While immigration policies can present a complex array of challenges for immigrants, one country stands out as a beacon of hope and compassion. Uruguay is known as one of the region’s most welcoming countries. Its strong sense of community, inclusiveness, and democratic values have made it a place where diversity can thrive.
Among those who found a new beginning in Uruguay were the Armenians. Arriving in the early 20th century as survivors of the Armenian Genocide, they came in search of shelter and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. They were welcomed not just as refugees, but as equal citizens.
Over the decades, the Armenian community became an integral part of Uruguay’s story, helping shape its cultural, educational, and professional landscape.
Land of Principles
There were fewer than a hundred Armenians who lived in Uruguay before 1915, and after the Armenian Genocide, that number began to grow. Thousands of survivors, displaced and searching for a place to start over, looked for refuge, and found one in Uruguay.
At the time, the country was led by President José Batlle y Ordóñez, whose administration embraced an open-door immigration policy rooted in human rights rather than political or economic interests. It was this rare display of openness and progressivism that made it possible for Armenians to begin anew.
Dr. Gustavo Zulamian, a respected Armenian Uruguayan scholar and historian based in Montevideo, is known for his book Entre la historia y la memoria: Los armenios de Marash en el Uruguay (Between History and Memory: The Armenians of Marash in Uruguay). He is a professor at the Catholic University of Uruguay, prominent voice in the community, and former Chair of AGBU Uruguay. Speaking about the arrival of Armenians in Uruguay, he notes that many of these newcomers arrived with different documents. Some carried passports from Lebanon or Syria, others from the newly formed Soviet Republic of Armenia. Many were stateless, traveling with Nansen passports. These international refugee documents, created by the League of Nations, were championed by Norwegian humanitarian Fridtjof Nansen, specifically for those with no nation to call home.
Uruguay’s support for the Armenian people continued throughout the years. In December 1920, during the 26th plenary session of the League of Nations, Uruguay voted in favor of admitting the short-lived Republic of Armenia as a member state. It was a symbolic act of solidarity, one made without political obligation, but purely on principle.
Five years later, President José Serrato formally authorized the entry of Armenians holding Nansen passports.
These early acts of welcome and recognition laid the groundwork for what would become a thriving Armenian community in Uruguay.
A Sense of Belonging
Armenians encountered support as they established themselves in Uruguay. When Uruguay celebrated the centenary of its Constitution in 1930, Armenian Uruguayans took part in the country’s festivities, offering a commemorative inscription to the government as a symbol of integration and loyalty.
Zulamian, puts it best: “The Armenians had arrived in a country where foreigners had the right to legal citizenship and where all religions were freely practiced. The separation of church and state provided the neutrality needed to allow all beliefs to coexist without pressure or discrimination.”
This new found agency allowed Armenians to build schools, churches, sports clubs, and cultural centers without any obstacle. The country allowed them to gain citizenship and start businesses. As Article 8 of the Uruguayan Constitution states: “All persons are equal before the law, recognizing no other distinction than that of talents and virtues.”
According to Zulamian, these weren’t just noble words, they were national policy.
Due Recognition
By the 1950s, the Armenian community in Uruguay had taken a step toward civic dignity. Many Armenians had been born in the Ottoman Empire, in cities like Urfa, Marash, and Aintab. However, official documents listed their place of birth simply as “Turkey,” which was not a representation of their ethnic identity or historical reality.
In 1953, Radio Armenia led a campaign to fix this misclassification by petitioning the electoral court to allow Armenians born in those cities to officially be recognized as Armenian rather than Turkish. The court approved the request, and Armenian Uruguayans were issued new citizenship documents that reflected both their ethnic identity and historical heritage. Their documents now read “Marash (or another city/town in Western Armenia), Armenia” instead of “Marash, Turkey.”
The early 1960s were a watershed moment. The Coordinating Committee of Armenian Youth Organizations of Uruguay was formed, and over time, grew into a collective platform for organizing events led by Armenian youth representing AGBU, ARF, Hunchakians, Armenian National Center of Uruguay, Armenian Ladies’ Benevolent Association, Uruguayan Armenian Cultural Exchange Institute, and others, as well as the Armenian churches. Despite differing political and ideological affiliations, these groups came together around shared goals. In 1964, they organized a unified commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, with the first March of Silence, followed by a second on the 50th anniversary of the Genocide in 1965, the year Uruguay became the first country in the world to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.
From Refugees to Role Models
Zulamian notes that El Cerro, a district known for its immigrants was the neighborhood where Armenians first arrived. In this district, they established a community house that served both as a school and church—marking the foundation of the first Armenian institutions in the country.
Many Armenians there worked in meatpacking plants and later shoemaking became another trade, as they brought skills from their hometowns, or the orphanages they stayed in across the Middle East.
