SOAR - Bucharest Chapter
Bucharest joined the SOAR family in May 2019. In Bucharest, an Armenian presence was first recorded in the second half of the 14th century – most likely immigrants from the Balkans and from the area around Kamianets-Podilskyi. After the Armenian Genocide, Romania was the first state to officially provide political asylum to refugees from the area. In 1940, about 40,000 Armenians lived in Romania. Under communist rule, Armenians started to leave the country, and Nicolae Ceausescu’s regime eventually closed all Armenian schools. Since 1989, there has been an Armenian cultural and political revival in Romania. As of 2002, there were 1,780 Armenians living in Romania. There is one Armenian church in Bucharest on what is called Strada Armenească (“Armenian Street”). Beside the church is a two-story cultural center with the first floor being a library of Armenian books and the second floor a museum. The present community is being reinforced by Eastern Armenians immigrating from Armenia or by Armenian students coming to study in Romania.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Mari Barbu
President
Mari Barbu is Armenian by origin — although she wasn’t born in Armenia, she grew up there, and her cultural roots are a meaningful part of who she is. She is an English teacher and UI/UX designer, passionate about education, creativity, and community involvement.
Mari has a strong background in volunteering, including one year of voluntary service in Bulgaria, where she taught English to children in both a school and a kindergarten. During that time, she also participated in numerous workshops and training programs focused on non-formal education, intercultural communication, and youth engagement.
Mari is excited to be involved in the SOAR Chapter in Bucharest and is looking forward to contributing by connecting with others, helping to organize local initiatives, and supporting the mission of the organization in any way she can.