SOAR - Vienna Chapter
Vienna joined the SOAR family in May 2018. The history of Armenians in Austria dates back to Vienna’s liberation from the Turkish siege at the end of the 17th century, when several Armenian merchants found a new market in the Habsburg Empire. In the beginning of the 19th century, Austrian Armenians enjoyed their status as an autonomous religious community. The Armenian community in Vienna grew constantly, so that by 1896 the first efforts were made to found an Armenian-Apostolic community. After the appointment of the first Armenian pastor in Vienna in the 1920s, the number of Armenians in Austria continued to grow, boosted by refugees from Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and, most recently, the Republic of Armenia. In 1968, the Soorp Hripsime Armenian Apostolic Church of Vienna was consecrated, giving a new impetus to the ever growing Armenian community in Austria. There are approximately 3,000 Armenians in Vienna today.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Sose Kharatyan
President
Originally from Lori, Armenia, Sose holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from MGIMO University in Moscow and completed my studies in Diplomacy at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. Her academic and professional interests focus on conflict and security, international law, international organizations, diplomatic protocol, and public diplomacy. Now based in Vienna, Sose writes about political and security developments in the South Caucasus and the Middle East, through research papers and analytical articles.
Sose is genuinely excited to join the SOAR Vienna Chapter and become part of a community that works to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children. She hopes to contribute to its mission with her time, energy, and heart, and, in whatever way she can, bring a little more warmth, inspiration into the lives of as many children as possible.