithuania. The Armenians live mainly in Vilnius.

History
In the Late Middle Ages, Armenians inhabited the cities of Kyiv, Włodzimierz, Krzemieniec and Łuck in the southern part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. First Armenians in Vilnius were noted in 1501. Armenians from Kyiv served as translators of Lithuanian envoys to the Tatar khans in the 16th century. After the main centers of Armenians in Lithuania passed to Poland within the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the settlement of Armenians in Lithuania was of an episodic nature and was due mainly to the needs of trade, although from the historical sources it is known, that Armenian school was established in 16th century Vilnius, Armenian guild in the 16th to 18th centuries Vilnius. One of the most prominent painter of the 19th century in Lithuania was Jan Rustem (Armenian: Յան Ռուստամ).

Demographics
The roots of the Armenian community now living in Lithuania traces back to migration occurring in the 20th century.

Community members estimated their count at 2500 in 2001.

Recent developments
An Armenian community center was opened in year 2000.

A Khachkar was erected in the Hill of crosses in 2001 and in the center of Kaunas in 2004.

An Armenian church St. Vardan was opened in Vilnius in 2006.

In 2011 Armenian Embassy in Lithuania was opened. Updates on Armenian cultural events in Lithuania can be found on twitter page of Armenian Ambassador to Lithuania.

Famous Lithuanian Armenians

 * Seržas Gandžumianas, a famous designer
 * Marat Sargsyan, a TV host and film-maker