Thought you knew nothing about Armenia? Think again – here are five of their most famous people (Note: includes two fictitious characters).
By Sean Nolan
Armenia, a country that almost nobody in Ireland could pick out on a map, is causing grown men to fret about the fate of our football team tonight. With a population of less than three million, we should be crushing them under our Adidas Predators but instead we have them built up as a combination of Barcelona and Brazil circa 1970.
In the mood of optimism we are trying to cling onto today, we decided to look at some famous Armenians, to gauge the strength of the nation. The fact that two are fictional tells you all you need to know.
Armin Tamzarian
Better known to you and me as Principal Skinner, Bart Simpson’s arch enemy was born Armin Tamzarian, a street punk of Armenian descent, but after returning from Vietnam he borrowed his former commander’s name and life and went on to teach at Springfield Elementary. Some have pegged this episode, The Principal and the Pauper, first aired in 1997, as the beginning of the end for The Simpsons. The fact it is still around, and with at least two more years to go proves otherwise.
Capt. John Joseph Yossarian
The central character in Joseph Heller’s Catch 22, Yossarian is an Armenian-American fighter pilot in World War II who is desperate to get out of the war as he is convinced he is going to be killed either by the enemy or his own incompetent commanders, and his attempts to avoid both these fates is forever channeled into impossible situations, or Catch-22s. The book, 50 years old this week, is based on Heller’s own experiences in the war, and is a brilliant examination of the pointlessness and waste of war.
Cher
Almost a fictional character at this stage due to the amount of surgery she has undergone, Cher was born Cherilyn Sarkisian in 1946. Her dad was Armenian American but she soon dropped everything and became known as just Cher. Most interesting thing about Cher? She is just a Tony award away from completing the EGOT, Tracy Jordan’s goal in 30 Rock. Cher has an Emmy, an Oscar and a Golden Globe.
Kim Kardashian
Another Armenian-American, the reality star and model is somehow a global superstar. Without any discernible talent, bar a larger than average arse, Kardashian is estimated to be worth more than $50million. It all started, as all good stories do, with a sex tape released in 2007. Her surname means ‘son of a stonemason’ in Armenian .
Henrik Mkhitaryan
Maybe not that well known but he is the Armenian dangerman tonight. Playing for Shakhtar Donetsk, the 22-year-old is very talented forward who likes to drop off the front and probe defences. He has five goals in this campaign so far and his speed and skill could cause problems. It is up to the Irish defence to ensure he remains unknown for a little longer tonight.
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