Several Armenian families also became involved in radio broadcasting. One notable example is the Rupenian family, who ran Radio Armenia and led the market with CX50 Radio Independencia and, later, Concierto FM. Today there are two Armenian radio stations: Radio Gomidas and Radio Arax.
Armenians excelled in academia as well. Two prominent figures include Roberto Markarian, who served as rector of the University of the Republic, and Dora Bagdasarian, who served as dean of its Law School. Today, Isabelle Chaquiriand is the dean of the School of Business at the Catholic University of Uruguay.
In the decades following their arrival, Armenian Uruguayans went from being newcomers to active citizens. They held positions in government, including roles within Uruguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Zulamian notes: “Uruguayan presidents have either spoken publicly or issued statements regarding the Armenian Cause. But more important than government declarations is the stance of the Uruguayan people themselves. They have always stood in solidarity with Armenians, treating them as fellow citizens, not only supporting the Armenian Cause but also condemning the actions of the Azeris and Turks.”
We must educate youth with the values of unity, open dialogue, and civic participation, especially given the complexities of today’s international landscape.
He also speaks about Nerses Ounanian, born in Adapazar, Turkey in 1924. He became one of Uruguay’s most renowned visual artists. One of Ounanian’s most famous works is part of Montevideo’s public sculpture collection. It depicts a nude female figure, resting on her knees with arms raised in a gesture of despair—a tribute to the Armenian martyrs of the Genocide.
His artistic legacy is preserved by the Uruguayan State and housed in the Museum of Visual Arts. In honor of his contributions, the street in front of the Surp Nerses Shnorhali Church was named after him—Nerses Ounanian Street. This decision was made by the Municipality of Montevideo.
Promoting Armenian Culture
The AGBU Uruguay chapter was established in 1938 by survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Since then, it has played a central role in promoting education, culture, and prosperity for all Armenians. Chapter Chair José Geozucaraian, describes their work as a form of “educational diplomacy.” “We’ve worked not just within the Armenian community,” he explains, “but to bring Armenian educational and cultural values to Uruguayan society as a whole.”
Among its many contributions, AGBU Uruguay has quietly but powerfully connected education, diplomacy, and identity. One of its most impactful initiatives has been forging official partnerships between Uruguay’s Ministry of Education and Armenia’s Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.
Thanks to AGBU’s efforts, the Armenian language has been formally included in the curriculum of two public schools in Uruguay. According to Javier Polatian, Director of Educational Affairs at AGBU Uruguay, this initiative represents an unprecedented acknowledgment of minority language rights within a national education system.
“To support this,” Geozucaraian adds, “AGBU worked with the government to publish Luys yev Armen, a series of Armenian-language coursebooks specifically designed for non-native speakers, making the language both accessible and institutionally recognized.”
AGBU also collaborated with the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in Yerevan to help develop a national education plan on the Armenian Genocide for Uruguay’s public schools.
Recently, the organization has expanded its mission of empowerment through AGBU EmpowerHer. With the support of Uruguay’s education authorities, the program empowered 200 Armenian women in rural areas by providing them with English-language training.
“This created new opportunities for employment and leadership,” Polatian reflects. “We believe that education is the most enduring form of prosperity.”
In 2021, AGBU Uruguay and the National Administration of Public Education signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen educational and cultural ties as part of the Uruguay Plurilingual 2030 initiative.
The AGBU Young Professionals of Montevideo is another key entity under the AGBU umbrella, playing an important role in many of the initiatives above mentioned. Ari Chamlian, Chair of YP Montevideo, explained: “The Armenian youth in Uruguay are the future of our community. Our committee is actively involved in all these initiatives, and we’re here to learn, to serve, and to ensure that our culture and values are carried forward with pride.”
Another institution is the Nersesian School, which operates under the Diocese of the Armenian Church in Uruguay. Religious life also plays a vital role in the community, with other churches including the Armenian Catholic Church (Our Lady of Bzommar), the Armenian Evangelical Brotherhood Church, and the First Armenian Evangelical Church of Uruguay affiliated with the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA).
Equally noteworthy is the wide network of Armenian organizations that remain highly active and deeply engaged in Uruguayan society. These groups contribute across cultural, educational, and social spheres. Among them are the Armenian Compatriotic Unions of Marash and Yozgat, the Armenian National Center of Uruguay, the Hunchakian Armenian House, Hamazkayin, the Armenian Relief Society (HOM), the Armenian Ladies’ Benevolent Association, the National Commission of Armenia Square and Armenia Promenade, and the Uruguay-Armenia Cultural Association, among many others.
A Dual Identity
Both Geozucaraian and Zulamian emphasize the vital importance of passing on a strong dual identity to the next generation, one that is proudly Armenian and proudly Uruguayan.
