State and national holidays of Armenia

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Undoubtedly, all people love the holidays. However, the importance of each of them for an individual may differ. The holidays also differ. For some people, such a day is an occasion to meet with relatives, for others it is an active holiday with friends, and still others are just waiting for a significant day to sleep, do important things or hobbies. A separate line in the general list of dates are marked not around the world, but in a single country. We will find out which holiday in Armenia is considered the most important today and is celebrated on a large scale.

Main dates

Of course, the mandatory days off for both Russia and any country that seceded from the former USSR are:

1. New Year.
2. Christmas.
3. February 23 and March 8.
4. May 1.
5. Victory Day.

There are also dates that are not distinguished asholidays, but also celebrated in most countries:

1. Theatre Day.
2. April Fool's Day.
3. Day of the border guard, chemical troops, tanker, artillery, reconnaissance troops, air defense, engineering troops.
4. Radio Day.
5. Children's Day.
6. Knowledge Day.
7. Professional holidays. Such as the Day of a he alth worker, a prosecutor's office worker, a builder, a rescuer, a lawyer, a teacher, an energy worker, a bank worker and so on.

In Armenia, the holidays, which are celebrated on certain days only in this country, amaze with their diversity. Consider the most important dates of this people in chronological order.

January

Of course, the first and most significant holiday in Armenia in 2019, as in the previous ones, is the New Year. In addition to the fact that this event is long in duration, it also gives a lot of hope for the future. Perhaps, not a single date is celebrated in such a related and homely way as the onset of the new year. The following days are added to this date, which are attributed to the pre-Christmas (January 3-5), Christmas (January 6) and All Souls' Day (January 7). These dates are familiar to us.

Not so long, but no less important is the state holiday of Armenia - Army Day, for which a non-working day is set aside on January 28th. This date was set in 2001, when the head of state signed a corresponding decree. The end of the month was not chosen by chance, since on this day in 1992 the Armenian army was officially created. This is an important day forcountries.

February

The holiday in Armenia, which has pagan roots, is celebrated on the 14th. In most countries of the world, it is called Valentine's Day, and in Armenia it is called Terendez.

It also has to do with lovers, but according to tradition, couples jump over the fire, and in terms of festivities, the holiday is slightly reminiscent of the Russian Maslenitsa. If the girl and the guy managed not to disengage their hands in a jump, then it is believed that the union will be strong. Since ancient times, after the youth, women jumped over the fire, who despaired of getting pregnant, and after that, all the remaining participants in the holiday. In Armenia, on this day, a liturgy is held in churches, after which young people planning to get married receive a blessing.

February 19 is marked by two events at once. Firstly, the Day of St. Sargis, who is the patron saint of lovers, is celebrated. Secondly, February 19 is the Book Giving Day, also indicated in the Armenian holiday calendar.

And at the end of the month there are two more significant dates. Armenian Language Day is celebrated on February 21. This date was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999. The purpose of the event was to ensure the promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. Since 2006, the date has been celebrated at the state level.

It is impossible to remove from the calendar of special dates and February 28, which is proclaimed as the Day of Remembrance for the victims of the pogroms in Sumgayit, Baku and Kirovabad, when Azerbaijanis staged riots aimed at harming the representatives of the Armenian diaspora. This is another important day for the country.

Vardanank –this is the national holiday of Armenia, in 2019, which was celebrated on February 28. However, this date is floating and can fall not only at the end of winter, but also in the first spring month. It comes eight weeks before Maundy Thursday, which happens a few days before Easter. On this day, Vardan Mamikonyan and 1036 of his comrades-in-arms, who fell in the struggle against the Persians for the freedom of their people, are remembered.

March

Holidays in Armenia this month, except March 8, fall in the last decade and are also international.

March 23 is World Meteorology Day. The date dates back to 1950, when the World Meteorological Organization was formed, and the first celebration took place 11 years later. On this day, WMO necessarily holds various promotional activities, which are necessarily picked up by the specialists of the Armenian meteorological community.

What holiday in Armenia can still be classified as international? Of course, World Theater Day, celebrated on March 27th. This is not only an international date, but also a professional holiday for actors, directors, ushers and all those whose activities are related to this type of art.

April

What important dates are celebrated this month? There is a special holiday in Armenia. April 7 is designated as Motherhood and Beauty Day. This date ends the month of praise and beauty, which began on March 8. It should be noted that as a result of the formation of an independent state, the country's government tried to replace the International Women'sday by this date. However, after some time, March 8 was returned to the calendar and the holiday celebrated in Armenia on April 7 was also left in the list of memorable dates.

From 4 to 11 Tumanyan Days are held in the country in honor of the great poet and native of Armenia Hovhannes Tumanyan. This week is rich in all sorts of literary events, ranging from reading competitions to the author's plays. A large number of places in the country are named after Tumanyan, schools and streets are named after him. Many monuments adorn squares and city parks.

