Armenian Street is a narrow street within the city of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. Located within the city's UNESCOWorld Heritage Site, the road has gained popularity in recent years for its rich cultural offerings and street art.[1][2]
One of the handful of places in the world that was named after the nation-state of Armenia, Armenian Street was originally part of a Malay settlement. The subsequent influx of Armenians and Chinese helped to shape the street's multicultural character. Notably, Armenian Street was also the site of Sun Yat-sen's Penang conference, which ultimately contributed to the downfall of the Qing Empire in 1911.
Today, Armenian Street is home to the famous 'Children on a Bicycle' mural by Ernest Zacharevic and various other forms of street art, as well as Chinese clan houses, museums, and shophouses that sell antiques and souvenirs.[3][4]
The Sun Yat-sen Museum was launched in 2002 in honour of Sun Yat-sen, who planned the overthrow of the Qing Empire within this building.Umbrella alley at Armenian Street
Originally, Armenian Street was called Malay Lane, after a Malay settlement that used to exist around the area.[5] The Malay influences can still be seen to this day, particularly along the westernmost section of Armenian Street, where the Penang Islamic Museum is located.
By 1808, the street was renamed as Armenian Street due to the influx of Armenian traders who resided along the road. The Armenians went on to establish St. Gregory's Church within George Town in 1822, while the Sarkies Brothers founded the Eastern & Oriental Hotel in the 1880s. The Armenian presence was short-lived, however, as most of the Armenians had already left by the time the church was demolished in 1937.
The Chinese gradually took over most of Armenian Street around the mid 19th century and built clan houses, such as the Khoo Kongsi, within the vicinity of the road. Concurrently, Armenian Street became notorious for Chinese triad activities, with the Hokkien-dominated Khian Teik Society establishing itself along the road. As a result, Armenian Street witnessed heavy fighting during the 1867 Penang Riots, where the British authorities, reinforced with sepoys, built blockades and used force to quell the turf war between rival Chinese and Malay secret societies.
In 1910, Sun Yat-sen chaired the Penang conference within a townhouse at Armenian Street, during which he managed to raise $8,000 for revolutionary activities in China against the ruling Qing dynasty.[6] The townhouse has since been converted into the Sun Yat-sen Museum, which became one of the filming locations for the Chinese movie, Road to Dawn.
^"Dr Sun Yat Sen: A revolutionist who will forever be remembered". www.thesundaily.my. Retrieved 2017-02-17.
October 30, 2023
armenian, street, george, town, 4147444, 338111, 4147444, 338111armenian, streetnative, namemalay, lebuh, armenian, simplified, chinese, 本头公巷, traditional, chinese, 打铜仔街, simplified, chinese, 本頭公巷, traditional, chinese, 打銅仔街, tamil, ஆர, யன, maintained, bypenan. 5 24 53 08 N 100 20 17 2 E 5 4147444 N 100 338111 E 5 4147444 100 338111Armenian StreetNative nameMalay Lebuh Armenian Simplified Chinese 本头公巷 traditional Chinese 打铜仔街 Simplified Chinese 本頭公巷 traditional Chinese 打銅仔街 Tamil ஆர ம ன யன வ த Maintained byPenang Island City CouncilLocationGeorge Town PenangWest endAcheen StreetEast endBeach StreetConstructionInauguration1808LEBUH ARMENIANArmenian St 10200 P PINANGUNESCO World Heritage SiteTypeCulturalCriteriaii iii ivDesignated2008 32nd session Part ofGeorge Town UNESCO Core ZoneReference no 1223RegionAsia PacificArmenian Street is a narrow street within the city of George Town in Penang Malaysia Located within the city s UNESCO World Heritage Site the road has gained popularity in recent years for its rich cultural offerings and street art 1 2 One of the handful of places in the world that was named after the nation state of Armenia Armenian Street was originally part of a Malay settlement The subsequent influx of Armenians and Chinese helped to shape the street s multicultural character Notably Armenian Street was also the site of Sun Yat sen s Penang conference which ultimately contributed to the downfall of the Qing Empire in 1911 Children on a Bicycle by Ernest Zacharevic Today Armenian Street is home to the famous Children on a Bicycle mural by Ernest Zacharevic and various other forms of street art as well as Chinese clan houses museums and shophouses that sell antiques and souvenirs 3 4 The Sun Yat sen Museum was launched in 2002 in honour of Sun Yat sen who planned the overthrow of the Qing Empire within this building Umbrella alley at Armenian StreetContents 1 History 2 Landmarks 3 See also 4 ReferencesHistory edit nbsp Penang Islamic MuseumOriginally Armenian Street was called Malay Lane after a Malay settlement that used to exist around the area 5 The Malay influences can still be seen to this day particularly along the westernmost section of Armenian Street where the Penang Islamic Museum is located By 1808 the street was renamed as Armenian Street due to the influx of Armenian traders who resided along the road The Armenians went on to establish St Gregory s Church within George Town in 1822 while the Sarkies Brothers founded the Eastern amp Oriental Hotel in the 1880s The Armenian presence was short lived however as most of the Armenians had already left by the time the church was demolished in 1937 The Chinese gradually took over most of Armenian Street around the mid 19th century and built clan houses such as the Khoo Kongsi within the vicinity of the road Concurrently Armenian Street became notorious for Chinese triad activities with the Hokkien dominated Khian Teik Society establishing itself along the road As a result Armenian Street witnessed heavy fighting during the 1867 Penang Riots where the British authorities reinforced with sepoys built blockades and used force to quell the turf war between rival Chinese and Malay secret societies In 1910 Sun Yat sen chaired the Penang conference within a townhouse at Armenian Street during which he managed to raise 8 000 for revolutionary activities in China against the ruling Qing dynasty 6 The townhouse has since been converted into the Sun Yat sen Museum which became one of the filming locations for the Chinese movie Road to Dawn Landmarks edit Children on a Bicycle wall mural by Ernest Zacharevic Sun Yat sen Museum Penang Islamic MuseumSee also edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lebuh Armenian Penang List of roads in George Town Architecture of PenangReferences edit Yeoh Winnie Couple tells story behind Zacharevic s famous mural on Armenian Street Nation The Star Online Retrieved 2017 02 17 Penang island swamped by holiday crowds Community The Star Online www thestar com my Retrieved 2017 02 17 Lebuh Armenian Time Out Penang Retrieved 2017 02 17 Eckhardt Robyn 2012 02 09 36 Hours Penang Malaysia The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved 2017 02 17 Khoo Salma Nasution 2007 Streets of George Town Penang Penang Malaysia Areca Books ISBN 9789839886009 Dr Sun Yat Sen A revolutionist who will forever be remembered www thesundaily my Retrieved 2017 02 17 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Armenian Street George Town amp oldid 1158460987, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
