Haig Arslanian (1927-2011)
Haig Arslanian was born in Aleppo on March 29, 1927. His roots go back to the town of Aintep, Cilicia. After graduating from the Mkhitarian School, together with his brother, Melankton, he began working at a textile factory and at the same time became one of its shareholders. In 1944, he moved to Lebanon together with his family. In 1951, Haig went to South Africa where, in 1952, together with his brother, he founded a diamond and jewelry production company. At the age of 27, he became well known in numerous countries thanks to his active career and received unprecedented rights in the diamond trade. In 1958, he married Shakeh and together they had four children, Armen, Shaheh, Vicken, and Sandra. In 1962, the Arslanian brothers founded the Corporation Arslanian Brothers in Antwerp, Belgium, which has its representative offices and factories in many cities in Africa, Latin America, Canada, and Australia. Having built strong bonds with some African countries, Haig Arslanian supported the development and progress of those countries. In 1992, he founded the Lori factory in Armenia. The role played by Haig Arslanian and his son Shaheh is great in the revival of the diamond industry in Armenia. It is thanks to the Lori factory’s success that today Armenia is known as an international center in the diamond industry. Since 1994 Mr. Arslanian gained the title of Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of Belgium. From 1999 and until 2006 he was president of the Union of Armenian Goldsmiths. Haig Arslanian is a major benefactor in Armenia and the diaspora. It is thanks to his benevolence that several schools and churches have been built in Armenia. He has been awarded the honor of Prince of Cilicia by His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II of Cilicia. Former Armenia president Robert Kocharian awarded him the medal of Anania Shiragatsi.