The Armenian-Swedish Connection: A Remarkable Legacy of Diplomacy and Scholarship

Sweden and Armenia may seem like two distant and unrelated countries, but they share a remarkable legacy of diplomatic and scholarly ties that date back to the 18th century. This legacy is largely due to the contributions of a few Armenian families who served the Swedish crown and enriched the European culture with their knowledge of the Ottoman Empire and the East.

The Mouradgea d’Ohsson Family

One of the most prominent Armenian-Swedish families was the Mouradgea d’Ohsson family, whose original name was Mouradgian. The founder of this family was Hovhannes Mouradgian, who was born in Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1704. He was a Catholic Armenian who spoke several languages, including Turkish, Arabic, Persian, and French. He became the chief interpreter at the Swedish Embassy in Constantinople in 1733, and held this key position for 35 years. He was highly respected by the Swedish diplomats and the Ottoman authorities, and played an important role in facilitating the relations between the two powers. He also amassed a considerable fortune and a large library of Oriental manuscripts and books.

Hovhannes Mouradgian had two sons, Ignatius and Abraham, who followed his footsteps and entered the Swedish diplomatic service. Ignatius Mouradgian was born in 1740 and received a thorough education in Oriental languages and sciences. He became the supreme interpreter at the Swedish Embassy in 1768, and was later appointed as the minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary. He also received the Swedish nobility title of Mouradgea d’Ohsson, which was a French adaptation of his Armenian name. He was a prolific writer and a renowned orientalist, who published several books on the history, religion, and customs of the Ottoman Empire. His most famous work was the Tableau Général de l’Empire Othoman, a monumental and comprehensive account of the Ottoman state and society, based on his personal observations and extensive research. This work was highly praised by his contemporaries and influenced many European scholars and statesmen.

Abraham Mouradgian was born in 1751 and also became an interpreter and a diplomat. He served as the Swedish consul in Aleppo, Syria, and later as the secretary of the Swedish Embassy in Constantinople. He also changed his name to Mouradgea d’Ohsson and was ennobled by the Swedish king. He was interested in natural sciences and mathematics, and wrote several essays on these subjects. He also collected a large number of Oriental manuscripts and books, which he donated to the Royal Library of Sweden.

Ignatius Mouradgea d’Ohsson had a son, Abraham Constantin Mouradgea d’Ohsson, who was born in Constantinople in 1779. He was educated in Sweden and became a distinguished diplomat and historian. He served as the Swedish minister in various European countries, such as Spain, Holland, and Germany. He also wrote a famous History of the Mongols, which was based on his father’s manuscripts and other sources. He was an expert on the history and culture of the East, and was a member of several learned societies and academies.

The Anastasi Family

Another Armenian-Swedish family that made significant contributions to the diplomatic and cultural relations between Sweden and the East was the Anastasi family. The founder of this family was Jean Anastasi, who was born in Damascus, Syria, in 1780. He was a wealthy Armenian merchant who traded in various goods, such as silk, cotton, coffee, and spices. He also spoke several languages, including Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Greek, and French. He became the Swedish consul general in Egypt in 1828, and held this position until his death in 1857. He was a close friend and adviser of Muhammad Ali Pasha, the ruler of Egypt, and helped to promote the Swedish interests and influence in the region. He also collected a large number of Oriental antiquities, manuscripts, and books, which he sold or donated to various European museums and libraries.

Jean Anastasi had two sons, Auguste and Gustave, who also served as Swedish consuls in Egypt. Auguste Anastasi was born in 1812 and became the Swedish consul in Alexandria in 1844. He was a keen collector and scholar of Oriental art and literature, and published several books and articles on these topics. He also donated many of his collections to the Royal Library of Sweden and the Louvre Museum in Paris. Gustave Anastasi was born in 1820 and became the Swedish consul in Cairo in 1848. He was also interested in Oriental studies and archaeology, and participated in several expeditions and excavations in Egypt and the Near East. He also acquired and sold many Oriental artifacts and manuscripts, some of which are now in the British Museum and the Vatican Library.

Conclusion

The Armenian-Swedish connection is a remarkable example of how a small and dispersed ethnic group can play a significant role in the history and culture of two different regions. The Armenian families who served the Swedish crown and enriched the European culture with their knowledge of the Ottoman Empire and the East were not only loyal and talented diplomats, but also avid and generous collectors and scholars of Oriental art and literature. Their legacy is still visible and valuable in the museums and libraries of Sweden and other European countries.

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Learn more

1. en.wikipedia.org
2. fr.wikipedia.org