“Our ancestors came here fleeing genocide,” Geozucaraian reflects. “They were searching for peace, and for a place where they could preserve and develop their identity. Uruguay allowed them to do that. And still does.”
They were searching for peace, and for a place where they could preserve and develop their identity. Uruguay allowed them to do that. And still does.
Looking ahead, he envisions the future of the community in universalizing Armenian values, integrating young people into meaningful educational programs, and empowering them to become global citizens and agents of change for Armenia. He goes on to say, “We must educate youth with the values of unity, open dialogue, and civic participation, especially given the complexities of today’s international landscape.”
Zulamian echoes this vision, stressing that the survival and strength of the Armenian-Uruguayan identity depend on clarity and consistency: “We must educate our youth with a vision and a dual identity. If this is not clearly understood and firmly upheld, no project can endure over time.”
Uruguay’s Minister of Education and Culture, Pablo da Silveira, expressed similar sentiments in a public statement following the 2021 cooperation agreement with AGBU Uruguay: “Agreements like this help Uruguayan society become more aware of its own richness, which comes from the contributions of the many communities that came here to stay. The Armenian diaspora living in Uruguay can feel that it has fully achieved the ideal of a successful migration—that feeling of being 100% Armenian and 100% Uruguayan.”
In an uncommon example of inclusion, Uruguay offered Armenians tools instead of pity, and participation instead of charity which laid the foundation for justice fulfilled. The story of Armenian Uruguayans is proof that the power of a state is not measured by how it treats the powerful, but by how it uplifts its people.
How Uruguay’s own embattled history informed its humanity
With a current population of around 3.34 million people, Uruguay—a small South American country nestled between Argentina and Brazil—is known today for its political stability, progressive policies, and democratic institutions. But behind its quiet strength lies a complex history of lucha (struggle) and resilience that has helped shape the country’s profound humanidad (humanity) and empathy toward minorities. Born from contested borders and constant battles for autonomy, Uruguay learned early that survival depended not on domination, but on fairness, compromise, and solidarity.
The First Inhabitants
Before European arrival, the territory was home to an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 semi-nomadic indigenous peoples—the Charrúa, Guaraní, and Chaná. Fishing, hunting, and gathering defined their way of life and their deep connection to the land. In 1516, Spanish navigator Juan Díaz de Solís became the first European to explore Uruguay, only to be killed soon after by local warriors. Sustained Indigenous resistance, the lack of gold or silver, and the inability to enslave the native population delayed European settlement for more than a century.
Montevideo’s Rise
The Portuguese established Colônia do Sacramento across the river from Buenos Aires in 1680, setting off conflicts with Spain for control of the region. To secure its hold, the Spanish founded Montevideo in 1726, which grew into a vital military and commercial port—and later the nation’s capital.
Quest for Freedom
Uruguay’s fight for independence began in 1811 amid rivalries between Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Brazil. National hero José Gervasio Artigas led a federalist movement advocating autonomy and land reform, inspiring a sense of collective identity even as he was forced into exile. After years of conflict and Brazilian occupation, Uruguay declared independence in 1825. British mediation formalized its sovereignty in 1828, creating a buffer state between its two powerful neighbors.
Strife and Strength
Despite a constitution in 1830, the 19th century was marked by internal political conflict between rival groups—the Colorados and Blancos—which frequently resulted in civil wars. Despite the instability, Uruguay began to modernize, adopting democratic reforms and expanding civil liberties.
Social Progress
The early 20th century brought a golden era under President José Batlle y Ordóñez, whose reforms transformed Uruguay into one of the world’s most socially advanced countries. Labor rights, universal suffrage, secular education, and welfare programs reshaped society and embedded compassion, fairness, and civic duty into Uruguay’s national identity. These reforms created a culture where the dignity of minorities—whether immigrants from Europe, Jews fleeing persecution, or Armenians rebuilding after genocide—could be recognized and protected.
Dictatorship vs Democracy
In 1973, President Juan María Bordaberry, supported by the military, dissolved Parliament to suppress unrest and guerrilla movements like the Tupamaros. The dictatorship ruled through censorship and repression until 1985, when domestic resistance and international pressure restored democracy.
A Modern Beacon
Today, Uruguay is celebrated for progressive laws, inclusive policies, and a high quality of life. Leaders like José Mujica, who served from 2010 to 2015, became global symbols of humility and social equity. Despite its small size, Uruguay has consistently punched above its weight—whether by pioneering social reforms, offering asylum to exiles, or becoming the first country to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. Its history of lucha has given rise to a national ethos of humanidad—a legacy of empathy that makes Uruguay a steadfast friend to Armenians and to minorities everywhere.