What holiday in Armenia today, celebrated in April, is considered the main one at the state level? Of course, Police Day. On April 16, 2001, a normative act on the police was approved at the legislative level in the country. However, it was not included in the weekend calendar, like the International Day of Monuments and Historical Sites and the Day of the Border Guard, celebrated on April 18 and 26.

In the middle of spring, the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Genocide is also marked. April 24, 1915 was remembered by the Armenians as the date of the destruction of their intellectual elite. In Istanbul, about eight hundred people were arrested and later killed. After some time, the persecution was repeated. But April 24 remained in the memory of the people forever, since this day claimed the lives of half of the total number of Armenians living at that time all over the world.

May

What is especially remarkable among the dates of this month? Radio Day is that May holiday in Armenia, which came to the country from the Soviet past. On the 7th of this month, 1895, Alexander Stepanovich Popov first showedscientists how wireless registration of certain vibrations is carried out with a special receiving device.

Next in the Armenian calendar is Yerkrapah Day, or otherwise Volunteer Day, which was set for May 8 by President Robert Kocharian. It is dedicated to the capture by the Armenian troops of the city of Shushi, located in Nagorno-Karabakh.

You can also mark the May holidays in Armenia, which are no less important at the state level. This is Air Defense Day celebrated on the third Sunday, and World Museum Day on the 18th, and Victory Day in the Battle of Sardarapat on the 26th. The last holiday commemorates the victory of the Armenian troops in the battle that began on May 21 and ended on May 28 with the Turkish militias during the First World War.

Undoubtedly, the Day of the First Republic can be called the most important date. It is considered a public holiday. The Day of Armenia, when the republic was proclaimed, is celebrated on May 28. This event happened precisely thanks to the victory in the battle of Sardarapat.

June

From the church holidays of Armenia, one should be singled out, which is celebrated 64 days after Easter. Most often it falls in June and is called the Day of the Cathedral of Etchmiadzin. This place is the spiritual capital of the Armenians, and the cathedral itself houses such relics as the tip of the spear that pierced Jesus on the cross, a piece of Noah's Ark and the Cross of the Lord.

June 14th is the Day of Protection of the Rights of the Innocently Convicted, celebrated at the state level. The Dashnaktsutyun Party proposed to establish this memorable date in honor of the repressedpolitical motives of Armenians during the heyday of Bolshevism in the USSR. Even before the start of World War II, Armenians were forced to be resettled from Azerbaijan, Crimea and Armenia.

The country celebrates National Flag Day on June 15.

The third Sunday of the first summer month since 1997 is traditionally celebrated as Aviation Day. The date was chosen as a holiday by President Levon Ter-Petrosyan, who signed the relevant decree.

July

The Day of the Prosecutor's Office, although it is a working day, is annually celebrated as a professional holiday of all those who are related to it.

The first of the holidays this month, in which you do not need to work at the workplace, was Constitution Day, which fell on July 5th. It was on this day in 1995 that the main document of the country was approved by its inhabitants in a national referendum. The constitution has undergone major changes twice. In 2005, Armenia became a country with a semi-presidential form of government, and 10 years later, again after a referendum, it chose a gradual transition to a parliamentary republic. It was completed in 2018.

On the 98th day after Easter comes a serious date for all believing Armenians - Vardavar, or the Water Festival. In Armenia, on this day, special platforms are mounted in the center of cities where you can pour water on each other. There is also a dramatization of the end of the Flood, when doves are launched into the sky. According to legend, this is exactly what Noah did to find out if it was possible to go to land.

July 25 is a special date forof Armavir, as traditionally this day is the celebration dedicated to the City Day. Armavir received its name in the distant past, and during its existence it was both Sardarabad and Hoktemberyan. Only after the collapse of the USSR, the historical name was returned to the city.

August

The Armenian national holiday Navasard originates from August 11, 2492 BC. e. The same date was previously the first day of the new year, and it was from this date that the reckoning began in the country. According to legend, Hayk Nakhapet destroyed King Bel, thereby becoming the founder of the Armenian people. Another name for this holiday is National Identity Day. In addition, according to legend, on this day Noah offered a sacrifice to God for being delivered from the Flood.

Sunday, which falls in mid-August, is a great Christian day for Armenians. The Assumption and Ascension of the Mother of God to heaven is annually marked by a festive liturgy, after which the rite of blessing the grapes is performed. The fruit symbolizes Christ, so only from this day true believers can start eating it.

On the second Sunday of August, Russia and the post-Soviet space, including Armenia, celebrate the Builder's Day. Since the time of Khrushchev, this date has become a professional holiday for all workers in the construction industry.

Since 1999, on the last Sunday of August, Lake Sevan Day has been celebrated in Armenia. Although the main activities are related to the cleansing of the banks of this particular water body, enthusiasts are also carrying out other environmental activities regarding other natural monuments. Activists also pay a big role to popularizing their idea, expanding the boundaries of the holiday.

