|
Respected Citizens:
|
||
The Armenian Apostolic Church of St Gregory the Illuminator (Singapore). |
IntroductionArmenians are one of the most scattered races in the world. Whether enticed by better prospects elsewhere or forced to flee by conquest, they have put down roots in many new lands. When conditions for some Armenians long domiciled in Persia became untenable, they looked for new homes, turning towards India and later, Penang and Singapore. Although fewer than 830 Armenians ever lived in Singapore and Malaysia, they played a significant role in the social, civic and economic life of the early British trading settlements in both countries. Their achievements were quite incommensurate with their minute numbers. Not only did Armenian become respected citizens during their lifetimes, but four of Singapore’s icons owe their existence to them: the Straits Times newspaper, the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, Raffles Hotel and the Church of St Gregory. Based on extensive research from newspapers, church, cemetery and official records, interviews with Armenians and their descendants, this seminal book by Nadia Wright provides a documented social history of this hitherto neglected minority. Author: Nadia H Wright Paperback
Top
Visitors since August 2004 -
|
Post Publication News Following requests from families researching their family history, our web site now lists:
Calcutta: A new book
This book traces the origins of Singapore’s national
flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim using contemporary source
materials. As an adjunct, the lives of Agnes Joaquim (Ashkhen
Hovakimian) who hybridised the orchid, and Henry Ridley,
who published the first account of it, are described
within their Singapore context. The creative team who designed our book Respected Citizens have launched a new web site: www.studio131.net Stunning images of Singapore orchids are now available on Robert L. Lancione's web gallery. |
Respected
Citizens:
|
||
|
Copyright Amassia Publishing 2006 |