Armenian Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Armenia is a mountainous country in the South Caucasus, between the Black and Caspian Seas. In 301 AD it became the first nation to adopt Christianity as its state religion. There is a large Armenian diaspora around the world, and Armenians in Birmingham include families from Armenia, Iran, Syria, Lebanon and elsewhere.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 79 Birmingham residents described their ethnic group as Armenian.

Working for Birmingham

Armenians in Birmingham work in medicine, engineering, music, business and education, and Armenian families have a long tradition of trade and craftsmanship, including jewellery, a fitting skill in a city with its own Jewellery Quarter. Armenian students and professionals contribute to the city's universities and businesses.

Birmingham is one of the youngest and most diverse cities in Europe, and its progress has always depended on people who chose to make it home. Its hospitals, schools and universities, its building sites, workshops, warehouses and kitchens all rely on skills brought from around the world. The Armenian community adds its own share to that effort, and takes pride in giving back to the city that welcomed it.

Culture and community life

The Armenian Apostolic Church is at the heart of community life, and Christmas is celebrated on 6 January. The haunting sound of the duduk, a wooden flute, is loved around the world, and dishes such as dolma, khorovats and gata bread bring families together.

For anyone who wants to learn more, the best introduction is the simplest one: say hello. Birmingham's communities are at their best when they meet, share food and learn from one another, and the Armenian community is a warm part of that everyday exchange.