September

September starts with two professional dates, one of which is September 4th. On this day, since 2008, the Day of the Rescuer has been celebrated in Armenia. The selection of this date was initiated by the government of the country in order to indicate the importance of people in this profession, their well-coordinated work, and also to honor the memory of those who died in the performance of a labor feat. It was the identified difficulty in the interaction of rescuers from different directions during the earthquake in Spitak that gave impetus to the creation of rescue services throughout the USSR. On this day, contemporaries congratulate those involved in the holiday and remember their participation in the demining of the country in the 90s of the XX century.

The first Sunday of September is a significant date for both Russians and Armenians, and also for representatives of a number of countries that left the Soviet Union. On this day, workers in the gas and oil refining industry celebrate their professional holiday. Despite the fact that in some countries this date was abolished, Armenia left the Day of the Gasman and Oilman among the professional ones.

Also, the Day of Engineering Troops was established in Armenia on September 7, 2000 in honor of the end of the formation of this category of military servicemen.

From September 11, the period of Khachverats begins in the Christian traditions of Armenians. This date is marked on the calendar because of the joy experienced by believers after the return of a piece of the stolen Cross of the Lord. The operation was attended by Armenian soldiers whocarried it through Armenia and Constantinople to Jerusalem.

Independence Day, celebrated on September 21, is a non-working date. It was on this day that a referendum was held, which declared the independence of Armenia from the Soviet Union. Every year, military parades and other large-scale events are held in the center of Yerevan.

October

The month begins with Teachers' Professional Day, designated by UNESCO in 1994 and celebrated on October 5th.

Next, the following holidays can be distinguished:

1. Tankman's Day - October 8.
2. Chemical Forces Day - October 10.
3. Day of Rocket and Artillery Troops - October 19.

It is especially necessary to note the Day of the City of Yerevan, which is celebrated on October 10th. The capital of Armenia was founded in 782 BC. e. Since Armenians traditionally consider themselves to be cheerful people, there are a lot of entertainment events on this day.

In addition to concerts, the city organizes open-air theatrical performances and sports competitions. Be sure, in addition to the performance of folklore groups, pop stars are invited. Competitions and competitions with prizes are arranged for children. An important action is also a reminder to the living of the Armenian genocide, in connection with which exhibitions are functioning, the Tsitsernakaberd memorial complex is operating, archival documents are on display, testifying to the assistance provided by a number of states to the Armenians. Be sure to organize a fair on this daycrafts and a parade of watering equipment that traditionally washes away dirt from monuments and other architectural structures.

In mid-October, on Sunday, the village celebrates Harvest Day, which dates back to 2006, when the president paid a working visit to one of the cities of Armenia. Residents wished to treat the head of state and organized a whole exhibition of their works. Robert Kocharyan thanked the workers for the harvest. Since then, exhibitions with tasting of agricultural products have been held annually in many cities of the country.

Armenian Press Day is celebrated on October 16th. It was this date that marked the beginning of the publication of the first printed edition, called the Vestnik.

November

In 1992, the intelligence service of Armenia was formed. And November 5 became the Day of the reconnaissance troops. Talking about the significant dates of the last autumn month, one cannot fail to mention the Wine Festival.

In Armenia it is celebrated on November 7th. A wine festival is traditionally held. If at the very beginning of the celebration this event was typical only for one village of Areni, today it has spread throughout the country, which attracts a lot of tourists. The holiday includes acquaintance with grape varieties growing in the area, wine tasting, entertainment events, from performances of folk ensembles to exhibitions of works by artists and artisans. Workshops are held on cooking and drinks, guests are invited to build something with their own hands as a memory of the visitactivities.

An important church holiday is November 11, which marks the anniversary of the enthronement of Garegin II, the current Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians. In 1992, this great date became the day when the Supreme Authority of the Apostolic Church appointed Archbishop Garegin Nersesyan to this position.

Student's Day should also be noted, which Armenians, unlike Russians, celebrate on November 17, as in most countries of the world. The day of the military medical worker fell on the same date due to the fact that on November 17, 1992, the medical hospital of the Armed Forces of Armenia was officially established.

The professional holiday of a bank employee began to be celebrated on November 22, 1993, when the country's official currency, the dram, was put into circulation.

December

This month is not full of holidays. In December, you can celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which is celebrated on December 3 by the entire world community. December 7 is officially designated as the state date for the memory of the victims of the 1988 earthquake that occurred in northern Armenia. The intensity of the shocks reached 10 points, and the elements covered 40% of the territory of the republic, including Spitak, Stepanavan, Leninakan and Kirovakan that were completely destroyed.

National Security Officer's Day and Power Engineer's Day are two professional holidays that are celebrated on December 20 and 22, respectively, and end the year.

Many memorable and festive dates in Armenia are related not only to the country, but also to the world community or originate from the Soviet past. Also the Russiansthere are many significant days celebrated by their Armenian neighbors.